Padubelle: Geleyara Balaga celebrates 36th anniversary with daylong programmes

By Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Padubelle, 22 January 2012:  Geleyara Balaga, Madhwanagara, Padubelle along with Navachetana Mahila Mandala, Padubelle jointly celebrated their 36th and 23rd anniversaries  respectively with daylong programmes  on Saturday, January 21, 2012. The programmes began in the morning at 9.30 am  with the hoisting of the flag of the Geleyara Balaga by Valerian Alva one of the supporters and sponsors of  the organisation.

 

At 12 noon, a grand public ‘annasantarpane’ was organised in which around 1000 people participated.  The Geleyara Balaga also provided  200 meals to the Manasa at Shantinagar, Pamboor. According to Harish Shetty, one of the directors of the Geleyara Balaga, the tradition of ‘annasantarpane’ was started four years ago under the inspiration and support of Remos D’Souza of Padubelle who is the Director of Phoenix Courier Private Limited in Mumbai. Remos D’Souza had specially come from Mumbai for this programme.

 

The evening programme began at 7.30 pm in the Geleyara Balaga Silver Jubilee Memorial stage in Padubelle with Mrs. Ida Gibba D’Souza, member of the Udupi Zilla Panchayat at the chief guest who presided over the programme. Babu Amin Bannanje, an eminent folklore and Daivaradhane scholar was the guest of honour.  Harish Shetty and Vincent Alva, the Directors of the Geleyara Balaga, Remos D’Souza,  Sudarshan Kunder, President of Geleyara Balaga and Mrs. Jacinta Menezes, President oof Navachetana Mahila Mandala were on the dais along with the guests.

In his introductory  address, Harish Shetty traced the origin and growth of the Geleyara Balaga. He said that 36 years ago some youngsters such as Sundar Moolya, Sadananda Shenoy, Madhav Acharya, Robert Alva, Leo Alva, Sudhakar Shetty, Rony D’Souza, Edward Alva, Bhaskar Poojary founded the Geleyara Balaga in order to provide opportunities for the youth of Padubelle to come together and utilise their free time in sports and cultural activities. Gradually, the Geleyara Balaga developed social consciousness and began to undertake certain social service endeavours along with sporting and cultural  activities.  Further he said that the Geleyara Balaga has been receiving support and encouragement from various people of Padubelle.

 

As the main speaker of the day, Babu Amin Bannanje said that various religious groups, castes and communities have been living in peace and harmony in the Tulunadu. He praised the  Christian missionaries for establishing educational institutions and spreading education among the people irrespective of castes and religions that enabled to bridge the gap between different castes and communities. While lamenting over the deviation of the youth from the right path due to modern technologies and gadgets, he appreciated the work that is being done by the Geleyara Balaga. Babu Amin also pointed out the deterioration of the true culture of the Tulunadu due to the infiltration of certain modern trends  such as extravagant spending and alcohol in certain functions such as pre-marriage ceremonies such as ‘madrengi’. 

 

Mrs. Ida Gibba D’Souza gave away prizes to the ‘Balawadi’ children, students of the Government Higher Primary School of Padubelle and members of the Navachetana Mahila Mandala  who had won in games and sports. Babu Amin handed over the trophy that the Geleyara Balaga team had won in the recently held Cricket Tournament. 

 

In her presidential message, Mrs. Ida Gibba D’Souza appreciated the good work that is being done by the Geleyara Balaga and wished its office bearers and members success in future endeavours.

 

Sudarshan Kunder  welcomed the guests, Mrs. Jacinta Menezes proposed the vote of thanks and Satyaprasad compeered the programme.

In spite of chilling cold weather, a large number of people had gathered for the entertainment programme and the Tulu play and they were not disappointed. The school children presented dances well choreographed dances, Pratam and Sachin Shetty crooned  Kannada  songs and the members of the Navachetana  Mahila Mandala presented a dance tableau that looked quite professional.

 

The chief attraction of the night was the Tulu play “Teriyande Pondu....!” written by Dinkar Bhandary Kanajar, directed by Prabhakar Acharya and Ganesh Tantri and enacted by the young members of the Geleyara Balaga.