New Year celebrations: People throng parties

People in the city welcomed 2019 with fun, frolic and food. New Year revellers thronged hotels, clubs and venues where New Year eve parties were held.

The luxury hotels and restaurants were decked with lights and offered special attractions for revellers for the New Year. Mostly domestic tourists and a few foreigners too joined in the celebrations that lasted till midnight.

Many clubs in the city were decked with bright lights. They offered entertainment and quality family fun to their guests. Restaurants, clubs and pubs announced special new year bashes.

Hotel Ocean Pearl, in Mangaluru, lined up exciting programmes at T M A Pai International Convention Centre, Mangaluru. The guest couple DJs ensured that the party-goers were on their toes with lively music. The DJ’s were supported by Bollywood and Hollywood songs by Archana Mahajan and Harish Kumar.

A comedy show by celebrity artist Ahsaan Quereshi entertained the audience. Mimicry by Riyaz Indian was the other highlight of the evening.

Singer and music director Prakash Mahadevan and Roopa Prakash performed live. Hejjenada Dance Team set the mood for the evening with their scintillating dance performances.

In addition, several games with exciting prizes, goodies, prizes were also held.

Phoenix-2019 was held at Goldfinch City at Kottara where celebrity DJ Nikhil Chinnapa performed live. There were laser shows, dance, drink and special cuisine. The other attraction was the belly dance.

Celebrity singer Saurabh Pandey entertained party-goers at Adyar Gardens on the outskirts of Mangaluru.

Hotel Moti Mahal on Falnir Road hosted a ‘New Year 2019 Bash’ with dance, live music, games, surprise gifts, non-stop entertainment. A special orchestra by the famous ‘Charitra Band’ entertained visitors. Excited revellers were seen clicking selfies with friends.

In the rural areas, children welcomed the New Year with the custom of burning an effigy of an old man.

The police intensified patrolling and kept a strict vigil on Monday night to avoid untoward incidents. They had warned against illegal sale of liquor and asked the party organisers to take precautions to ensure that no untoward incidents occur. Almost all churches in Mangaluru had New Year’s Eve mass to welcome the New Year.