Usha Uthup mesmerizes Mangalore on her Ekta Express

Usha Uthup mesmerizes Mangalore on her Ekta Express

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Dec 21: Mandd Sobhann, Mangalore’s premier Konkani cultural organization, presented “The Usha Uthup Show,” a multi-linguistic musical show presented alongside the journey of “Ekta Express,” an imaginary train symbolizing peace, harmony, and unity, which chugged from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. The journey lasted 3 hours, during which Usha presented a spectacular musical performance, enthralling the audience with popular numbers in 19 different languages. A number of dance performances added to the charm of this show, which was organized on Dec 19, 2009, at 5:30 p.m. on the Centenary Grounds of St Aloysius College.

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Louis Pinto, the president of Mandd Sobhann and the organizer of this mega show, escorted the CM and MD of Bank of Maharashtra Mr. Allen Periera who was also the main sponsor of the show to the dais. In his speech, Mr. Allen Periera urged the audience to promote cultural events such as The Usha Uthup Show to foster peace and unity among the various cultures and communities of India. He also said that the bank is proud to be the main sponsor of the event, which is devoted to the promotion of communal harmony and peace. He then inaugurated the show by flagging off the Ekta Express and Mr. Louis Pinto blew the whistle.

The sponsors were honored with bouquets and mementos. Mrs. Jean Colaco honored Usha Uthup with a shawl, garland, fruits, dates, and a memento. The Dream Boys entertained the crowd with Bhangra dance.

 

 

Mrs. Vidya Dinker made the welcome speech and spoke about the unique features of The Usha Uthup Show. She then introduced the most widely traveled and most popular comperer of India, Mr. Harish Bhimani, and requested him be the master of ceremonies of the Usha Uthup Show. After talking about the significance of Ekta Express and its journey throughout India, Mr. Harish introduced Ms. Usha Uthup to the audience and welcomed her.

Ms. Usha Uthup then started her musical journey with “Raghupathi Raghava Rajaram.” She then presented a few numbers, each of which was reminiscent of a particular Indian location. For instance, “Dhum Maro Dhum” was dedicated to Assam; and “Hare Rama Hare Krishna” is a Bhojpuri song. The students of Alva’s Educational Institutions performed a Manipuri dance called “Dol Cholo,” giving the audience a glimpse of the colorful culture of the North Eastern State. This was the first phase of the train’s journey.

In the second phase of the journey, the Ekta Express chugged toward West Bengal, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh. Accordingly, Usha Uthup presented some delightful Gujarathi, Bengali, and Oriya numbers. She also presented some popular Hindi medleys “Shaan se” and “Ramba ho.”

 

 

The Ekta Express passed through Punjab and Haryana, the Sindh, and Rajasthan. Accordingly, Usha’s Punjabi, Rajasthani, and Sindhi numbers delighted the audience. A dance troupe from Rajasthan presented Kabeliya, the traditional dance of the Kabeliya tribe. As the show progressed, interesting items from each state were sold to the audience.  

During the last phase of its journey, the train passed through Gujarath, Maharashtra, and Goa; and as it chugged through these states, Usha Uthup presented Gujarathi, Marathi, and Konkani songs. The Naach Sobhann Troupe presented a Manddo, a traditional Konkani dance. When the Ekta Express passed Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, Usha Uthup presented Telugu and Tamil numbers. The students of Tamil Nadu presented “Mannarkudi,” a traditional Tamilian dance, while the students from Kerala presented “Kalari Payyattu,” a form of martial art.

When the Ekta Express reached Mangalore, Harish spoke about the rich culture and tradition of Mangalore. Usha Uthup sang the ever-popular Tulu number “Ekka Sakka” and dedicated it to the people of Mangalore. The last song “Sare Jahan Se Accha” was sung by Usha Uthup and Mr. Eric Ozario.

Mr. Eric Ozerio, the Gurkar of Mandd Sobhann, announced the World Konkani Cultural Convention, which will be organized as part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of Mandd Sobhann, from Nov 29, 2010. The Convention will be based on the theme: “Celebrating Culture – Unity through Diversity.”