‘Aatidonji Dina 2023’ - Spectacular feast for Tulunadu people in Dubai

By Shodhan Prasad
Bellevision Media Network

Dubai, 23 Aug 2023: SCENT (Sandhya Creations Event Network Team) in association with Fortune Karama Hotel (A Praveen Shetty Enterprise) jointly presented the second ‘Aatidonji Dina 2023’ cultural food festival programme in Fortune Karama Hotel, Karama, Dubai on August 20. The event created a record number of participation by multi-cultural, religious and multilingual Tuluvas of Karnataka state under one roof making it a total Tulunadu festive atmosphere ignoring the record heat of the day.

 

Over 2000 people poured into the well decorated venue and Tulunadu people gathered much ahead of the opening and were waiting for the event to start.

 

It was an historic event to enjoy with eight hours of foot-tapping music, eating, competitions, prizes, medical freebies, free flowing fresh juices, water, toddy and dancing throughout. The Aati food festival was the main highlight of the event wherein a variety of ethnic food were displayed nicely in the food booths provided to each community organisation and the organisers decorated it well with a look of village atmosphere.

 

Organiser Shodhan Prasad from SCENT introduced VJ Deeksha Rai who was the master of ceremony for the cultural events throughout the day with her mastering talent entertaining the whole audience.

 

The main programme as scheduled started with the traditional drums inviting and welcoming the guests of honour, the true representatives of the three main faiths of India; Hindu, Muslim and Christian showcasing communal harmony on one platform on the soil of UAE, a country who have leaders who have proven record of religious tolerance in this part of the world. Guruji Hari representing the Hindu Faith, Dr David Frank Fernandes representing the Christian faith and Suhail Kudroli representing the Muslim faith were celebrated with a procession onto the stage and who lighted the auspicious lamp along with the SCENT team and Praveen Shetty of Fortune Group. Also present were the judges of the food competition chef Rashmi D’Silva and chef Ganesh Shetty who were invited to the festival of food to decide the 3 winners of the competition. Shodhan Prasad did the honours of the event.

 

 

Aati Food Festival

There were very many beautifully decorated food stalls from various communities of Tulunadu in UAE viz., Bunts, Brahmans, Karnataka Sangha Dubai, Mangalore Konkans, Sahebans, Mogaveers, Amchi Friends, Vishwakarma, Jains, Marghadeepa, Kudla Ladies, and Creative Smith Manjunath who had prepared varieties of ethnic food which were feast to the eyes and mouth. These members had faced a lot of challenges to bring in purely ethnic food-hunting each and every corner of the world to present such mouthwatering dishes never available anywhere in this part of the world.

 

The chief guests along with the judges opened the food stalls and went around the stalls savoring and tasting bit-by-bit of all the wonderful preparations and the judges chose 3 winners which were disclosed at the end of the programme.

 

The chosen best three were honoured with memento, certificate and cash prizes at the end of the programme by the chief guests while the judges announced their names.

 

WINNERS

1) BRAHMANA SAMAJ – 1st

2) KARNATAKA SANGHA DUBAI – 2nd

3) CREATIVE SMITHA MANJUNATH GROUP – 3rd

 

 

Moreover, the organizers served free and unlimited ganji oota, methe ganji, a variety of chutneys and pickles throughout the day. Toddy was an added beverage served in traditional style for the event specially to raise the spirits which got over within a few hours of serving.

 

‘Aati Kalanja’ fancy dress competition was organized but the winner was the lone participant, a sport enthusiast Laxmi Poojary who was felicitated with prize and certificate. She also participated in other dances and actively participated in the inaugural function.

 

‘Aati Kalanja’ photo booth was erected for those people who wanted to have photographs clicked on the spot during the celebration.

 

There were various cultural activities throughout the day viz., folk dances, Bharatanatyam, filmy dances, singing and very many activities all in Tulu language. Tiger dance was the main attraction and all the audiences joined and enjoyed.

 

Pramod Kumar, Ashok Anchan, Dr.Santhosh Kemminje, Amisha Anand, Mayank Mahesh, Sannidhi Shetty, Sukanya, Ramachandra Bedradka, Ashok Bailur, Dinesh Doddanagudde, Suketha, Sandeep, Deeksha VJ, Srikanth and Shanon Ruth Vas were some of the singers who rendered their melodious voice and entertained the audience throughout.

 

Unnati Agarwal, Shreya, Alisha, Shreshta, Dhriti, Safa, Nakshatra, Namrutha, Rekha Bhat, Sindhu Gopal Rao, Akshatha Abhshek, Soumya Udaya Kumar, Harshita Bhat, Shreevatsa Hebbar, Sanath Rao, Vinutha Ganesh, Mayur Thukra, Diyaan Ganesh, Pooja K. Amin, Rianshi Harish, Shanoon Ruth Vas, Pavitha Suvarna, Sanjana Nithyanand Suvarna, Lakshya Nithyanand Suvarna, Sanvika Bangera, Prisha Poojary, Navya, Jyothi Nithya, Arun, Pavithra, Geetha, Thanushree, Kasturi, Laxmi, Santhosh, Ravi, Harish, Balakrishna, Sudarshan, Rakshith, Ramesh, Abhi, Mayur, Santosh Jagadish Salian, Megha Jagadish Salian and others entertained the audience with their various forms of dances beautifully presented.

Tulu Film Industry Attractions

The makers of ‘Kudru’ Tulu film held a song release event with MC Ronald Olivera introducing the film crew actors Harshit Shetty, Priya Hegde, Daina D’Souza and producer/director Bhasker Naik on the stage. Three songs were played and then the main cast was introduced one by one interviewing them on their roles and opportunities. Each one of them shared their experience working on Kudru and requested the audience to support and bless them. Bhasker Naik briefed on the film and some of the situations of shooting and said that he and his team have given the best of performances to present a beautiful film to the Tulu/Kannada audience. The film is scheduled to be released in October 2023 across UAE by Sandhya Creations Overseas Movies.

 

‘Gauji Gammath’ Tulu super comedy hit film’s tickets were launched for their premiere world release during the programme. The premiere release in UAE is on August 27. Trailers and other promo videos of the movie were displayed during the event while Shodhan Prasad briefed on the release of the movie. This movie will be released in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Sharjah starting from August 27, September 3 and 10 through Sandhya Creations Overseas Movies.

Free Medical Check-up and Aids

Free medical check-up counters from Aster Group of Company were in progress throughout the day who provided free medical check-up, free vitamin samples and also provided free privilege cards which will entitle for discounts at Aster Pharmacies where in case the medicines are not covered under their existing medical cards.

 

A homeopathy medical camp was displayed by House of Wellness Group who presented their expertise in this part of the world and also provided free discount offers for those who would like to take advantage of their offers.

 

Thumbay Group also had a medical unit helping the people on various medical facilities available and offers in place for the audience. Free discount vouchers were distributed to the winners and audiences.

 

‘Aatidonji Dina 2023’ theme promo song was mentioned and singer Vaishali Kirodian was introduced to the audience and felicitated. This song was penned by KC Prashanth which was specially recorded for the event.

 

Virginia Green Garden supplied free drinking water for all the audiences arranged by Dubai Loku of Ridhu Food Stuff Trading Company, Hana Fresh Juices distributed more than 1500 variety of juices to all the audiences, Lays Chips were also distributed free for all the audiences, Shetty Lunch Home distributed packed food to the volunteers, Saheba Caterers Shekar Shetty also distributed free packed meals to the organizing team, Creative Caterer supplied many arrangements for the programme and Tapiz Carpets and Curtains supplied the furniture for the food booths, Dubai Source supplied the photo booth and stage setting and many other sponsors supported who did not want their names to be revealed. Fortune Karama Hotel sponsored the venue.

 

All the sponsors were invited on to the stage and honoured with mementos and certificates recognizing their support for the event.

 

The entire programme was live on FB and other social sites through many individuals including Karavali Cousins and Ganesh Rai who were taking live interviews.

 

Volunteers Bharath, Shiva Prasad, Chethan, Deekshith, Neetesh, Kiran, Rajesh Salian, Ujwal Salian, Navya Shetty, Rakshana, Deeksha, Nakshatra, Pavithra, Namrutha and all other enthusiasts dedicatedly supported in various ways to make the event a professional one.

 

SCENT team members Alwyn Pinto, Ashok Bailur, Deepak Paladka, Kiran Kottary, Manoj Poojary, Nithyanand Beskoor, Rakshak Prabhu, Santosh Shetty Polali, Shameer Bolar, Sudarshan Hegde, Anand, Rithesh Anchan, Ladies Team including Sandhya Shodhan, Kiran Beskoor, Veena Hegde, Roopa Kottary and Reshma Pramod jointly showed dedication and hard work in presenting the beautiful and successful event.

 

It was a ‘Sandhya Creations Event Network Team’ event jointly collaborated with ‘Fortune Group of Hotels (A Praveen Shetty Enterprise) to give the maximum successful entertainment in this part of the world.