Report & Photos: Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Mar 23: Congratulations to the parishat for establishing its own office. In the future, may this organization grow into a large institution and a grand building, serving as a guiding force for our land and Tulu Kannadigas. The parishat is working towards conveying artistic concerns and culture to the masses through artists. The responsibility of artists in connecting society and cultural heritage is immense. If our land’s and country’s culture needs to reach people, it can only be done through artists. Reflecting on their contribution should be our foremost duty, said renowned astrologer and vastu expert Ashok Purohit.
He was speaking after inaugurating the 16th cultural art festival organized by the Kannadiga Kalavidara Parishat Maharashtra with the support of the Karnataka government’s Kannada and Culture Department. The event was held on the H B L Rao Memorial stage at Billava Bhavan, Santacruz East, on Saturday afternoon.
The inaugural ceremony was presided over by parishat president Dr Surendrakumar Hegde. The chief guest was Vishwa Hindu Parishad Thane and Hotel Owners’ Association Thane president Poly Umesh Shetty. The event was graced by high court advocate and notary R G Shetty, Karnataka Nataka Academy president K V Nagaraj Murthy, Heggade Seva Sangha president Manoj Hegde, high court advocate R M Bhandary, Kannada Kalakendra president T Madhusudan T R, artist and writer Vishwanath Shetty Petri, Mulund Friends president Suresh Shetty Yeyyadi, managing director of Excellent Engineering and Allied Services Pvt. Ltd. K Rajaram Acharya, senior Yakshagana interpreter Yakshamitra K K Shetty, women's wing president of Sri Krishna Vittal Pratishtana Lakshmi N Kotian, Trimurti Catering Services’ Ashok Shetty Mundkur, social worker Umavati Gujaran, and several other dignitaries.
On this occasion, senior Yakshagana artist Bhoja Bangera was honored with the H B L Rao Memorial Award posthumously, which was received by his wife Jayanti Bangera. Parishat member G T Acharya delivered a felicitation speech, and Jagadish D Rai read the citation.
Dr G N Upadhya, head of the Kannada department at Mumbai University, paid tribute to H B L Rao, recognizing him as a dedicated figure who contributed significantly to literature and Yakshagana in Mumbai. "H B L Rao was a determined and tireless organizer who upheld the identity of Mumbai Kannadigas. Speaking about such an artistic ascetic is truly a pleasure," he remarked.
K V Nagaraj Murthy stated, "There is no greater achievement than the work this parishat is doing, even beyond what a government does. Governments come and go, but the efforts of Kannada artists and their perseverance keep institutions alive and flourishing."
Umesh Shetty, in his address, said, "The service of artists who have mastered various art forms is commendable. Artists are colorful personalities who have reached unimaginable heights. As they continue to grow, they also keep Indian culture alive. Through their presence and knowledge, they ensure the preservation of our cultural heritage. The parishat’s role in honoring and safeguarding such artists is exemplary."
The distinguished guests praised the parishat’s service spanning over one and a half decades and extended their best wishes for the 16th anniversary celebrations. Award recipient Bhoja Bangera expressed his gratitude in response.
In his presidential address, Dr Surendrakumar Hegde said, "The encouragement from art enthusiasts is our greatest inspiration. The support of art patrons lights our path forward. This parishat is not an organization bound by caste or language; it is a mother institution for artists of all kinds."
Parishat vice president CA Srinivas P Safalya, honorary general secretary Chandrashekar Bhat, honorary treasurer P B Chandrahass, joint secretary Chandravati Devadiga, joint treasurer Naveen Shetty Innabalike, women’s wing president Tara Bangera, director Ramesh Shivapur, and members Karnuru Mohan Rai, Ashok Sasihitlu, Kusuma C Poojary, N Prithviraj Mundkur, L Muralidhar Hegde, along with advisors, special invitees, and several members, were present.
As part of the cultural program, parishat members performed group dances, music evening, and choral singing under the coordination of Amita Jatin, Ankita, and Shreyas. Under the direction of Chinmaya Salyan and the guidance of Narayan Shetty Nandalike, the Tulu play Karppill was staged, followed by the Yakshagana Hiranyaksha Vadhe, coordinated by Damodar Iruvail and Vasudeva Marnad. The cultural program was anchored by Padmanabha Sasihitlu.
The event concluded with a devotional dance performance by Vrishthi Nayak. Suchitra G Shetty led the prayer. Vice president Kamalaksha Saraf welcomed the gathering, and Adyapadi Balakrishna Shetty introduced the guests, anchored the event, and proposed the vote of thanks.