Sunil Shetty accompanied by Rajyotsava awardee folk artiste Machar Gopala Naika inaugurated the cultural extravaganza at the main pandal by beating ‘dollu’ amidst thunderous applause from the jam-packed stadium. All the three artistes, who hail from the coastal region, addressed the mammoth gathering in fluent Tulu. While Sunil Shetty hails from Mulky, Leelavathi is from Padil near Mangalore.
“Tuluverenaat kashta jeevilu prapanchodu olula ijjer. Aikkathra jagattuda maata kadetla tuluver uller,” (There are no other people in the world as hardworking as Tuluvas. Therefore, there are Tuluvas everywhere in the world), Shetty spoke fluently.
Vinod Raj known for his singing and dancing talent in Kannada film industry enthralled the audience with a Tulu song and a dance which was followed by various folk performances.
The gathering also enjoyed a saxophone concert by renowned artiste Kadri Gopalanath, and a Tulu play ‘Ankaboolya’ staged by ‘Kadala Nada Kalavider, Kudla’.
People enjoyed a cultural variety on different stages performed simultaneously. The SDM College quadrangle witnessed dance variety by Shantha Padvetnaya, and Lakshmi Gururaj and Sudhir Rao troupe. At the same time Tulu orchestra was performing on another stage in the quadrangle of the Kannada Medium School. Entertainment and educative programmes went on at the food festival venue, in front of SDM PUC Ladies Hostel and at Ujire town simultaneously till late night.