Udupi, Dec 29: The 'Pura Pravesha' ceremony of Sugunendratheertha Swamiji of Puthige Math was held here on Friday, December 28, heralding a month-long series of cultural and religious programmes to be held here. With the 'Pura Pravesha', the town is all set to hold discussions, arguments and counter arguments over Puthige swamiji's 'Peetharohana' issue. The Puthige swamiji however, seems to be in a better frame of mind as he has now received support from Vibhudeshatheertha Swamiji of Admar math over the paryaya issue.

The Puthige swamiji who will be ascending  the 'Sarvajna Peetham' or the 'Parayaya Peetham' on January 18, was given a rousing welcome here on his arrival at the gates of the city. The seer and his entourage were received with  pomp and splendour at Jodukatte at 4.30 pm. The swamiji entered carrying the statue of the principle deity of the math Lord Vithal and accepted garlands from dignitaries, guests and others. From there the procession passed through taluk office-Diana circle-Koladapete-Thenkupete and finally concluded at Car Street. The swamiji will be confined to Car Street for the next few days till the new paryaya swamiji takes over the puja Kainkarya of Lord Krishna. 

On entering the Shree Krishna temple premises, Lakshmivara Swamiji of Shiroor math welcomed Puthige swamiji right in front of the Shiroor math. Later Puthige swamiji offered his obesience to Lord Krishna from ‘Kanakana Kindi’ and then proceeded on to Chandramaulishwara and Anantheshwara Temples. The swamiji reached Shree Krishna Math at 7 pm and offered prayers to Lord Krishna, after which he went to Puthige Math and offered prayers to the deity in the math. He offered "navagraha danas" and prayers before entering the Paryaya math.

In a lavish and spectacular manner the 'pura pravesha' procession was brought into the city  in a colourful chariot against the backdrop of chanting of Veda goshas, ‘kombu kahale,’ bajana teams, 'chande mela', 'suggi kunita' saxophone, band sets, various flags indicating sanctity of Hinduism, with vehicles displaying the pictures of former seers of Puthige Math alongwith a variety of colourful umbrellas. On the procession path, the devotees flocked in large numbers to seek blessings from math principle deity Lord Vittala.  

A G Kodgi, MLC Dr V S Acharya, former MLAs U R Sabhapathi and Raghupati Bhat, former MP Vinaykumar Sorake, president of Dakshina Kannada Mogaveera Mahajana Sangha Pramod Madhwaraj, and president of district unit of Janata Dal (S) Deviprasad Shetty were among the dignitaries who participated in the procession. 

Kundapur, Dec 28: A cultural evening was recently organized as part of Christmas celebration in at Holy Rosary Church here by Young Christian Students (YCS).

Inaugurating the event Fr Antony Lobo priest of Kundapur Varaddo said that young students should aspire to cultivate good habits so that their elders would be pleased to bless them for successes in their future ventures. The elders' blessings are certainly powerful in making one's life a success, he added.

Principal and director of YCS Fr Prakash Cutinho spoke on the occasion and said that unity, trust and the spirit of sacrifice are essential for the progress of any community. At the same time, the younger generation should not forget the customs and traditions built up and followed by their elders.

Poet and playwright Bernard D’Costa, vice-president of the church Basil D’Souza, secretary Diana Almeida, former vice-president Rony Rodriguez, Catholic Sabha president Dr Sony D’Costa, Jacintha Pais, Pascal D’Souza, Kiran Saldana and Shaila Almeida were present on the dais.

President of YCS Jackson welcomed the gathering. Secretary Jean  read out the annual report. Shaina D’Souza compered the program.

The children of YCS members sang carols. Namitha Pais performed a dance.

The function came to an end with the enactment of the play 'Maha Pittashi' directed by Bernard D’Costa.

Brahmavar, Dec 27: A variety of talents, including well-known artistes entertained the crowd at Brahmavar Church ground. Colourful fire-crackers also added to the festive mood.

Renowned music group ‘SHADS’ won the hearts of the audience here with their well-organized entertainment programme. The fascinated young people started dancing to the tunes of the melodious songs.

Konkani song ‘Shirandhari Pavs…’ by Melwyn, hindi songs like ‘Yeh Mera Dil,’ ‘Rup Tera Mastana,’ ‘Mummi ko Nahin Hai Pata,’ Kannada song ‘Anisutide Yako Indu’ from super hit movie ‘Mungaru Male’ and Tamil song ‘Delao Delao’ and others had the audience asking for more.

The compering by Ashok was the center of attraction in the programme.

Prize distribution:

A prize distribution ceremony was also held on the occasion. Fr Denis Saldanha, parish priest of the church, Fr Baptist Braggs and Rolton D’Almeida, president of Catholic Yuva Sanchalan were present on the dais.

Addressing the gathering, Fr Denis Saldanha said that youth are the hope of the church. That is why one should support them for good causes, he opined.

Spot Report 1

Udupi/Brahmavar, Dec 27: The Catholic Yuva Sanchalan organized 'Music Masti-07' at Brahmavar Church parish ground here on Thursday Decmber 27 evening. Thousands of people gathered to witness the event.

The Holy Family Church here celebrated parish feast on Wednesday, December 26. The well-known ‘Shads’ music group led by Noushad from Mangalore added colour to the feast.

Fr Denis Saldanha, parish priest, blessed the occasion and handed over the mike to Gladson D’Almeida, the comperer of the event.

The ‘Ocean Kids’ team performed dance and the ‘Bindaas Pernal’ team led by Melwyn Pernal  entertained the audien

Udupi, Dec 26: The parishioners of Perampalli near here celebrated the Christmas day on a grand scale here on Tuesday, December 25 evening.

Earlier, stage programmes were held in the church auditorium, presided over by Fr Baptist Menezes, episcopal vicar of Udupi district.

Shri Lakshmivara Tirtha swamiji of Shirur math, Manohar Shetty, MD of Sai Radha group of companies, Udupi councillor Ramesh Nayak, entrepreneur Agnel D’Souza and NRI Eric D’Souza were the chief guests on the occasion.

Parish priest Fr Romeo Lewis welcomed the gathering. Sharal Lewis compered the programme.

Later an musical programme presented by the ‘Rising Stars’ enthralled the gathering. Well-known singers Rony Crasta, Rony Byndoor and others entertained the audience with their songs.  ‘Ocean Kids’ team's dance performance added to the entertainment.

Over two thousand people attended the programme which was sponsored by Agnel D’Souza and Eric D’Souza. 

Brahmavar, Dec 24: 'The Expressions,' an organization formed to support and promote talents, in association with St Mary's Orthodox Syrian Youth Association will organize 'The Expressions Wilson Olivera Silver Jubilee Nite' at Makkala Mantapa, SMS Pre-University College, Brahmavar here on January 2, 2008 at 6.30 pm.

Dr Joseph Gonsalves, principal of St Joseph's Engineering College, Mangalore, will be the chief guest.

Music by Alwyn Fernandes while Rhythms Udupi will perform the dance. MEMORI group of Mangalore will add humour to the entertainment.

Wilson Olivera, a resident of Padukone in Kundapur taluk has already presented 24 nites in places like Mumbai, Bangalore and Gulf countries. Ronald Olivera, the internationally famed toast-master will be compering the event.

41-year-old Wilson Olivera completed his degree in BA from Bhandarkar's College, Kundapur. He presented his first nite in Padukone in 1994, which was highly appreciated. Later he presented similar programmes at Kundapur, Gangolli, Sastan and in Kalangann.

He has composed lyrics for more than 500 songs and released three CDs to date. He has also written 23 short stories for Konkani journals. In recognition of his achievements the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy honoured him in the year 2003.

At present he is residing in Padukone with his wife Sharmila Olivera and four-year-old son Stewart Olivera.