Bahrain: Eighth World Kannada Cultural Convention off to a Grand Start
Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Bahrain (RD)
Manama (Bahrain), Sep 30: The Eighth World Kannada Cultural Convention organized by Kannada Sangh Bahrain and Hradayavahini Kannada monthly bulletin was inaugurated at Al Raza auditorium, Manama, here on Thursday September 29 evening.
The convention was organised under the aegis of Karnataka state Kannada and culture department and Kannada Development Authority.
Karnataka NRI committee vice-president Captain Ganesh Karnic inaugurated while renowned Kannada litterateur Dr Doddarange Gowda presided over the programme.
United Kingdom Kannada Balaga president Surenu Jayaram, honorary president Dr K B Nagoor Bijapur were the specially invitees.
Renowned social workers from Karnataka Dr Rama Reddy, Bangalore and Shivanand Hondadakeri were felicitated during the programme.
Karnataka working journalists' association president Modalimar and Kannadiga Patrakartara Sangh Maharashtra founder honorary secretary Rons Bantwal were conferred the Vishwa Rajyotsava Award, draped with shawl and presented with a 'Mysore peta' and a citation. Renowned Bharatanatyam artiste Sagar Prasad T S was also honoured.
Captain Karnic in his inaugural address commended the efforts of NRIs in promoting Kannada in distant lands at a time when it faces threat from other languages in its own capital city Bangalore. The love for Kannada by NRIs and Kannadigas settled across India is commendable, he added.
Surenu Jayaram released Kannada literary work 'Kaadu - Kanive - Kadalu' authored by Dr Doddarange Gowda, while Nagaraj B Jamakandi read a message by Karnataka state large and medium industries minister Murugesh Nirani.
Dr Doddarange Gowda said that Kannada has great potential which is being utilised in the oil-rich State of Bahrain. Dr Gowda urged NRI Kannadigas to sign in Kannada to show their devotion to their motherland.
Go Na Swamy Bangalore chaired a humour session, attended by L Girish, Bahrain and Manjunat Pandavarapura.
The artistes of Sairaman Nrutya Kendra, Tumkur, staged a dance depicting the mythological episode of Vinayaka, while the artistes of Kannada Sangha, Bahrain staged 'Atishaya Moksha', a Yakshagana play.
The programme began with a prayer song by Bharat Sri Radhakrishnan. Kannada Sangha Bahrain president Raj Kumar welcomed the gathering. Convention committee president K P Manjunat Sagar delivered the introductory address. The artistes of Kannada Sangh Bahrain presented a welcome dance while the women members performed a folk dance. Cultural secretary Kiran Upadhyaya and Aparna compeered the programme. Honorary chief secretary Ramesh Ramachandran proposed the vote of thanks.