Picture this: a spectacular celebration of elegance, poise, and inner strength where women from the Mangalore community in the Middle East took center stage, transforming a luxurious Dubai hotel into a realm of empowerment and cultural pride. The Mangalore Diva Middle East Miss & Mrs 2025 pageant finals did just that on November 1, leaving everyone inspired and buzzing with excitement. But here's where it gets intriguing – is this modern beauty contest truly empowering, or does it sometimes dance on the edge of tradition versus progress? Stick around, because we're diving deep into the details, and this is the part most people overlook: the real stories behind the sparkle.
Held at the opulent Hotel Ramee Dream Downtown in Dubai on November 1, the grand finale of this year's Mangalore Diva Middle East Miss & Mrs 2025 event was a night to remember. The winners were crowned by esteemed figures Ronald Colaco and Jean Colaco, while the runners-up were honored by Lanchu Lal, the CEO of Astra Group, and the talented Samata Amin. This wasn't just a competition; it was a heartfelt tribute to the resilience and charisma of Mangalorean women living in the Middle East.
The event was meticulously organized by Priya Fernandes from Priya Fashions, partnering with Dechamma Poonacha, Sabitha Carlo, and Gautham Bangera, alongside dedicated core team members Pavithra Shetty and Manoj Shetty. To prepare the contestants, the organizers included two full days of intensive grooming and self-confidence workshops. These sessions were led by experts like Rhea Gopal, founder of Movementerra, who focused on holistic movement and wellness; Preeti D’Souza, who guided participants through self-awareness exercises; and Laxmi Sherin, who boosted their confidence and even introduced the event's founding members. For beginners wondering what this means, think of it as a boot camp for personal growth – not just about looking good, but feeling powerful from within, helping shy individuals build the courage to shine in everyday life.
The evening was all about highlighting beauty, grace, and talent among women from Mangalore, a region known as Tulunadu in southwestern India, famous for its rich cultural heritage, coconut groves, and vibrant traditions. Contestants dazzled across three distinct rounds: Ethnic Wear, Fusion, and Western, performing in front of a lively crowd that cheered them on. The Ethnic Round celebrated traditional Mangalorean outfits, the Fusion Round blended modern twists with local designs (like those crafted by Jeevan Ghatti from Mantra in Mangaluru), and the Western Round showcased elegant gowns from Priya Fashions Boutique. To add flair, the show kicked off with a mesmerizing ramp walk by Deuela Patsy Paul in a breathtaking white gown from the same boutique, setting a tone of sophistication. The lineup also included an energetic dance performance by the troupe Dance Central, infusing the night with rhythm and joy.
And this is where things get controversial: Beauty pageants like this one often spark debates about whether they uplift women by celebrating their confidence or inadvertently reinforce beauty standards that can feel exclusionary. Do they empower the diaspora by fostering community pride, or do they prioritize appearance over substance? We'll explore more, but for now, let's meet the shining stars.
In the Mrs Category, which honors married women, the winners were:
- Winner: Minu Jose
- 1st Runner-up: Nayana Shetty
- 2nd Runner-up: Asmitha Kotian
For the TIA Miss Category, spotlighting unmarried women, the top spots went to:
- Winner: Tanushree Shetty
- 1st Runner-up: Shirley Crasta
- 2nd Runner-up: Cynthia D’Souza
The subtitle winners added even more excitement, recognizing various qualities in both categories.
In the Miss Category:
- Miss Confident Diva: Anusaya D’Souza Joseph
- Miss Congeniality: Nikitha Jogi
- Miss Catwalk Diva: Viola Lilly Alva
- Miss Best Personality: Cynthia D’Souza
- Miss Diva Fashion Icon: Tanushree Shetty
- Miss Fitness Diva: Tianna Mathias
- Miss Runway Diva: Tanya Sabnis
- Miss Photogenic Diva: Shirley Crasta
- Miss Creative Diva: Ishani Guruprasad
- Miss Dazzling Smile: Larissa Fedric Quadros
In the Mrs Category:
- Mrs Confident Diva: Janice Leena Gonzalves
- Mrs Congeniality: Prema Fernandes
- Mrs Catwalk Diva: Vinaya Tilak Shetty
- Mrs Best Personality: Nayana Shetty
- Mrs Diva Fashion Icon: Ashmitha Kotian
- Mrs Fitness Diva: Valerie Fernandes
- Mrs Runway Diva: Preethi Seema
- Mrs Photogenic Diva: Minu Jose
- Mrs Creative Diva: Venecia Crasto
- Mrs Dazzling Smile: Laveena K B
The top three in each main category walked away with cash prizes, luxurious gift hampers, and vouchers – a sweet reward for their hard work. Plus, the overall winners got a chance to star in an upcoming Tulu-language movie, which could be a game-changer for their careers, as Tulu films often celebrate regional stories with humor and heart. The Miss Category winner will also represent Priya Fashions as its official face until next season, while the Mrs Category champ becomes the face of the Mangalore Diva event itself.
The night was elevated by a roster of distinguished guests and chief personalities, including Dr. Ronald Colaco and Jean Colaco, Lanchu Lal (CEO of Astra Group), Dr. Bu Abdullah (chairman of Bu Abdullah Group), and Kannan Ravi (founder and chairman of Kannan Ravi Group). They added gravitas and support to the proceedings.
The judging panel was equally impressive, featuring Meena Nirmala, Bhavana Santhosh, Siddharth Shetty, Lavita Crasta, Chaithra Shetty, Savitha Anchan, and Dr. Priyadarshin, who fairly assessed the contestants across all segments, ensuring a focus on talent and poise.
VIP and celebrity guests brought extra magic, with Joywin from Thumbay Institute of Aesthetic (TIA), Sharat Shet from S L Shet Diamond House, Rich Rose (official florist), Michael from Ivory Grand, Meena Nirmala and Bhavana Santhosh from Al Inekas Beauty Salon, representatives from Resort Supplies and Gold Link, and stars like Roopesh Shetty, Samata Amin, and Vineet Kumar. Guests of honor Maher Al Khaja and Weincita Dias rounded out the elite lineup.
Hosting duties were handled smoothly by Errol Edwin Goveas and Sweeny Maria D’Souza, who kept the energy high throughout the show.
Media and support partners played a crucial role in making it all happen. Daijiworld TV and Karnataka News served as media partners, while social media collaborators included Moms of Mangalore, VJ Dixon, and Hera Pinto. Support partners were Ashwini and Mohan from Dream Destination, One More Rep, Praveen Shetty from Kudla Restaurant, New Look Salon, The Artist by Nichola Dafney, Akshaya Handlooms, and Smart Look – Bespoke. Their backing ensured the event ran seamlessly, from logistics to promotion.
In wrapping up, the organizers expressed deep appreciation to everyone involved, emphasizing that the Mangalore Diva Middle East Miss & Mrs 2025 isn't just a beauty contest – it's a powerful platform that honors the fortitude, allure, and cultural heritage of Mangalorean women in the Middle East. The night ended on a high note with cheers, festivities, and a sense of togetherness, creating cherished memories for all.
If you missed it, you can catch the full spectacle on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/-iqheYTx_b8
What do you think? Do events like this genuinely empower women by boosting their self-esteem and connecting communities, or do they sometimes perpetuate narrow ideals of beauty that overlook diversity? And here's a counterpoint: In a world obsessed with social media filters, could pageants like Mangalore Diva actually challenge stereotypes by showcasing real, multifaceted talent? Share your opinions in the comments – agree or disagree, we'd love to hear from you!
Top Stories
