Yakshagana performances enthral audience

Mysore/Mysuru: Mysuru is the Karma Bhoomi of the Bunt community though Mangaluru and Dakshina Kannada are their place of origin. Known for its communal harmony, the members keep the social fabric intact and at the same time, they preserve their unique cultural identity, opined former Minister B. Ramanath Rai.

He was speaking after felicitating achievers from the community recently at a function organised by Bunts Charitable Trust and Bunts Sangha Mysuru at Asha Prakash Bunts Convention Hall in Vijayanagar III Stage. Students from the Bunts community who have scored the highest marks in SSLC and PUC were felicitated.

When land reforms were initiated by former Chief Minister D. Devaraj Urs, the Bunts, without losing heart, migrated abroad and also settled in places like Mysuru and Mumbai where one can still find the strong presence of the community, he added.

Many Bunts adapted to the local culture but kept their unique cultural identity. Several of them became entrepreneurs, hoteliers and many took up jobs. Bunts enjoy a high-ranking status in society. There are also those from the same community who do not enjoy the same social and economic status, he rued.

The entire community should be taken forward by uplifting fellow community members belonging to the lower strata of the society, he said, adding that the community should help in strengthening the society in a responsible manner.

The Bunt community had several laurels and achievements to its credit. Despite the land reforms which took away most of the ancestral land belonging to the Bunts, the community rose again by educating themselves and flourished, he said. The former Minister called upon the community to mingle with the other communities wherever they go and live in harmony.

Karnataka Hotel Owners Association President K. Gopala Shetty felicitated doctorate degree holders Dr. Srinivasa Shetty and Dr. Jagannath S. Shetty. 25 students from the community were feted by Ramanath Rai.

Bunts Sangha President T. Prabhakar Shetty presided over the event. MLA G.T. Devegowda, former MLA Vasu, Bunts Charitable Trust Managing Trustee Ganesh Narayan Hegde, Deputy Managing Trustees Suresh Alva, Tukaram Rai, Bunts Sangha Vice-President Sarvotham Shetty, General Secretary Nanjappa Shetty, Bhagavat Patla Satish Shetty and others took part.

After the event, there were Yakshagana performances ‘Sreenivasa Kalyana’ ‘Abhimanyu’ and ‘Chakravyuha’. Hundreds of people watched the performances with great delight.