Tulu Jaatre 2025 enthralls over 5,000 attendees in Qatar with grand celebration of Tulunadu culture
Doha: The much-awaited Tulu Jaatre 2025 made a grand return at the Old Ideal Indian School Ground, drawing over 5,000 attendees in a dazzling celebration of Tulunadu’s cultural heritage. Proudly organized by Tulukoota Qatar, an affiliate of the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) under the aegis of the Embassy of India in Qatar, the event blended traditional performances, coastal delicacies, and community festivities in an unforgettable showcase.
The venue, transformed into a festive hub adorned with traditional buntings and the iconic Pili face of Tulunadu, transported the audience to the coastal homeland. Aromas of authentic dishes and the sounds of folk performances filled the air, creating an immersive cultural experience for the diverse crowd, which included not only Tuluvas and Kannadigas but also members of Qatar’s wider expatriate community.
Grand opening ceremony
The evening opened with a grand procession led by Nasik Dhol and Tulunadu Thase under the leadership of Sagar Kotian, accompanied by Tulukoota Qatar President Sandesh Anand and the management committee. Cultural Secretary Divyashree introduced the evening’s host, RJ Anurag Bangera, who narrated the evolution of Tulukoota Qatar and the legacy of Tulu Jaatre since its inception in 2019.
The traditional lighting of the lamp was performed by President Sandesh Anand and dignitaries including social activist Eshwar Malpe, MasterChef India winner Mohamed Ashiq, title sponsor Chidanand Naik, and representatives from various sponsor organizations and apex bodies.
Community participation and cultural display
The traditional game Tarayi Da Katta was opened to the public by Sandesh Anand and Ravi Shetty, invoking nostalgia and engagement. President Anand emphasised the growing footfall beyond caste and religious lines and described Jaatre as a brand of unity, coinciding with Tulukoota Qatar’s 25th year of community service.
Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy, Sandeep Kumar, graced the occasion as Chief Guest, alongside presidents and members of apex organizations like ICC, ICBF, and ISC.
President Anand expressed heartfelt gratitude to all supporting associations and sponsors, highlighting the crucial role played by M. Pallonji in the event’s logistics and stage setup. A special mention was given to Ultimate Trading and Contracting for providing electrical support. The Vote of Thanks was delivered by General Secretary Pravina Shetty.
The event saw the felicitation of achievers across multiple fields.
Tulu Jaatre 2025 provided a significant platform to celebrate the achievements and contributions of community members. Tulukoota Qatar recognized its dedicated sports teams—including Volleyball, Cricket, Throwball, Kabaddi, and Badminton—for their consistent efforts and team spirit. The event also saw the presentation of Achievement Awards to children who excelled in academics and sports during the 2023–2024 academic year, acknowledging their hard work and dedication.
A special felicitation was accorded to Mohamed Ashiq, winner of MasterChef India, for bringing laurels to the community and inspiring aspiring chefs with his culinary excellence. The prestigious Tulunada Bolpu Award was conferred on Eshwar Malpe, a noted social activist renowned for saving over 70 lives from drowning and recovering nearly 1,000 bodies, an honor that reflects his extraordinary service and commitment to society.
Community leadership was also duly recognized. Apex Body Presidents and committee members from the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC), Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF), and Indian Sports Centre (ISC) were felicitated for their contributions. Among them, Abdulla Monu, past Vice President of Tulukoota, was honoured for receiving the Dakshina Kannada Rajyotsava Award 2024. Long-serving volunteers Yashpal Suvaran and Sandeep Mallar, along with their families, were also acknowledged for their enduring support and service to Tulukoota Qatar as they prepare to bid farewell to the community.
Over 100 volunteers were honored for their tireless work in making the event a success.
The culinary experience at Tulu Jaatre 2025 was a highlight in itself, with food stalls offering a delectable variety of authentic Tulunadu delicacies. Visitors relished traditional dishes such as Kori Rotti, Mutton Gasi, Neer Dosa, Pelakkayi Gatti, Meen Gasi, Holige, and the ever-popular Gadbad Ice Cream. The aroma of spices and the diversity of flavours brought the essence of coastal Karnataka to life, delighting attendees throughout the evening.
Alongside the feast, a variety of traditional folk games kept the festive spirit alive. Games such as Gargara Mandala, Car Race, and Bottle Gala provided entertainment for attendees of all age groups, while children engaged enthusiastically in fun activities like Ring Toss and Pili Ta Bayi. Among the various food and cultural stalls, the Ammana Tammana stall was recognised for its outstanding presentation and offerings, winning the coveted “Best Stall” award.
The stage performances were a visual and emotional treat, meticulously choreographed and presented by members of Tulukoota Qatar. The evening commenced with a high-energy opening dance choreographed by Raj and Rakshit, setting the tone for an engaging cultural showcase. This was followed by a delightful puppet-themed dance by the children of TKQ, choreographed by Pooja Jiten, capturing the innocence and imagination of childhood through creative storytelling.
A unique rope yoga performance by Ashwini and Niveditha added an element of grace and physical artistry to the evening. One of the most appreciated segments was the Yakshagana performance, directed by Sumanth Shetty. Executed with professional finesse and dramatic depth, the performance transported the audience into the rich world of traditional Tulu theatre, despite the chilly winter winds.
Further enriching the programme were guest performances by various cultural organisations in Qatar. Karnataka Sangha Qatar presented a vibrant cultural segment, while the MKP Mallar Dance Team, Thalim, and Magic Feet Dance Academy added to the evening’s dynamism with their energetic and colourful showcases.
The evening concluded with an exciting raffle draw sponsored by Safari, featuring ten grand prizes including a refrigerator and a television.
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Bill to regulate deepfakes tabled in Lok Sabha
New Delhi (PTI): A Private Member's Bill seeking a clear legal framework for regulation of deepfakes has been introduced in the Lok Sabha.
The Regulation of Deepfake Bill, introduced by Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Shinde in the House on Friday, aims to protect citizens by mandating prior consent from individuals depicted in deepfake content.
"Misuse of deepfakes for harassment, deception and misinformation has escalated, creating an urgent need for regulatory safeguards," Shinde said.
The Bill also lists penalties for offenders creating or disseminating deepfake content with malicious intent.
"With advancements in artificial intelligence and deep learning, deepfake technology has emerged as a significant tool for media manipulation. While the technology has potential applications in education, entertainment and creative fields, it also poses severe risks when misused, threatening individual privacy, national security and public trust," Shinde said in the statement of objects and reasons in the Bill.
The proposed Bill seeks to establish a clear legal framework to govern the creation, distribution and application of deepfakes in India, said Shinde, a three-term Lok Sabha member from Kalyan.
The Bill also seeks to establish the Deepfake Task Force, a dedicated body to combat national security implications and evaluate the influence of deepfakes on privacy, civic participation, and potential election interference.
The task force will collaborate with academic and private sector institutions to develop technologies that detect manipulated content, thereby promoting credibility in digital media.
The Bill also proposes to establish a fund to support public and private sector initiatives in the detection and deterrence of advanced image manipulation.
A Private Member's Bill is a procedure of Parliament that enables lawmakers, who are not ministers, to draw attention to issues that might not be represented in Government Bills or to highlight the issues and gaps in the existing legal framework that require legislative intervention.
