Polali Tigers Win ‘Pilinalike 6’ with Mesmerizing Stunts, Former Minister U T Khader Inaugurates Pilinalike Pratishtana
Mangaluru: The Polali Tigers team emerged winners, Gorakshaknath Tigers’ first runners-up and Mulihithlu Games Team second runner-up in “PiliNalike 6”, held at the Volleyball grounds, Mangala Stadium here on October 7.
Nine teams participated in the Pilinalike Season 6. On the occasion, “Pilinalike Pratishtana”, a trust to help the tiger dancers and their families was inaugurated by former minister U T Khader.
Addressing the gathering U T Khader said, “I would like to congratulate Mithun Rai and Dr Shivasharan Shetty for encouraging the Tiger dancers and retaining the popular art of Tulunadu. From the past six years, youth leader Mithun Rai and Dr Shivasharan Shetty are organizing Pilinalike which is a successful annual event. Tiger dance is a popular art of Tulunadu and people have gathered here in large numbers. In the coming days, we should all recommend the Dakshina Kannada Pilinalike to recognized by the Kannada and Cultural Department. I congratulate Mithun Rai and Dr Shivasharan for keeping the tiger dance alive.”
U T Khader further said, “Every year I ask Mithun whether the trust to help the tiger dancers and their families has been registered or not, this time Mithun said that the trust has been registered and today we are inaugurating it. Through the trust, Mithun Rai wants to help the tiger dancers and their families as well as the education of their children which is a good thought. I will try my best to help this trust according to my capacity. I will see to it that in the future, PiliNalike will be organized with the help of the Kannada and Cultural Department. In this world anyone can be an MLA, MP, CM or PM but during Navaratri, people join in a place to watch tiger dance and get the blessings from them which is a rare opportunity one gets. I congratulate Mithun for his initiative in retaining PiliNalike. I wish all the 9 teams all the very best, all the teams have performed well.”
Addressing the gathering Former MLA J R Lobo said, “From the past 6 years Mithun Rai and Dr Shivasharan Shetty are organizing PiliNalike. When we were small during Dasara we used to go behind the tiger dancers to watch their dance. But now these two youngsters have made arrangements for the people of Mangaluru to come and watch the PiliNalike in a particular place. I wish Mithun all the very best and congratulate the winners.”
Addressing the gathering MLA of North Constituency Dr Bharat Shetty said, “In Dakshina Kannada, we have the Kambala which is a traditional sport of Tulunadu likewise PiliNalike is also a traditional art. When people were losing interest in the tiger dance and there were lack artistes to continue the art of Tulunadu, Mithun Rai encouraged the youth by organizing Pilinalike. I wish Mithun Rai and Dr Shivasharan Shetty all the very best and wish them good luck.”
Mithun Rai briefed on the Pilinalike trust and said, “Actually I thought that the programme would end at 9:00 pm. Since the programme was delayed I did not get the opportunity to go to the temple for the darshan of the Goddess, but the tiger dancers brought the Goddess on stage. The society does not encourage tiger dancers. The tiger dance teams are not wealthy, they need our support. Keeping their welfare in mind I decided to start a trust for them. The trust will help the tiger dancers in their needs and also support their children to continue their education when they face financial problems.”
Mithun Rai before announcing the winners said, “Winning and losing is part of the game, but this stage is not for winning or losing. We have organized PiliNalike to encourage the tiger dancers. The tiger dancers are dancing for their satisfaction and not to win prizes. Today the 9 teams here have presented their skills on this stage. Actually, all the 9 teams here are the winners. The judges had a very tough time to select the winners. Following the rules of the competition, three winners have been selected”.
The following are the winners of “PiliNalike 6″:
- Winner – Polali Tiger Dance Team (Rs 2.5 lakh and Trophy)
- 1st runner up – Gorakshaknath Tiger team Jeppu (Rs 1.5 lakh and Trophy)
- 2nd runner up – Mulihithlu Games Team (Rs 1 lakh and Trophy)
- Best child (Cub) dancer – Polali Tigers
- Best Black tiger – Chilimbi Friends
- Best ‘Tasse’ drum-beating – Yemmekere Friends Circle
- Tossing off the Akki mudi – Yemmekere Friends Circle
- Best Painting – Sharadamba Tigers Porkodi
