Doha: KSQ Rajyotsava Celebrations Delight Kannadigas
Pics: Alexis Castelino
Daijiworld Media Network – Doha (GA)
Doha, Dec 2: Karnataka Sangha Qatar (KSQ), the premier association of all Kannadigas spread across Qatar has always strived to promote culture and nurture talents through its various initiatives. This was again evident during the 56th Rajyotsava celebrations held at the Doha cinema on Friday December 1, 2011 evening. The celebrations also for the first time brought all the leading associations of Qatar such as Tulu Koota, KSQ, Bunts Qatar and MCC to one stage as all these organizations contributed to the cultural bash.
The evening proceedings began with the welcome address by C R Manjunath who also then introduced the compere of the evening Go Na Swamy of Udaya and Zee TV fame to the gathering. This was followed by welcome dance by KSQ artistes. The dance was choreographed by Milan Arun. All the KSQ artistes were handed over gift voucher by Bunts Qatar president Ravi Shetty while Milan Arun was presented with a memento.
It was then time for musical orchestra. Troupe of talented TV artistes (Udaya and Zee TV) led by Go Na Swamy entertained the audience with some of the best Kannada songs and saldalwood hits. While Go Na Swamy was at his best as usual, he was well assisted by talented Seema and Shivanna.
Thereafter Mangalore Cricket Club (MCC), one of the pioneer organizations staged a splendid performance through the fashion parade. The MCC members trained by Shalini Mendonca staged a fashion parade to the tunes of Jalwa song from the movie Fashion. This parade that combined modernity with the traditions was received with a thunderous applause by the audience. Shalini Monterio as well as all the artistes were felicitated and presented with the memento by Tulu Koota president Ramchandra Shetty.
Bunts Qatar and ATS artistes trained by Mahesh and Vijay Rai staged Kannada Chitramanjari, a medley of Kannada film songs. They were felicitated by KSQ former president Arun Kumar. Tulu Koota artistes then presented one of the best programmes of the evening Tulunada Bollilu (Stars of Tulunadu), a tribute to the well-known stars of Dakshina Kannada who have carved a niche for themselves in their chosen profession. The programme was directed by Archana Shetty and Prakashchandra Agila provided the background voice. The Tulu Koota troupe was felicitated by KSQ former president Arvind Patil.
The hosts Karnataka Sangha Qatar came out with the traditional cultural item ‘Karnataka Darshana’ which was coordinated by Akshaya Shetty. She was assisted by Akshata Hegde, Shilpa Mannangi, Hema Lakkappa and Savita Arun. The KSQ group was felicitated by guest of honour of the evening Prof Krishne Gowda.
A short stage programme was later held. Chief guest of the evening Anil Nautiyal, second secretary (Labour) of Indian Embassy Doha, guests of the honour K M Varghese, president of the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) and ‘Haasya Chakravarthi’ Prof Krishne Gowda were escorted to the dais by KSQ general secretary Deepak Shetty and vice-president Sanjay Kudri. In his keynote address KSQ president V S Mannangi thanked all the sponsors of the programme and also thanked all the premier organizations that came forward and contributed to the success of the Rajyotsava celebrations. General secretary Deepak Shetty presented the annual report of the KSQ on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering chief guest Anil Nautiyal said that though he does not comprehend Kannada, he is aware of the great contribution of the people of Karnataka in various spheres, specially education, medical etc. Guest of the evening Krishne Gowda during his speech vividly explained the importance of preserving and nurturing Kannada,. He exhorted the gathering to teach Kannada to their children and contribute in their own way in promoting the mother tongue.
Prof Krishne Gowda was felicitated on the occasion by Anil Nautiyal, V S Mannangi and KSQ former president Arvind Patil. All the artistes who were specially flown in for the programme from Karnataka too were honoured by Anil Nautiyal. KSQ souvenir Sreegandha was released by the chief guests. Mahesh, Suma, Lakshmi and Shilpa, the members of the editorial committee of the Sreegandha and KSQ executive committee members were also present on the dais. Sreegandha editor Lakshmi addressed the gathering. N Manjunath proposed vote of thanks.
A delicious dinner was served for the entire gathering. After the dinner stand-up comedians Dr Benni, Prof Krishne Gowda and Narsimha Joshi entertained the gathering through their rib-tickling jokes and mimicry. The orchestra troupe too enthralled the jam-packed weekend audience by belting some superhit Kannada songs. Even though the programme went on up to small hours of December 2, 2011, enthusiastic crowd stayed back and enjoyed each moment. More than 150 artistes contributed their mite in making 56 Rajyotsava celebrations memorable one not only for the KSQ but for all the gathered.