Muscat: Mogaveers (MM Koota) had a rocking time at a family get-together held recently at the Rubby Ball Room, Hotel Crystal Suits, Wadi Kabir. The programme was organized by the newly constituted Executive Committee under the able guidance of founding members Dr Shekar Salian, Koni Prakash Naik and Ramanand Kunder.
The new Executive Committee comprising of a few experienced stalwarts and some aspiring youngsters was formed just a month ago. Although it was quite a challenging task to organize an event in such a short time, the new committee members set about the new task with vigour and unity.
The memorable evening started with registration of the MM Koota members and the registration counter was well handled by our executive members Jyothi Shivaram, Dhananjay Mendon, Manoj Puthran, Amita Sujith, Naveen Kanchan and Yashwanth Mendon.
The stage was well set and decorated with a beautifully designed banner sponsored by Shivaram Kanchan. Girish Kanchan arranged Mallige (Jasmin) flowers from Mangalore for the entire decoration. A team of volunteers did a wonderful job in decorating the stage that was looking awesome.
The event was elaborately conceptualized, meticulously planned and efficiently executed by the newly formed Executive Committee members of MM Koota.
Core Committee:
Dr Shekar Salian : Hon. President
Koni Prakash Naik : Vice President
Ramanand Kunder : Vice President
Sharath Kumar ` : Cultural Co-ordinator
Padmakar Mendon : Public Relations Co-ordinator
Girish Kanchan : Fund Raising Co-ordinator
Vishwanath Bangera : Sports Co-ordinator
Aarathi Ravi Kanchan : General Secretary
Sujatha Lokesh : Joint Secretary
Rajesh Salian : Treasurer
Sub-Committee Members:
Cultural Committee: Sahana Girish, Ashok Kotian, Roopa Umesh, Harish Bangera and Sharath Shriyan.
Sports Committee: Shivaram Kanchan, Girish Salian, Ravi Amin and Manoj Puthran.
Public Relations Committee: Dhananjay Mendon, Naveen Kanchan, Yeshwanth Mendon, Heema Suvarna and Umesh.
Fund Raising Committee: Ashish Kumar, Ashok Kanchan, Shesh Kanchan, Devanand Amin and Jyothi Shivaram (Jt. Treasurer)
Advisory Committee Members: Dr Madhava Hejmady, Dr Ranjan, Shrinivas Shriyan, Shirish Kumar and Shashi Puthran.
The programme triggered off with a welcome address by the Vice President, Koni Prakash Naik followed by lighting the traditional lamp by the Hon. President Dr Shekar Salian and his better-half Leelavathi Shekar Salian. Divya Ashok Kotian rendered a melodious devotional prayer song “gananayakaya ganadaivataya ganadhyakshaya dhimahi”. Immediately, after that a tiger dance was rhythmically performed by Sandesh and Raveesh during which Laddoos were also distributed to all the members which was sponsored by Ashish Kumar.
In his welcome speech Prakash Naik extended a warm welcome and also briefed the august gathering that the basic purpose of MM Koota’s family meet was to thank all the founding members, ex-committee members for their contributions and to introduce the newly elected young team to the audience. Some of the Bovi community members (who are also part of Mogaveera clan) were also present at the family meet. They were also greeted with a warm and hearty welcome. Thereafter, all the newly elected committee members were introduced to around 300 members present.
Dr Shekar Salian while conveying his best wishes to all members present; also thanked all the new and outgoing committee members and all those who have been instrumental and part of MM Koota’s success over the past several years.
Vishwanath Bangera, the Sports Co-ordinator, gave a detailed note on the recently concluded Kudla Friends Sports event “Kudla Cup” and in particular MM Koota’s members participation in the same and our achievements. MM Koota’s men’s team emerged as the winners of Cricket event defeating the Billava team in the finals. Also, MM Koota’s women team clinched the runners-up trophy. The members of Winning and Runners-Up team were felicitated with Gold and Silver medals respectively. Medals were sponsored by Shri Vishwanath Bangera.
Aarthi Kanchan, the General Secretary, threw some light on the performance of the new committee thus far and also explained about MM Koota’s vision and mission. She added that our objectives are not just meeting and greeting, fun and frolic, but it will include various community welfare activities, such as supporting the community people in need of financial help, extending medical help to needy community people in Muscat and back in India, recognizing the talents of the community children in various fields and suitably felicitate them, supporting the community people in finding employment opportunities, helping the mogaveera boys and girls in matrimonial alliance, conducting blood donation drives etc., to name a few.
It was now time to get on with the much awaited cultural extravaganza. Shirish Kumar (one of the founding members and also one of the members of the Advisory Committee) took charge of hosting the cultural programs and he did it splendidly with his wits and sense of humor cracking occasionally funny jokes which were thoroughly enjoyed by the audience.
MM Koota’s tiny tots Harshil Padmakar, Jeeval Padmakar, Sohan Girish, Sharath Devanand, Niketan Puspharaj and Sushmitha Shesh presented a scintillating bollywood dance performance. The audience couldn’t stop clapping and applauding their power packed performance and enjoyed every bit of it.
Another multi-talented boy, Master Mithil Kanchan gave a foot tapping and an electrifying solo dance performance which was liked by one and all.
Divya Kotian, Ashok Kotian and Koni Prakash Naik regaled the audience by singing some beautiful Hindi, Kannada and Tulu songs in their melodious voice. Divya sang “Jiya Jiya Re Jiya”, “Dil Ko Hazar Baar Tokha” and “Tujse Naaraz Nahi Zindagi”. Ashok Kotian renderd a famousTulu song “Mokeda Singari” and a Hindi song “Chandan Sa Badan”.
Prakash Naik sang a Hindi number “Sochenge Tume Pyaar Kar Ke Nahi” and a Kannada hit solo song “Elliruve Manava Kaaduva Roopasiye”, followed by two duets with Divya Kotian, viz. “Dil Hai Ke Maanta Nahi” and “Aysi Diwanagi Dekhi Nahi Kahi”
Now it was time for MM Koota lady members to showcase their dancing skills. Three beautiful ladies Vandana Padmakar, Roopa Umesh and Heema Suvarna danced to the tune of “Dolu Baaje Dolu Baaje Dum Dum Baaje Dol”. Their power packed performance was so well synchronized and rhythmic that stole the hearts of all the audience.
Shivram Kanchan and his team presented a rib tickling skit titled “Pancha Vaidya Shikhamani” wherein four differently abled Doctors were to treat a patient. The first Doctor enacted by Ashok Kotian was an addict of Yakshagana play and he tries to treat the patient in yakshagana style, the second Doctor was a disco maniac enacted by Shesh Kanchan who tries to treat the patient in his own inimitable break dance style, the third Doctor, Roshan Kunder, who is obsessed with Karate, tries to treat the patient in martial arts way and finally a drunken Doctor played by Ashok Kanchan was the height of comedy, who finally succeeds in treating the patient with his spirits. Patient and Care Taker’s roles were efficiently enacted by Umesh Kumar and Vishwanath Bangera Watching this hilarious comedy skit the audience drowned in a sea of laughter for quite some time.
Another cute little girl Khashvi Lokanath presented a beautiful dance performance for the song “Dol Baje Dol” in her own unique style and received a massive round of applause from the audience.
The DJ of the evening Raj Sanil excellently managed the sound system and music track presentation. Also, he rendered a famous Hindi duet “Masha Allah Masha Allah” with Divya Kotian.
“Nammoora Santhe” another hilarious skit conceptualized and directed by Prakash Naik was presented at the end of the cultural program segment. Nammoora Santhe (market) was recreated in Muscat in our village style introducing charectors like vegetable vendors, fruit vendors, lemon vendors, beggars, Ice Candy seller and Tapori (Goon). Also, an added attraction was TV news reporter taking interviews of the vendors. Performers were Sharat Kumar (Apple Vendor), Shesh Kanchan (Vegetable Vendor) Umesh Kumar (Lemon vendor), Ashok Kotian (beggar), Pushparaj and Ashok Kanchan (drunkards), Vishwanath Bangera (Tapori), Shivaram Kanchan (Ice Candy Seller), Prakash Naik and Padmakar Mendon were News Reporter and Cameraman, respectively.
Sharat Kumar conducted a round of quiz contest with questions asked on the spot. Winners were presented with attractive prizes sponsored by the Quiz Master himself.
All the participant children and ladies were presented with prizes which were sponsored by Padmakar Mendon and Shesh Kanchan. Chocolate goody bags were given to all the children sponsored by Smt. Sahana Girish.
Main sponsors of the evening – Mahabal Mendon, Girish Kanchan, Ashish Kumar and Ashok Kanchan. Support sponsors -Dr Shekar Salian, Prakash Naik, Padmakar Mendon, Shrinivas Shriyan, Shesha Kanchan and Devanand Amin.
At the end of the program a raffle draw was conducted and two Lucky Mogaveers, viz. Harish Bangera and Sucheth Puthran walked away with 32″ LED TV which was sponsored by Ashish Kumar and committee members respectively.
Sujatha Lokesh proposed the vote of thanks expressing our wholehearted gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and all the concerned Ministries, and our thanks to all the sponsors, members, the hotel management, the DJ and to all those who supported directly or indirectly and stood shoulder to shoulder unstintingly. .
The whole evening stretching for almost four hours was filled with fun & frolic, music & dance, skits & quizzes and to end with a lavish dinner.
Just like all good things come to an end the Muscat Mogaveers’ family day too came to an end with everyone curiously asking “Nana Yepa” (when is the next programme?).
