Yakshamitraru Dubai to celebrate 22nd Annual Day with Sabarimala Swami Ayyappa Yakshagana Performance
Dubai: Yakshamitraru Dubai, one of the oldest Yakshagana groups in the Gulf region, marked its 22nd anniversary with a grand celebration featuring the muhurat puja of their upcoming historical play Sabarimala Swami Ayyappa. The event held under the esteemed direction of Kishore Kumar Gatty Uchila and the dynamic leadership of Chidananda Poojari, was a beautiful reflection of tradition and devotion.
The muhurat puja ceremony was led by Laxminarayan Bhat, Venkatesh Shastry, and Santhosh Rao, under the guidance of Puthige Vasudev Bhat, at the exquisitely decorated mandap at the VK Exhibitions and Décor auditorium in Dubai Industrial City (DIC). Following the Mangala Aarathi by Puthige Vasudev Bhat and Radhesham, the name of this year’s Yakshagana performance, Sabarimala Swami Ayyappa was unveiled in a ceremonial moment of great significance.
The program also featured a beautiful performance by the students and Balakrishna Shettigar, who presented a scene from Devendrara Odoolaga under the guidance of Yaksha Guru Kishore Gatty Uchila, supported by Krishna Prasad Rao in Bhagavathike, Venkatesh Shastry on Chende, and Rajesh Uchila on Maddalae.
The event saw the presence of several leaders and officials from various Kannada organizations and community leaders from across the UAE, all of whom extended their support for the upcoming event. The collaboration of Mogaveera Bhajana teams, Deepak for the spectacular puja mandap decorations, Amar Umesh Nanthoor for audio and sound, and the self-volunteering Biruver Kudla team in the Mahaprasad distribution was recognized with felicitations for their invaluable contributions.
Chidananda Poojari, the founder and conveyor of Yakshamitraru Dubai, expressed special thanks to Radheshamji of VK Exhibitions and Décor for generously sponsoring the venue for Yakshagana practice sessions. He also extended his gratitude to all sponsors, community leaders, organization heads, guests, volunteers, members, media, and all Yakshagana enthusiasts for their unwavering support and cooperation in making the event a resounding success.
The program was compered by Rithesh Anchan, who also offered a heartfelt vote of thanks to all who contributed to the event’s success.
This landmark occasion not only highlighted Yakshamitraru Dubai’s continued cultural contributions but also strengthened the bonds within the community, ensuring that the tradition of Yakshagana thrives in the Gulf region.