Grand Vishwa Tulu Sammelana 2018 to be hosted in Dubai on Nov 23 and 24

Dubai: Overseas Tuluvas, in association with Akhila Bharatha Tulu Okkoota and Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy, have jointly organized ‘Vishwa Tulu Sammelana 2018 – Dubai’ on November 23 and 24, at Al Nasr Leisureland Ice Rink and Nashwan Hall, Dubai under the License of Rhythm Events Company.

The two-day event, for the first time ever, is being hosted outside India. All these years the same convention has been arranged by the organisers in Mangaluru and its outskirts, all within the Tulunadu region.

A meeting was held in Dubai by likeminded Tuluvas viz., Sarvotham Shetty, Shodhan Prasad and Ganesh Rai, who later arranged a meeting with the various Tuluva Community leaders of the UAE and requested their support in hosting this mega event in Dubai.

Sarvotham Shetty, as the President of the UAE Tuluvas, became the Chief Convenor of ‘Vishwa Tulu Sammelana 2018 Dubai. Shodhan Prasad, as the Event Manager drafted and crafted the whole event. Ganesh Rai took charge of the souvenirs as one of the fund raising sources. With this, the event got a good start.

It was decided that the whole event should be conducted through a professionally licensed event management company, which is how ‘Rhythm Events’ came into the picture. The event will be under DTCM permission and the proposal has been sent along with the clearance from venue Al Nasr Leisureland’s NOC to the Event Management to proceed with.

Shodhan Prasad presented the master plan, and as per that it is a ‘Sarva Dharma Convention’ mainly highlighting the Tulu language, culture and folk amongst the Tulu Speaking ‘Sarva Dharma’ Communities of Tulu Nadu. With the vision to save Tulu language, culture and folk the core mission is to showcase the importance of including the Tulu language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Currently, as per Article 344(1) and 351 of the Indian Constitution, the eighth schedule recognizes of around 22 languages. There are demands for the inclusion of 42 more languages and Tulu stands at the end.

Sarvotham Shetty as Chief Coordinator held various meetings with Akhila Bharata Tulu Okkoota and Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy Presidents to get moral and monetary support from the Government of Karnataka. Since it is a joint venture of the three organizers, the hosts being in Dubai will do all preparations to present the event whereas the later will put in effort in getting the Government of Karnataka’s monetary support for the event. An initial nod from the Chief Minister has been received and sanctions are awaited.

Accordingly the following sub-committees were formed to present a two day mega event.

SUB COMMITTEES

Core Committee – Comprising of leaders of various community organisations
Sub Committee – Comprising of Members from various community organisations
Budget and Audit Committee – Comprising of Auditors and Chartered Accountants
Members Co-ordination Committee
Souvenir Committee
Exhibition Committee
Cultural and Convention Committee
Food Committee
Marketing and Publicity Committee
Welcome and Volunteer Committee
Backstage Committee
Stage Programme and Felicitation Committee
Time Police Committee – Who will manage the time slots
Airport Receiving and Transport Committee
Musical Orchestra Committee
Al Ain Ghataka
Abu Dhabi Ghataka
Oman Ghataka
Throw-ball Teams Ghataka

The whole programme will comprise of the following Cultural and Social awareness programmes:

Tulu Folk Dance Competitions

A pure GCC Level Folk Dance Competition will be held during the event. So far, six teams from Oman, Bahrain, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai have confirmed their participation. Each team has more than 10 members and some of the teams have around 28 participants of various ages. A total of 118 dancers will be competing in these 6 groups.

Joint Inauguration (Udipana) by Heads of various religious communities of Tulu Nadu on 23rd Nov @ 2 pm:

Padmavibhooshan Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade – Dharmadhikari of Kshetra Dharmasthala will inaugurate
Padmashri Dr. B R Shetty, Patron of UAE Tuluvas and Main Sponsor will preside the event
Rev. Bishop Peter Paul Saldhana of Mangaluru
Rev. Bishop Henry D’Souza of Bellary
Bollywood Star Sunil Shetty
Rev. Fr. Ebnezer Jathanna of CSI Protestant Church
Abdul Salam Puthige, Muslim Scholar and Chief Editor of Varthabharati
Ronald Colaco, Philanthropist and Businessman and Main Sponsor
Sujat Shetty, Businessman and Silver Sponsor
Dr. Mohan Alva, Founder Alvas Educational Institution Moodabidri and Promotor of Tulu
Veerappa Moily, Member of Parliament
Jayamala Actress, Minister of Government of Karnataka
U T Khader, Minister of Government of Karnataka
Umanath Kotian, MLA Government of Karnataka
Aravind Jatti (Basava Samithi)
Sarvotham Shetty, Chief Organiser of Vishwa Tulu Sammelana, President UAE Tuluvas
Dharmapal Devadiga, President Akhila Bharata Tulu Okkoota
A C Bhandary, President of Karnataka Sahitya Academy
Guru Kiran – Sandalwood Artiste
Shodhan Prasad, Event Manager of Vishwa Tulu Sammelana
Ganesh Rai, Artiste

Joint Valedictory (Mugithala) by following dignitaries on 24th November at around 7 pm

Padmavibhooshan Dr. D.Veerendra Heggade as Chief Guest
Padmashri Dr. B R Shetty (Presided)
Dr.Sunitha M. Shetty, Writer and Scholar will be the main Speaker
Mangaluru Bishop Rev. Peter Paul Saldhana
Bellary Bishop Rev. Henry D’Souza
Bollywood Star Sunil Shetty
Rev. Fr. Ebinejer Jathanna – CSI Protestant Church
Abdul Salam Puthige, Muslim Scholar
Veerappa Moily, Member of Parliament
Jayamala, Minister Govt. of Karnataka
U T Kadar, Minister Govt. of Karnataka
Sarvotham Shetty (Swagatha)
Dharmapal Devadiga
A. C. Bhandary
Shree Shree His Holiness Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji of Ashta Mutt
Shree Shree Gurudevananda Swamiji, Odiyoor Temple
Shree Shree Mohandas Paramahamsa Swamiji
Guru Kiran
Shodhan Prasad
Ganesh Rai

‘Tulu Aisiri’ Souvenir Release:

As a part of the maiden ‘Vishwa Tulu Sammelana 2018 Dubai’ remembrance, a 200-plus-page beautifully crafted souvenir designed by well-known artiste Ganesh Rai will be released during the event. This all-in-one handbook of Tuluvas will have beautiful messages from leaders, poems, stories, write-ups, wishes and greetings including personal and commercial advertisements from the Tuluva Community people around the world. Around 2000 copies will be distributed for free to all the families during the event.

Tulunada Pabholu (Festivals of Tulu Nadu)

A dance ballet by artistes from Chakrapani Nritya Kala Kendra, Mangaluru headed by Master Suresh Attavar and comprising of more than 35 artistes from both India and Dubai, will showcase the different festivals of various religious sects.

Tulu Yakshagana Bayalata (Ballet)

Local artistes of Yaksha Mitraru comprising of talented youngsters, headed by Dinesh Shetty Kottinja, will be presenting ‘Jambhavti Kailasa’ Yakshagana Bayalata

Yakshagana Natya Gana Vaibhava (Dance drama)

Satish Shetty Patla and his nine-member team will be arriving from Mangaluru to present the famous Yakshagana Natya Gana Vaibhava, a spectacular dance drama.

Tala Maddale – An ancient art of storytelling

Jabbar Samoa, Bhaskar Rai Kukkuvalli, Kadri Navneeth Shetty, Thonse Pushkal Kumar and Dayanand Kathalsar will be jointly presenting this ancient form of storytelling.

‘Pili Nallike’ – Tiger dance of Tulu Nadu

Around 18 ‘Pili’ (tiger) dancers both from local and India will be presenting a Tiger Dance – one of the old folk dances of Tulu Nadu – with painted bodies and synchronized dance moves, trained by Girish Narayan of Dubai.

‘Tulu Rasamanjari’ – Musical Orchestra and Sandalwood’s Guru Kiran

A seven-piece band of local talented Musicians ‘Versatiles’, headed by playback singer Pramod Kumar, will be presenting the first ever ‘Tulu Rasamanjari’ with various local trained singers. They will be presenting one hour sessions on both days of the event with melodious and fast numbers. Actor-singer from Sandalwood, Guru Kiran will be the added attraction in this event and will present some of the famous Tulu songs to dance.

^{Music Composer and Singer, Guru Kiran}

‘Tulu Ayona’ – a Folk Dance Ballet

Visiting artistes from Dr. Rajesh Alva Team of Badiadka, Mangaluru will be presenting a Tulu folk dance with their 50-member troupe, arriving from Mangaluru specially for this event.

‘Sathyapuratha Siri’ Dance Drama

A famous Tulu Nritya Roopaka by Sanathana Natyalaya, Mangaluru, headed by Chandrashekar Shetty and troupe comprising of around 26 artistes, will be presenting this rare folk dance.

‘Yelver Daiyar’ Dance Drama

A grand Tulu Nritya Roopaka by Natya Nikethana, Mangaluru headed by Ullal Mohan Kumar, will be performed by six artistes from Mangaluru and 16 local talented dancers.

Tulu Nada Gobbulu – Sports of Tulu Nadu

Nagesh Kulal and his Team from Mangaluru will be presenting a different form of dance titled ‘Tulu Nada Gobbulu’.

Various Stand-up Comedy Teams

Prashamsa team, comprising of Sandeep Shetty Manibettu, Prasanna and Merwin along with Sharath Kumar and Umesh Mijar team will be flying from Mangaluru to present some rib tickling super humorous stand-up comedy during both days with various slots. Gammath Kalavider the local talented team will also add spice with their comedy skits in between.

Tulu Janapada Acharaney Ghosti (Folk Celebration Convention)

Well-known Professor Dr. B.A. Vivek Rai will be presiding this convention which has Prof. Tukaram Poojary, Prof. Ganesh Amin Sankamar, Dayanand Kathalsar and Kudhi Vasanth Shetty participating.

^{Prof. Ganesh Amin Sankamar}

^{Prof. Tukaram Poojary}

Hasya Kavi-Kavana Ghosti

Dr. Y.N. Shetty will be presiding over this Poetic Convention in which local poets such as Prakash Rao Payyar, Irshad Moodabidri, Gopinath Rao, M.E. Moolur and Shree Avinash Bhat Abu Dhabi will be participating.

Tulu Chalana Chitra and Rangha Bhoomi Ghosti (Film and Theatre)

Dr. Jayamala (Actress) will be presiding over this Tulu Film and Theatre Convention in which Richard Castelino, V.G. Pal, Kishore D. Shetty, Naveen D. Padil, Thonse Vijay Kumar Shetty, Bhojaraj Vamanjoor, Aravind Bolar, Vijaykumar Kodialbail and Shodhan Prasad will be participating.

^{Actress, Dr Jayamala}

^{Actor, Navin D. Padil}

^{Actor, Bhojaraj Vamanjoor}

^{Director, Vijay Kumar Kodialbail}

^{Actor, Aravind Bolar}

^{Shodhan Prasad, Event Manager of Vishwa Tulu Sammelana}

Madhyama Ghosti (Journalist)

Walter Nandalike will be presiding over this Ghosti with Dinesh Amin Mattu, Sadanand Perla, Dr. Ummer and Ganesh Rai.

^{Dinesh Amin}^{Mattu Sadanand Perla}^{Dr Ummer}

Horanada and Anivasi Tuluvara Samavesha

A special discussion from Tuluvas outside Tulunadu, especially Tulu leaders from various parts of India and NRI Tuluvas from various parts of the world, will be gathering for this show. As many as 25 members may participate here.

Masters of Ceremony

Six talented well-known MCs viz., Bhaskar Rai Kukkuvalli, Kadri Navneeth Shetty, RJ Saiheel Rai, RJ Priya Harish Shetty, TV personality Naveen Shetty Yedmar all from Mangaluru and Ashok Pakkala from Mumbai will be jointly hosting this mega event with their expertise.

^{Priya Harish Shetty}

^{Saiheel Rai}

Tulu Nada Toopike (Exhibition)

Some of the rare artefacts of Tulu Nadu will be the main attraction of this exhibition headed by Artiste Zuber Khan Kudla. He has a talented bunch of Artistes who have been working hard to decorate and make the area inside the Nashwan Hall and the ‘Dwara’ (main entrance) a real treat for the eyes. The exhibition will have items from Tulu culture, games and sports including video presentations.

Tulu Nada Thenasu (Food Stall)

Mouthwatering Tulu Nada delicacies such as Moode, Kottige, Manjalda Iretha Adya, Buns, Goli Baje, Arep Adya are some of the famous Tulu delicacies. However, there will be many more displays and savouries from Devesh Alva and his team who will serve fresh and tasty food for more than 4000 visitors from all over the world throughout the day.

Swagatha Team (Welcome)

More than 600 volunteers have geared up to receive Tuluva Guests from all over the world in a traditional way. A ‘Purna Kambha Kalasha’ with live drum beats, trumpets and traditional attire will welcome the guests from the entrance to the venue.

‘Muttale’ our traditional head gear

More than 2000 ‘Muttale’ (traditional head gear) will be flown in from Mangaluru for this event to be distributed during the raffle. When it is worn by the audience, it will display the simplicity of our Tuluvas in this rich land.

‘Vishwa Tulu Sammelana’ Dubai Tour

To attract and encourage more Tuluvas to attend the Vishwa Tulu Sammelana in Dubai, Shodhan Prasad and Sabitha Shetty, under the umbrella of ‘Wanderlust Tourism’ have officially offered Dubai Tours at economic rates to Tuluvas from all over the world. The five-day package has now attracted a large number of tourists from India and abroad to participating in the two-day Sammelana, and to enjoy the special tour.

It is learnt that there are many Tuluvas from Mumbai, Bangalore, Mangaluru, Delhi and other places, who have formed various groups and are coming on their own to witness the event.

Live streaming of the Event

A team of four cameramen from Namma Kudla TV will arrive from Mangaluru to arrange the live streaming of the entire event on the Namma Kudla TV channel. People unable to attend the event can watch it in their homes back in the Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kasargod districts. And, www.newskarnataka.com will arrange a live stream of the event on their Facebook page and other social media handles.

To conclude

With the joint preparations going on in full swing, the organizers, with more than 335 participants, 300 plus Committee Members, 600 volunteers and 24 plus well-known guest speakers, hope that the world will witness the historic programme in Dubai.

Sandhya Creations are the Event Manager of Vishwa Tulu Sammelana 2018 Dubai.