"Bharatnatyam Rangapravesha”  of Miss Stenita F. Lewis

The nimble-footed and talented daughter of veteran photographer Stephen and Gretta Lewis (Barkur) Saligrama, Stenita F Lewis, is all set to create history at 6.00 pm on Sunday December 4 at Maithri Hall, Sastan near here, in the presence of distinguished guests and a number of art-lovers .

It will be her "Bharatnatyam Rangapravesha” day, indeed a great day for the young and emerging talent Stenita.

Bharatnatyam is a popular and well-disciplined classical dance format in India. It is said ‘all are invited, a few are selected’.

Stenita is the only issue of her parents. But having come from a devout family, it is indeed a rare choice that she took up ‘Bharatnatyam’ to excel in.   So is art. One can choose, cherish and excel in any discipline, but only a few ‘master in his/her chosen field’.

She has not only learned the art under the able guidance of Vidwan Sridhar Rao, Bannanje, Udupi, an accomplished teacher, but she is all set for her 'aramgetram'.

Supported and encouraged by her parents, Stenita, a II year PUC student, is known for her keen interest in the art. 

She has recently passed the Bharatnatyam Senior grade exam with flying colors. She is also practising Karnatic Music and learning violin.

The stage pragramme will be presided over by Jayaprakash Hegde, MLA, Brahmavar.  Fr Denis D’Sa, director, Sandesha Lalitkala Mahavidyalaya, Mangalore will grace the occasion and light the lamp. 

Fr Louis D’Sa, parish priest, St. Ann’s Church, Thottam, Fr Vincent Martis, parish priest, St.Antony’s Church, Sastan, Valentine D’Souza, Kundapur police circle inspector and Kishore Gonsalves, Barkur will be the chief guests of the evening.

Stenita is perhaps the first from the minority communities to reach this level at this young age in the whole district of Udupi.

Barkur Kambala

The 15^th annual buffalo racing event  , traditional “Barkur Kambala”  organized by the Nadumane Family  was held on 26^th November 2005 at Hanehalli Barkur. More than 50 pairs of Buffalos participated in the event.

Mr. Jayaprakash Hegde, M.L.A. presided over the  stage programme. Mr. Amaregowda Baiyapura, Cabinet minister for Sugar and Textiles, was the chief guest. Mr. Vitthal S. Hegde, Vice President, Hotel Owners association, Mr.Shantharam Shetty, President, Barkur Mandala Panchayath, and Mr. Ramananda Shetty, President , Hanehalli, Mandala Panchayath were the guests of honor. Mr.Gunapala Kadamba, Secretary, Dakshina Kannada Jilla Kambala Samithi was felicitated on the occasion.

News and Fotografs: Mayur Digitals, Brahmavar

 Obituary

Sylvia Frederick D’Almeida (56), Barkur, wife of Frederick D’Almeida, Mother of Smitha/Roshan and Santosh passed away on Wednesday November 23.

Funeral cortege leaves residence at Halekodi for St Peter’s Church, Barkur at 3-30 pm on Friday November 25.

Bharatnatyam Artiste Sushma Kamath , Barkur Excels in 'Nava-rasa' Display.

As part of the Sangeet Mahotsav being held in Goa Kala Academy premises  Bharatnatyam artiste Sushma Kamath from Barkur  made an impressive presentation of her dancing skills and 'mudras'. She is the daughter of entrepreneur Mr.Y.Mohandas Kamath of Shri Durga Traders, Barkur.

 In her  performance,  Sushma displayed the all Navarasas namely Shrungar, Karun , Veer, Adbhut, Hasya , Bhayanak, Bibhatsa, Rudra and Shant splendidly . Above all, for classical art and music enthusiasts, it was cream of a treat.

First Holy Communion at Barkur

14 children from Barkur parish received their first holy communion at St.Peter’s Church on 6^th November. Barkuronline congratulate these children and wish God’s choicest blessings on them.

Spectacular Baila Show at Mumbai

The Baila Show organized by St.Peter’s Association (Barkur) Mumbai to mark the 17 successful years of existence at Mumabi   was a thumping success with the jam packed crowd at the Bhaidas Maganlal A.C. hall at Ville Parle.

Vishwa Konkani Kala Ratna and the present Konkani Sahitya Academy president Eric Ozario is having an untiring task in Mumbai, despite his four consecutive shows in three days. Konkani-lovers of Mumbai have not seen such a rich combination of songs, dance and skits bundled together in a complete modern style for many years now. The huge applause from the crowd song after song was authentic proof to the quality shows of 'Baila International'. Credit goes to Mandd Sobhann Gurkar Eric Ozario for his well-disciplined and professional approach towards the artistes and the event.

Before the presentation of Baila show there was a brief stage programme to felicitate guests, sponsors and office-bearers. Businessman and politician John Rebello was the chief guest. Eric Ozario, other well-known businessmen Harry Rebello, John D'Souza, Freddie Fernandes, singer Henry D’Souza, Steven Picardo, Violet J Rebello, John D'Souza, Rons Bantwal of Daijiworld.com, Lawrence Coelho of Divo and organizer Henry D'Silva were all present on the stage. President Henry Roche welcomed the gathering, vice president Peter Furtado, former president Felix Barns presented bouquets to the guests. Ivan Rebello compered the stage programme and Ida Roach proposed vote of thanks.

The Baila show presented by Mandd Sobhann troupe indeed won the hearts of thousands of Konkani music and culture lovers who witnessed the show.

Karnataka Rajyotsava award winner Eric proved that he can entertain the crowds with the full youthful spirit. Joyce Ozario, Zeena, Felix, Prakash and Adolf too were successful in stealing the hearts of music-lovers through their melodious voices.

Some of the hit numbers sung with the baila beat were Mumbai Sherache Matient, Savlo Tuka, Shenddo, Ghoddgoddaita, Santanam, Vodda Ponda, Sezarachem Sunnem, Jam Zalom, Ashim Sopnnam, Punve Chan'nem, Festa Santek, Ie Moga, Altoddicho Lok, Tonnier Tonni, Ravre Nhesun, Paizonnam and Shirandarincho Paus. The only song sung without baila beat was the good old hit song, 'Rosaline mhojea mogachem'.

After the hit baila songs accomanied by the attractive dances, a non-stop baila string of songs was also presented for the whole crowd on the floor for dancing.

Instrumentalists Jerome Coelho (Bass guitar), Melvyn Fernandes (Drums), Alwyn Fernandes (Lead Guitar), Roshan Crasta (Rhythm guitar), Umesh Suratkal (Trumpet), Sunil Kumar (Violin) and Onil (Keyboard) gave an exciting combination of music in accompaniment.

Dances were choreographed by Chetan Salian, with co-artistes Shilpa, Seema, Sweety, Merola, Snehal, Anil, Avil and Pramod.

Wilfred Mascarenhas, Wilson, Divya and the Master of Ceremonies Stany Alvares kept the crowd in a joyous mood throughout the show through their hilarious jokes. Kingsly Nazareth was the Team Manager.

-With  inputs and fotografs from www.daijiworld.com

Mary Teacher passed away

Mary D’Almeida, (89 years) popularly known as Mary teacher passed away peacefully on 20^th October 2005 at her residence in Rayara Thota, Kachur Village, Barkur.  She is buried at the the cemetery of St.Peter’s Church Barkur on 22^nd October.

Mary Teacehr as she was known, was teaching at Maryknoll Higher Primary School before she retired nearly 30 years ago.  

Brahmavar-Barkur village development project

Brahmavar-Barkur village development project was inaugurated by Mr. Jayaprakash Hegde, MLA, recently at Dharmavara Auditorium, Brahmavar.

“The Barkur Bridge is under reconstruction and the alternative mud road will be completed soon” he said in his address.

The programme was jointly organized by ‘Dharmavara Resorts and investment center’, ‘Shri Dharmasthala Village development project’, ‘Brahmavar-Barkur Citizens’ Forum’ and ‘Brahmavar Regional Agricultural Research Center’. The chief guests were Dr. Gopal P. Shetty, M.D., Multiplex group of companies, Bangalore, Mr. K.K. Nayak, CEO, Lakshmi Memorial Education Trust, Mangalore, Dr. Ramaswami, Director, Brahmavar Regional Agricultural Research Center, and Mr. Seethrarama Shetty, Director, Shri Dharmasthala Village development center.

Speaking on the occasion, the founder of the ‘Brahmavar-Barkur Citizens’ Forum, Mr. Barkur Dharmaraja Shetty put forward the plans to develop the twin towns of Brahmavar-Barkur into model towns in Karnataka State. All round development of the villages with modern technology backed agriculture, College Education, Tourism and exporting the village handicrafts etc are the main agenda of the Brahmavar-Barkur Citizens’ Forum as explained by Mr. Shetty.

As informed by him, Barkur Railway Station is developed into a model railway station of the Konkan railway with all the basic amenities for the passengers available due to the constant intervention of the forum.

The forum is trying for one more express train between Goa and Mangalore. It also tries for the ‘Bus Parking Bay’ at Brahmavar Bus stop for the better transportation facilities.

Modern agricultural equipments were distributed for the needy by Mr. K. K.Nayak.  Mr. Sudhakar Rao, Barkur conducted the proceedings.