25 ‘Mrs’ of Kudla Strut their Stuff in Bid for ‘Mrs Mangalore’ Pageant Crown during Audition

25 ‘Mrs’ of Kudla Strut their Stuff in Bid for ‘Mrs Mangalore’ Pageant Crown during Audition

Mangaluru: She is a muti-faceted talent person since her early years, and is more known to people by the smile on her face than her name, as she is popularly seen on screen and off screen hosting a number of shows and events in her unique style. She has won hundreds of prizes in various fields of cultural activities. Interests vary from Bharatnatyam, Yakshagana, acting, modelling, etc. Among the laurels won here are a few to mention – “Bala Prathibha Award(State Level)”, “Teen of the Year (National Level)”, “Miss Mangalore- Jaycee Queen”, and many more. And this Popular and Multi-Talented Woman is Ms Soujanya Hegde of ‘Namma Kudla’, an Administrative Head of ‘Namma TV’!

But the biggest achievement of all the laurels/awards was when this “Kudla Mom” Soujanya Hegde was Crowned as ‘Mrs.Popular’ at ‘Haute Monde Mrs.India Worldwide 2017′ held during the grand finale held in Delhi on 5 August, 2017. She was one among the finalists who were selected in the semi-finals pageant held in Vietnam. It was a long journey for Soujnaya, being shortlisted to the top 60 contestants from a total of 8000 applications and moving forward as Top 50… top 25 … top 14 …. and finally to the top 7 finalists- indeed an achievement by it self …and although she couldn’t win the “Mrs India Worldwide 2017’ title, at least she was crowned “Mrs Popular” in the pageant for her talents and charm. Apart from this, she has even acted in movies and serials.

With her infectious smile, versatility and creative presentation, Soujanya has a hosted a lot of stage shows, open air concerts, television shows, interviews and live programmes efficiently and in a magnificent style. A promising product from St.Agnes School College-Mangaluru, a Law Graduate from SDM Law College Mangaluru and MBA diploma holder from ICFAI University, she is person of many talents. Happily married to Sudhir Hegde, General Manager for Pepsi Co / 7-Up bottling Co Nigeria-Africa, she is blessed with 2 kids, Souravi and Souraag. Presently she is a freelance Anchor and a popular face on television. Presently working as the administrative head of Namma TV Channel and the Managing Director of ‘Lets Party’ – A Complete Party Store in Mangaluru, Ms Soujanya Hegde was all set to host her FIRST Beauty Pageant for Married Women in Coastal Karnataka. And the audition for this pageant was held during the weekend at Hotel BMS, Mangaluru, and 25 beautiful Lasses of Kudla/DK, but all MARRIED, strut their Stuff in Bid for ‘Mrs Mangaluru’ Pageant Crown during Audition.

Some of the contestants were still in their 30’s, some in their 40’s, while couple of them were in their past 50’s, but they all looked sizzling and gorgeous as if they were still in their teens? Some were accompanied to the audition by their husbands {who didn’t wanted to expose themselves in front of the crowd, since they were shy since their sweethearts were much talented and bold than them}, some were escorted by their dads/moms/grandparents/In-Laws- but they were all full of enthusiasm, charisma, determination, and were ready to unleash their hidden talents on the audition ramp. They had to face the three judges, and their talents were judged on the basis of how they walked on the ramp, how they introduced themselves, and how they faired in the Q & A round.

The three judges for the audition were- Actor Anoop Sagar, who has done Tulu language films, and popularly known for his lead role in first international Tulu Movie Nirel shot in the Gulf-plus he is an enthusiast and a lover of dance, he was also a part of the famous entertainment troupe called Ocean Kids Dance Company; Ms Varsha Rohit- a Indian Athelte, fashion and fitness model, influencer, National gold medalist, Redbull and Adidas ambassador, been an athelete for the last 10 years and is currently training for the world champs and Olympic trails, been in the fashion industry for 5 years and worked with various actors and reality tv stars, shot by Bollywood photographers like Daboo Rathnani and Colston Julian, and worked for various designers; and Ms Jeanne Crasta, who has actively contributes to the world of beauty, fashion and social work for the last 2 decades. She is passionate about the welfare of abandoned animals in our society and has focused her energy to raise awareness for this social clause. In addition to her work on social change she manages an exclusive bridal and party makeup studio, where she transforms women to glamour queens for their special day.

“I would just close my eyes and imagine standing in front of thousands of flashlights,” said a contestant, almost spontaneously, when one of the judges asked about her first memory of wanting to win a beauty pageant. The answer seemed to strike a chord with the other contestants, many of whom enthusiastically nodded their heads. The city may have taken its time to warm up to the beauty industry, but it does have hundreds of women not only dreaming of making it big in the modelling world but also working hard to get there.

The excitement and anxiety were very much evident in this first audition round. Though most of them seemed confident, one could hear the odd hurried whisper or hushed query. One of the contestant coolly handled the query of a judge who was curious to know what she do if asked to choose between medicine and the crown. “Well, one is an ambition, the other, passion. I will choose to balance them out,” she said. The ramp walk and introduction rounds were followed by a spree of questions which saw some rattle off rehearsed lines while others exercised restraint. The results will be declared soon and only a few will be chosen to participate in another set of qualifying rounds.

Outside the room, a very tense mother of one of the participants waited for her daughter, said “There is a lot of preparation involved and she is ready to put in all the effort. From dieting to wearing properly-styled clothes, she is doing everything possible. She never misses a single fashion show in the city. It took us time to understand she was serious about fashion. Now her grandparents too want her to become a star.” This mother was not the only one-sitting alongside her were many such parents. “My daughter is into singing, dancing and acting. And this is just to give her the confidence to perform better. No matter how much we support children and help nurture their dreams, the fear and stigma about some fields remain. That is why I accompany her wherever she goes,” said a beaming and proud mother of a contestant, who got married recently.

Speaking to Team Mangalorean, Ms Soujanya Hegde said that ‘Mrs. Mangalore’ is a movement aimed at providing married women a platform to showcase their talents, leadership skills and their confidence. The women who enter this prestigious program embark on a life changing journey, are strong willed, ambitious women who aspire and strive to be the best version of themselves. Soujanya Hegde who had participated in the ‘Mrs. India Worldwide in 2017’ and was awarded the title of “Mrs. Popular” on this international platform, and during the course of the event she learned how to project confidence, improved on her speaking skills and was groomed by professionals who helped her shine on the international arena. This wonderful experience led her to believe that the women of Kudla deserved an experience like this, and so this “Mrs. Mangalore” was initiated.

“We were wonderfully surprised with the positive response we received from interested Mangaloreans scattered all over the country. They are thrilled that married women are getting such an exciting platform. Having been an integral part of “Dance Mummy Dance”, I am well aware of the potential and the limitations of a married woman, and I am determined to break these stereotypes. Unlike how the conventional beauty and pageant industry is perceived, “Mrs. Mangalore” will go beyond the physical aspects factors and focus on their personality and their contributions towards being a productive member of society”, added Ms Hegde.

“Mrs. Mangalore” has collaborated with JCI Mangalore Lalbagh, Zone XV, JCI INDIA for community development activities, and proceeds from this event will be contributed to the IMPACT 2030 project. This project includes “SURAKSHA”, an installation of pad burning machine; “QUALITY EDUCATION”, featuring scholarships and youth empowerment via skill development programs and many more such programs. The organizers have invited leaders in the grooming, fitness and personality development industry to train the contestants and polish their presentation skills. So, for all these 25 married women of Mangaluru it was an opportunity of a lifetime, to get ready to put their best feet forward, move out of their comfort zone and show the world what a woman can do if she sets her mind to it. And looking at all these contestants on the ramp unleashing their hidden talents during the audition, did prove that ‘Women Empowerment” did work, and that Women too can rock the world?.

Dr Edward Lewis of Bejai, Mangaluru speaking to Team Mangalorean, who had escorted his daughter Dr Angelita Lewis, one of the contestant, said, ” My daughter right from her young age was creative. She liked to participate in every event whether in school or college. She is very entertaining and bold, full of determination and courage, where she is ready to take up any challenges in life. I have always supported her and encouraged her whenever she accepts the gauntlet to take part in any contest. As they say that ‘winning is not important, but participation is important’, therefore I salute my daughter for accepting this challenge after getting married, and taking part in this pageant. I wish her best of luck”

This contest is loaded with prizes/hampers, including cash totaling to a sum of Rs 1,50,000, and apart from Three Top winners ‘Mrs Mangalore’, 1 st and II nd Runner Up, there will be prizes for ‘ Mrs Beautiful Smile’; ‘Mrs Photogenic’; ‘Mrs Popular’; ‘Mrs Beauty with a Purpose’; ‘Mrs Timeless Beauty’; ‘Mrs Beautiful Hair’; ‘Mrs Fit and Fabulous’; ‘Mrs Inspiration’; ‘Mrs Runway’; ‘Mrs Fashion Icon’; ‘Mrs Talented’ and ‘Mrs Multi-Tasker’. This platform will take all these contestants on a journey of a lifetime and will allow them to dream and help them to turn those dreams into realities.

So to all these 25 beautiful and sizzling Married women contestants of “Mrs Mangaluru”, who are healthy and beauty conscious, and who are brave and have in them to be the voice of change, and who have already signed up for the ride of their life and discover a new in them, Team Mangalorean says , “Good Luck all You Sweethearts, and Go Get The Crown”!

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Also Read :

• Kudla Mom Soujanya Hegde Aspiring for ‘Haut Monde Mrs. India Worldwide 17’ Title
• Kudla Mom Soujanya Hegde is ‘Mrs Popular’ at ‘Mrs India Worldwide 2017’ Pageant