Dubai: Colourful celebration marks Devadiga Sangha’s 21st anniversary

By Shodhan Prasad
Pics by Deepak Paladka
Bellevision Media Network

Dubai, 8 June 2013: Devadiga Sangha one of the vibrant associations for Devadiga Community in UAE concluded their 21st anniversary on June 7, Friday at Deira Sheraton, Dubai in a grand manner with jam packed audience.

The days programme was inaugurated with the traditional lighting of lamp by all the guests on the dais.  Dinesh Devadiga the main MC announced the programme to the audience in his own imitable style.  Harish Sherigar, President of Sangha welcomed the guests and audience.  He said that the agenda of Devadiga Sangha is to help the poor children by providing education and in this context so far Dubai Devadiga Sangha has been disbursing scholarships to around 400 students every year through Devadiga Sangah, Mangalore. He added that in future too Dubai Devadiga Sangha has plans to continue with this core agenda in a big way.

Suresh Devadiga opened up the programme with his beautiful ’Shankarabaranam’ song melodiously which gave a grand opening to the day’s entertainment section.  It seems like Devadiga’s are born singers as there were many singers including President Harish Sherigar who soulfully presented melodious songs one after another.

 

The programmes included various filmy dances, comedy skits, orchestra and singing which was well organised as from start to the end it entertained the entire audience who applauded for each and every bit of it.

Suresh Devadiga mesmerized the audience with his ’Dhaane Ponne Ninna Manasenk Theriyande Pova’ Tulu number, while Harish Sherigar sang a song he recorded for the upcoming Tulu film ’NIREL’ ’Mokedha singari’ a remake version, while Akshata who also recorded her voice in this film sang some of the famous melodies of Hindi, Kannada and Tulu.  Sunil Devadiga, Ashok, Vinaya, Sunil and Sujatha were  some of the Devadiga Members who presented various songs in their melodious voice and entertained the audience.

’Bende kaayi, thonde kaayi thotadhallidhe’ dance by Dilip Devadiga and some of the Devdiga Sangha members in their school uniforms like school children reminded of our childhood days. Followed was a small skit presentation by Gammath Kalavidharu was another item of the day and was appreciated. ’Govinda bolo hari gopala bolo’ dance by Harsha Laxmidas & team, choreographed by Jasmitha has lured the heart of the spectators. Another filmy dance by Naveen Devadiga & team has thrilled the audience. Filmy dances by Sangeetha Devadiga & team, Rakshatha, Deeksha, Vikas & team, Anshul Sherigar & team enthralled the whole spectators.

In between the programme MC’s Arun & Deepak conducted spot games and distributed prizes to the winners on the spot.  Harish Sherigar also conducted few spot games and distributed the prizes.  In the later part of the programme MC Jesta joined Arun & Deepak to add spice to the achoring.

Before noon there was felicitation ceremony and Guest Prof. Dr. B S Sherigar, was honored and felicitated along with his wife Jayashree on the occasion.  He was honoured with Shawl by Harish Sherigar, President of the Sangha along his wife Sharmila Sherigar while Harishchandra Devadiga a veteran member of the sangha presented flowers and fruits, Narayan Devadiga couple presented memento, Ananda Devadiga couple presented felicitation letter and Dinesh Devadiga couple offered flower bouquet.
After accepting the honour, Prof. B S Sherigar addressed the audience said in his guest speech that Sangha should aim to provide education to poor students of the community. There are many instances where students are stranded at home since they were unable to afford to go to school because of poverty. He said that responsibility of the Sangha is to bring light in the lives of those who have been deprived of their education due to poverty. Further he said that there should be a unity in the community and with this, there is the possibility of progress and will help in bringing equality in the society and have to do some social concerned works for the benefits of the society, he opined.  He also said that most of the people come here in search of profession for their livelihood and lives as aliens. But wherever we go, whatever we do, we must not forget our motherland, mother tongue and our cultural value. This will help in the growth of our children and to bring our hidden talents out. When we see the enthusiasm in today’s youths, definitely they deserve to have one vedhike (stage) of this type, he added.  He appreciated the Sangha’s activities under the dynamic leadership of Harish Sherigar and wished all round success in days to come.

On this occasion advisor Anand Devadiga and his wife Shobha Anand were felicitated by wrapping shawl around them and presented them fruits and flowers and memento.  He also remembered the good old days when the Sangha started and praised the strong support of the predecessors who put a strong foot hold to Devadiga Sangha here in Dubai.  He remembered his forty plus years in UAE and his contribution to Sangha as well as Tulu Koota in Dubai.

On behalf of the regional Associations, Sarvotham Shetty, President of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha rendered guest speech and said that Dubai Devadiga Sangha has been doing good works under the able leadership of Harish Sherigar.  He said besides being busy in his business activities, Harish is also engaged himself in singing and became popular by name ’Kishore Kumar’.  Also he stressed that Guest, Prof. B.S. Sherigar should be recognised and conferred with ’Rajyotsava Award’ and questioned the Government of Karnataka as to why, in spite of being a great achiever in the field of education, he is not yet recognized for this prestigious award.

Sumptuous lunch was served and during this time live karaoke singing made the audience savor food relaxingly.
The afternoon session again continued with dance, skit and singing while the audience were glued to the seat enjoying the show.
This year Dubai Devadiga Sangha cricket team has won three times in three different places. Winning team members like Dileep Devadiga, Rajesh and other team members have been felicitated by giving away the trophies in the hands of the visiting Guest, Cricketer, P V Shashikanth, former Karnataka Ranji team captain.
There were raffle draw at the end and ten people from the audience have been awarded through lucky draw.
At the end Laxmidas proposed the vote of thanks.

 

Dr. B.S. Sherigar –a  brief profile…

Former Vice Chancellor of Kuvempu University, recipient of various awards Prof. Dr. Bailur Sheena  Sherigar was Chief Guest of the day’s  programme.  Dr. Sherigar who has made serial contribution to the field of Chemical Sciences with more than 150 research papers in Polymer chemistry, Reaction Kinetics and Electro-analytical Chemistry has carried out research with his major projects receiving funding from leading agencies like, UGC, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Science and Technology, Naval Research Board. etc.  His accolades includes technical presentation at national and international conferences on the subjects of research in U.S.A., Germany, Belgium, China and many other well known universities.  Belonging to the Devadiga Community Prof. Sherigar was bestowed with several awards including Appreciation Award from Indian Association of Analytical Scientists, Mumbai 1995, Indian Council of Chemists Award for organizing Annual Conference of ICC 2000, Platinum Jubilee Award for excellence in the field of Education from Devadiga Sangha , a Cultural Association Mumbai  in 2001, Founders Day ‘Sadhana Puraskar’ by Kuvempu University for teaching and Research 2003, Amity Academic Excellence Award from Amity University and Eminent Educationalist Award from Dehali Kannadiga in 2010 and the Teachers Day award 2011 from Alva’s Education Foundation.