Canada: The All America Tulu Association (AATA) USA – Canada made all Tuluvas proud by showcasing the Tulunad culture, art and language to the world in a momentous and wondrous event “Modi & US Progress Together” at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Long Island in New York, United States. The event was live telecasted on over 200 major news channels worldwide.
AATA was one of the welcoming partners of the event organized by a non-profit,
non-partisan organization Indian American Community U.S. (IACU), to address the Indian diaspora by the Honorable Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi. Prime minister Modi addressed a sold out gathering of over 13,500 Indian Americans, with many attendees hailing from 40 states across the country.
The scintillating performance of fusion of Yakshagana, Yakshanruthya and Pili dance by AATA members rocked the stage. The astounding voice of Sri Patla Sathish Shetty and Sri Raviraj Shetty Odiyur for Tulu yakshagana song ‘taani tandana’ mesmerized the audience. The beautiful song was penned by AATA president Shreevalli Rai Martell. The Yakshagana, Yaksha Nrithya and Pili dance was choreographed by Preethi U. Shetty, an undergraduate student from Florida, Amulya Deepak from North Carolina and Dr. Ashwini Kamath from New Jersey respectively.
It was a great moment for Tulunadu and AATA members where they shared the same stage with prime minister Narendra Modi. AATA dance was one of the top performances among 15 selected from close to 600 participating organizations and more than 160 dance schools. Entire performance was realized from concept within 19 days by coordinating people from corners of the United States and Canada. Yakshagana was performed by Preethi U Shetty Florida, Ram Kanchan an AATA ambassador from New York and Umesh Asaigoli from North Carolina. Yakshanruthya was performed by beautiful ladies from Boston – Puja Shetty, Shailashree Sherigar, Lakshmi Puranik, Sowmya Karunakar, Ramya Jain, Sulekha Rao, Deepa Pai and Devisree Narayanan. The roaring tigers are Harish Baliga from New York, Dr. Ashwini Kamath from Pennsylvania, Shomith Kini from New Jersey, Santosh Shetty from Atlanta, Ritesh Shetty from Minnesota, Rinay Kishor Shetty from Toronto Canada and Aryan Kanchan from New York. The performance was very unique with live Chende by Rajesh Pai Kalsanka from Boston and Taase by Shreevalli Rai Martell.
Such a performance cannot be made possible without the huge support. Yakshagana dress and make-up was done by AATA founder president Bhaskar Sherigar from Boston, Vice President Sudarshan Shetty from Toronto Canada, Dr. Ashwini Kamath from New Jersey. The delicate tiger make up was done by Lakshmi Baliga, Rashmi Kini, Preethi Ritesh Shetty, Tanishka Shetty and Sujatha Shetty. Beautiful Yakshanruithya costume was designed by Lakshmi Puranik from Boston.
The hospitality of Sudha Kanchan – Ram Kanchan and Shilpa Shetty – Ajith Shetty couple cannot be forgotten. Ms. Harini from New York, Karl Martell from Florida, Ashwin Shetty, Anand Rao, Karunakar Darbe from Boston, Kishor Shetty from Toronto, Janakiprabha Shetty, North Carolina, Dr. Rathnakar Sherigar Virginia, Subhaschandra Shetty, Dr. Mohanchandra KP, Dr. Jagadeesh Kumar from California, Aryaman Shetty, Gopal Patte, Shantaram Shetty, Surendra Kumar Marnad of Team Ilesa and Sharada Vidhyanikethana Public School Talapady India helped with unwavering support in terms of logistics, financial, publicity, moral and other support. Visiting team of Yakshadhruva Patla Foundation led by Sri Patla Sathish Shetty and Prof. M.L.Samaga provided the guidance and suggestions. The support of the executive committee, board of directors, ambassadors, advisory council and members of AATA was instrumental in making this happen.