Bahrain: Spectacular Alva’s Nudisiri Virasat

By Joel DSa
Bellevision Media Network

Bahrain, 19 Feb 2013: It was a stunning spectacular treasure trove of art and cultural extravaganza from the Indian sub-continent that thrilled the packed audience of nearly a 1,000 enthusiasts from all walks of life for four hours at the Kerala Samajam Cultural Hall in Segaiya, Bahrain. A captivating stage performance with absolute precision and perfection complete with colour and sound effects that mesmerized all with awe and inspiration.

 

Words cannot describe the magnanimity of the show performed by humble adopted and trained students of the Alva’s foundation specially flown in from Moodbidri, Mangalore to rock the stage in Bahrain on 15th February, 2013, commencing at 6.00 p.m. The program was organized under the patronage of the Indian Embassy and presented by the Kannada Sangha, Bahrain.

 

The arrival of the Indian Ambassador, H.E. Dr. Mohan Kumar at 6.00 p.m. sharp, signaled the start of the program with the Master of Ceremonies Sandhya Pai welcoming the gathering and inviting H.E. Dr. Mohan Kumar, Chairman of Alva’s Education Foundation Mr. Mohan Alva, Kannda Sangha President Mr. Raj Kumar, Chief Convenor of the program Mr. Uday Shetty, Organising Committee Secretary Pradeep Shetty, General Secretary of Kannada Sangha Mr. Rajesh Shetty and the Main Sponsors to the dias for a stage felicitation program.

 

All the dignitaries and Guests on stage were welcomed with floral bouquets on behalf of the Organisers. Mr. Uday Shetty, triumphantly welcomed the large audience signaled to commence the program. HE The Ambassador inaugurated the program by lighting the lamp, “deepa” on stage, to the applause of the audience.

 

Mr. Raj Kumar, addressed the audience in Kannada. Mr. Pradeep Shetty gave a brief profile of Dr. Mohan Alva,  the brain behind the Cultural fiesta to the audience in English and welcomed Dr. Mohan Alva with a standing ovation.    The Indian Ambassador traditionally garlanded and felicitated  Dr. Mohan Alva presenting him with a memento.

 

Dr. Mohan Alva in a short address to the audience gave us an insight of Alva’s Foundation and his vision for the Vishwa Nudisir-Virasat 2013 grand finale to be held in Moodbidri on 19th, 20th and 21st December, 2013. The Indian Ambassador was traditionally felicitated by the President of the Kannada Sangha, Bahrain which was followed by the former addressing the audience briefly.

 

HE Mohan Kumar particularly thanked the Bahrain Government authorities for making it possible for such a large Indian cultural contingent to arrive Bahrain and perform for the enjoyment of the Indian diaspora. He commended with immense appreciation the efforts of all the Organizers in organizing such variety Indian cultural programs nostalgically to the fore thus naturally leading to National integration.

 

Dr. Mohan Alva, on behalf of the Alva’s Educational Foundation honored all the dignitaries, the Organisers, the Volunteers, Wellwishers and Sponsors with a token of appreciation.

 

Last but not the least, the General Secretary of Kannada Sangha, Mr. Rajesh Shetty spared no efforts in briefly acknowledging the support and assistance of all those who were involved in the program in a crisply delivered Vote of Thanks.

 

The presence of Bahraini dignitaries, Sheikha Hooda, prominent Sponsors and Guests was acknowledged and appreciated by the Master of Ceremonies.

 

The non-stop Cultural Fiesta started with the Mohiniyattam Dance, an ancient 16th Century dance that portrays love in myriad forms with importance given to Lasya and Bhava.

 

The Folk Dance “Banjara” that followed promptly, captivated the audience by way of their enthusiasm and expressive dancing as they travelled around.   Banjaras were nomadic travelers of ancient times roaming in large numbers in Rajasthan and parts of Andhra Pradesh.

 

This was followed by an exclusive stint of Yakshagana Dashavathara, a folk art by Alva’s students from the Yakshagana Study Centre – something enjoyably different and liking of North Kanarites. The Hall was reverberating with high-pitched whistle-calls and applause as the tempo of the Yakshagana dance pulsated.

 

During the Yakshagana, Asia’s famous speed-painter Vilas Nayak showed us his art skills by painting on canvas one of the Yakshagana characters  as the Yakshagana dance was going on. He drew a masterpiece on canvas much to the joy and delightful applause of the audience using a brush in each hand, watercolors that painted to the beats of the Yakshagana.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Manipuri students of Alva’s Foundation thrilled us with their rendition of stick dance – 3 artistes with 3 sticks manipulating all the sticks to a synchronized peculiar dance to the tune of stick-beats and  in varied formats aerobically without having dropped them on the ground. The beats,  the timing, the synchronization of all the three artistes performing with precisions was just unimaginably done with expert perfections.

 

Something perhaps none had witnessed being performed ever before. Everyone had a breath-taking view of the stick dance which got the longest applause. These students never repeat the stick dance once shown but creatively re-work themselves to put forth a new workout in each program.

 

Then came the stunning Bharathanatyam Nava Durga Dance that wowed the enthusiasts with their unique dance performance in a classical dance.  Every bit of their cheerful dancing was appreciated with admiration and applause.   Not a single dancer seemed to show fatigue or tiredness.

 

Among all the dance forms, Bharathanatyam has the highest position as an art. “Shrungara Vaibhava”, a Yakshagana play performed by the talented students rocked the stage, depicting a popular version of the folk dance of coastal Karnataka.

 

The Lavani dance was performed thereafter to the beats of dolak, showcasing a popular dance among the Maharashtrian fisherfolk.

 

The unique Dhol Chalam acrobatic drum-beat dance followed when 7  Manipuri students performed with utmost precision somersaulting all around to the beats of the drums.    It was a thrilling and chilling but exciting performance.

 

It was back to a stint of art, when Vilas Nayak showcased his talent, creative speed painting with both hands on canvas to the beats and tune of music from memory. In less than 5 minutes he drew a water-colours portrait of Mother Teresa carrying an orphan, Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa AlKhalifa in 7 minutes and the Indian Tricolour Vandhe Matharam in about as many minutes.

 

For sure, as expected he was given a standing ovation. The three paintings were later auctioned under the stewardship of the in-coming President of Indian Club, Bahrain, Mr. Anand Lobo. The students from the Alva’s Ranga Adhyayana Kendra, a unique school of theatre study, staged a short 15-minute skit titled “Deva Vrudharu”.

 

The script and theatre performance depicted the symphony of the elderly population who are ignored and dejected by the family and Society – quite true in today’s modern surroundings. Another episode of Yakshagana, “Hanumana Oddologa” was performed followed by “Kathak” dance displaying Classical footwork was brought to the fore.

 

“Purulia Chavo” or the “Lion Dance”, originating from a West Bengal village brought on stage 6 lions and 2 bison. For the eyes of the beholder, the bisons and lions looked very real and their manouvres choreographed to like in their natural habitat. This Lion dance thrilled all, although one of the bison was preyed upon by the lions on stage! Beautifully depicted.

 

The last dance was “Kamsale”, a male folk art that was vigorously performed by the students, being a popular dance among the Kannada speaking inhabitants showcasing the glory of Lord Mahadeshwara.

 

So much for art and culture from the Indian sub-continent all under one roof in a meticulously performed choc-o-bloc program hosted by Alva’s Educational Foundation, that concluded at 11.00 p.m. Kannda Sangha, Bahrain, honoured all the artistes and their accompanying peers with appreciation mementos.

 

The audience could not believe their eyes and tastes that there was so much for their eyes to see and palate to taste by way of creative talents of the 80-odd students who utilized all their energy and enthusiasm to make the show, the mother-of-all shows ever to be held in Bahrain with expert guidance, precision and performance in every bit of the stage display.

 

There was plenty to relish and cherish and everyone walked-off the Hall in culturally-dazed awe!