Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha to celebrate Rajyotsava on Nov 3; Bendre award for Shettigar

Shodhan Prasad
October 24, 2017

Abu Dhabi, Oct 24: Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha, one of the premier association for Kannadigas in UAE, will be honouring Yakshagana stalwart Shekhar D Shettigar with ‘Da Ra Bendre Award’ during their Karnataka Rajyotsava celebration programme scheduled forNovember 3, at India Social Centre Auditorium.  The day-long event of cultural activities will start at 10 a.m. being presided by patron Padmashree Dr. B.R. Shetty and other guests.

Hailing from a beautiful place called Kinnigoli in Dakshina Kannada District of Karnataka State, Shekar D. Shettigar is a well-known name in Yakshagana Art, born in the year 1966 to proud parents Damodhar&MohiniShettigar.  Currently serving in NMC Group Company he is married to Shantha who is serving as Main Teacher in Mahalaxmi English Medium School, Uchila and blessed with 2 sons Hrishikesh & Vighnesh who are pursuing their pre-degree courses.

Shekar Shettigar’s family has been carrying on this traditional ancient Yakshagana Art for more than four decades.  Grandfather Veerayya Shettigar was a well know reciter of Shani Pooja while father DamodharShettigar was an artiste who has served as an actor, choreographer, costume designer and makeup artiste for more than three decades.

Served as an professional artiste in Kateel, Iruvailu & Saukoor Troupes, he had participated in various occasions and achieved appreciation throughout.  He is also the founder of ‘Mohini Kala Sangha’ who provide assistance to various Troupes serving in Yakshagana Art.

Shekar’s elder sister, Vedavathi Shettigar too is well known as an honorary participant in various Yakshagana presentations specially in Surathkal&Aruva Troupes.  His brothers SadashivaShettigar, GangadharShettigar&BalakrishnaShettigar too have contributed to this great art having participated in Yakshagana’s various fields including acting in Dramas and assisting in make-up.

Both the children of Shekar are trained under Yakshagana Stalwarts like Rajesh Kateel,HarinarayanBeyipadithaaya& Ganesh Kolakadi for drum beats & reciters of Yakshagana Art.  His niece & nephews too are actively involved in Yakshagana and are promoters of this Art.

Shekar Shettigar’s foot prints

With the initial training Shekar received from his father, he continued to attain further training from KateelShrinivas Bhat, Kolyar Ramachandra Bhat, ILokesh Kumar & Ganesh Kolakaadi and shaped up his knowledge with these stalwarts.

At the age of 12 he presented his first entry at Mumbai’s Shanmukhanand Hall participating and enacting roles of Babruvahana & Pradhunya and attained good appreciation in his maiden appearance. Continued his passion towards Yakshagana and had served with Mumbai Narayana Guruswamy Yakshagana Mandali, Veerabadra Yuvaka Mandala, Taalapaadi, Durgaparameshwari Yakshagana Mandali, Mundkoor, Nandikoor Mandali etc.  Continued his passion as profession and was with Shree Bhagavathi Mela, Sasihithlu from year 2002 till 2004 and then from year 2004 to 2008 he served for Shree Durgaparameshwari Mela, Kateel and achieved lot of appreciations.

Shekar also contributed his time training and directing youths into this Art.  He served for Veerabadra Yuvaka Mandala, Thenku Yermal Higher Primary School, Higher Primary School, Ullanje, Kateel, Alvas Dheenkita Training Centre, Moodabidri & Yashamithraru Dubai.

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

Attained first, second & third place for consecutive 4 years (from year 2000 to 2003) in Thenkuthittu Amateur Yakshagana Competition

In the year 2004 attained first place in the Yakshagana ‘Moksha Sangrama’ a competition conducted by Nandakeshwar Temple, Panambur, Mangalore.

In the year 2007 attained first place in the Yakshagana ‘YaagaSangarsha’ a competition conducted by Subramanya Temple, Sooda.

Won first place in various competitons held by AlvasOrganisations, Moodabidri specially directing plays like SudarshanaVijaya, MohiniYekadashi, TaranisenaKalaga, SudanwaKalaga etc.

In 2010 won first place for the play ‘MohiniYekadashi’ specially written & directed for Alvas Group

In the year 2000, 2001 & 2002 won first place for ‘Panduvehsa’, ‘Devavritha’, ‘Sudanwa’ & ‘Taranisena’ in consecutive Kanthavara Competitions.

Attained first place at Nandakeshwara competition in his role as Taranisena.

On the whole Shekar Shettigar has dedicated his life for ‘Yakshagana Art’ and his contribution to this is remarkable.  He put his heart and soul into this dying art and his selfless effort in maintaining this ancient art is commendable.  He deserves this appreciation and honour as identified by Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha who has decided to honour him this year with ‘Da Ra Bendre Award’. 

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News Network
November 18,2024

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Dubai: A 15-year-old Indian expat boy drowned after he was caught by huge waves in the sea off Mamzar Beach in Dubai. 

Ahmed Abdulla Mafaz, a 15-year-old school student in Dubai, died while his sister Fathima, a university student, was rescued, according to their father Mohammed Ashraf. The family hails from Kerala’s Kasaragod.

The grieving father said the incident happened when the Indian expat family went for an outing at the beach park.

Recounting what happened, he said: “We were all sitting on the beach and playing around in the water. I had just gone to the washroom when it [the tragedy] happened.”

He said both Mafaz and Fathima knew how to swim and it was not clear how they were swept away.

“I think there were huge waves and they got pulled by the strong current.”

Fathima’s screams for help were heard by another beachgoer who rushed to rescue her. “He is an Arab national. He rescued our daughter. We have no words to thank him,” the father said.

However, there was no sign of Mafaz, a grade 10 student of New Indian Model School in Dubai.

Meanwhile, the police were called in. Dubai Police said they received a call about two persons drowning.

“As soon as we received the report, the rescue team from the Ports Police Station in Dubai conducted a search,” a spokesperson said. 

However, there was no luck on Friday night. The search operation was intensified with divers and drones on Saturday, following which the boy’s body was fished out on Saturday evening.

The family has decided to lay him to rest in Dubai once the legal procedures are over, said Ibrahim Berike, a member of the volunteering team from Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC) that is providing supportfor the paper work.

He said the family is shattered after the devastating tragedy. “They have four children. Fathima, who is doing MBA, is the eldest daughter. Mafaz was the third child. His other two siblings are also boys. Their mother, who was also there on the beach, is inconsolable,” he added.

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News Network
November 13,2024

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In the heart of Mangaluru, where rising air pollution is spurring public health worries, voices are calling for a greener, cleaner shift in the city’s public transport. Leading this call is APD Foundation, a Mangaluru-based environmental NGO, which has urged Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre to mandate electric vehicle (EV) adoption in public transport.

Abdullah A Rehman, CEO of APD Foundation, emphasized in a formal letter to the minister that Mangaluru’s public transportation system—efficient and organized with both government and private players—could transition smoothly to EVs in stages. He suggested that government-backed financial incentives, partnerships with EV manufacturers, and collaborations with environmental groups could streamline the switch.

Rehman stressed the potential of EVs to cut down emissions, enhance air quality, and reduce noise levels, noting the quieter operation of electric buses. He confirmed that a copy of his letter was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner as well.

However, Dilraj Alva from the Dakshina Kannada City Bus Association noted potential challenges, explaining that the shift might take up to two years due to infrastructure and budget hurdles. Most EV buses, he explained, are procured through aggregators, not directly by individual operators. The addition of charging stations and other essential infrastructure further complicates the transition.

Alva also raised the economic concern: while diesel buses are priced between ₹30-40 lakh, electric buses can cost up to ₹1 crore. Reflecting on recent meetings with companies, including one in Manipal, he questioned the assumption that EVs are an absolute solution to pollution. “EVs aren’t entirely eco-friendly, especially when considering battery disposal,” he cautioned.

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News Network
November 11,2024

Mangaluru: Six youths including teenagers have been arrested by the Bantwal Rural Police in connection with a brutal assault on 21-year-old Aboobakar (name changed to hide identity), an incident that was widely shared on social media after footage revealed the victim tied to a pole and violently beaten.

The arrested individuals, all from Kanchinadkapadavu, Sajipanadu village in Ullal Taluk, have been identified as Mohammad Sapwan (25), Mohammad Rizwan (25), Irfan (27), Anis Ahmad (19), Nasir (27), and Shakeer (18). According to police reports, the assault took place on November 7 in Kanchinadkapadavu.

The sequence of events began when Aboobakar was reportedly called to a residence in Kanchinadkapadavu by a female relative. Upon his arrival, he was confronted by the accused, who questioned his presence, tied him to a pole with ropes, and attacked him while he was shirtless. 

Aboobakar managed to file a police complaint the following day, detailing the assault. As his injuries worsened, he was admitted to a private hospital in Mangaluru.

While in the hospital, Aboobakar alleged that his attackers intended to kill him during the assault. This statement led to additional charges of attempted murder being filed. 

Police officials stated that the suspects were subsequently apprehended, charged with group assault and attempted murder, and placed in judicial custody. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are awaited.

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