Rons Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 30: A vibrant display of cultural unity and service spirit marked the silver jubilee of Sharada Pooja by Charkop Kannadiga Balaga, Kandivali (Regd.), held with grandeur on Sunday at the Arya Samaj Banquet Hall, Dayanand School, Charkop, Kandivali (West).

Surya Kant J Suvarna, executive chairman of Bharat Bank, inaugurated the ceremony by lighting the lamp on the late M. Seetharam Rao Vedike and extended Dasara greetings.

Reflecting on the Balaga’s journey, he remarked, “The rise of an organisation from its inception to a youthful, thriving force shows the depth of its commitment. Over two and a half decades of consistent religious, cultural, and social service have earned it the community’s respect. May the Balaga continue to shine as a beacon of selfless service in the years ahead.”

The event was conducted under the leadership of president Ravindra M Shetty and presided over by Mundappa S Paiyade, chairman of the fundraising committee of Bunts Sangha Mumbai. Blessings were offered by Kairabettu Vishwanath Bhat, president of Shree Krishna Vitthala Pratishtana.

Among the many distinguished guests in attendance were Gopal C Shetty, member of Parliament for North Mumbai; Balakrishna Shetty, president of Tulu Nadu Aisiri Vapi; Naveen S Shetty, president of Tulu Nadu Aisiri Vapi; Gopal M Poojary, chairman of Captain Switches and Accessories; and Ramanath T Kotian, president of Tulu Koota Asalpha.

Noteworthy achievers from the Tulu-Kannada community were felicitated for their contributions in various fields. These included Manoj C Poojary, former president of Kannada Samaj Surat; musician Shekhar Sasihithlu; theatre and film personalities Dayananda Rai Bettampady, Ashwath Nayak, and Latesh M Poojary; and journalists Sachin Poojary, Ramesh Udyavar, and Dinesh Kulal.

Two prestigious memorial awards were presented during the event. The Adyar Nadiguthu Timmapa Shetty Memorial Award was conferred on Vishwanath G Poojary, former president of the Gujarat Billava Sangha and recipient of the Karnataka State Agriculture Award. The Smt Bharati Kodlekarkar Memorial Award was presented to Aroosh N Shetty, a veteran theatre and voice-dubbing artiste.

In addition, CA Satish N. Shetty, an advisory committee member of Bunts Sangha Mumbai, CA Surendra K Shetty, former president of the Bombay Bunts Association, Yakshagana Guru Vasudeva Marnad, and theatre artiste and organiser Surendra Marnad were also honoured.

Notable guests and contributors present included Premanath Shetty from Vapi, Sadashiva Poojary, Pushparaj Shetty of Puttur, Ganesh Shetty, and Sukesh Shetty from Vapi.

Special recognitions were extended to those who have significantly supported the Balaga’s journey, either directly or indirectly. Among them were athlete H Jay Devadiga; Poli Jayapal Shetty, president of Kandivali Kannada Sangha; Shankar D Poojary, former secretary of Malad Kannada Sangha; Ramesh Shetty Paiyar, trustee of Goregaon Karnataka Sangha; and Yakshagana artiste Sundar K Poojary.

Others felicitated included Mahabala Poojary, Mahendra Kanchan, Ashok Shetty from LIC, CA Vinay Bhatt, Ramesh Bangera, R D Kotian, Karunakar Kannarpadi, Bhaskar V Shetty, Praveena M Rathod, Chetana S Shetty, Pushpa Acharya, Vanaja D Shetty, Tanuja Bhat, Professor Aashanath, and Neena P Shetty.

As part of the religious observances, a grand Sharada Mahapooja was conducted under the Vedic guidance of Santosh Bhatt and his team of priests. Trustee Bhaskar Sarapadi and his wife Pushpa Bhaskar served as the yajamans for the pooja. Devotees participated in bhajans, and the rituals concluded with the distribution of teertha prasada.

The valedictory session in the afternoon was chaired by Mundappa S Paiyade and included the presence of Praveen Bhoja Shetty, president of Bunts Sangha Mumbai; Ravish G Acharya, president of Vishwakarma Association Mumbai; Vijayalakshmi Suresh Rao, director of Sanjeevini Hospital in Andheri; Jayashila K Suvarna, a noted voice-dubbing artiste; Padmanabh S Paiyade; Prakash B Bhandari; Ratnakar Shetty of Mundkur; Manohar Shetty; Vijay M. Bhandari; and Avinash Shetty.

The Balaga’s general secretary, Guruprakash M Kotian, delivered the welcome address. The event’s organisation was handled by Rajeevi R Kotian, treasurer; Padmavati B Shetty, president of the Women’s Wing; Shanta Bhat; and Harish K. Chevar, who coordinated the Sharada Pooja and annual celebrations. Latha Bangera, Veena Suvarna, and Lakshi Acharya introduced the honourees. The event was smoothly compered by Roopa Bhat and Ashok Pakkala, while Bhaskar Sarapadi proposed the vote of thanks.

As a cultural highlight, the evening concluded with a mesmerising Yakshagana performance titled Indrajeethu Kalaga, staged by children from Chinnarabimba camps in Kandivali and Mira-Bhayandar, along with Balaga members. The performance, directed by Vasu Marnad, enthralled the audience and brought the curtains down on a truly memorable celebration.