Rons Bantwal

Dubai, Oct 6: In a significant move to unite Kannada organisations under one banner, Karnataka Sangha Dubai and Kannadigara Koota Dubai have joined hands to host a grand Karnataka Rajyotsava 2026 in Dubai on Sunday, November 22.

The celebrations will be held at New Dawn Private School, Al Qusais, Dubai, bringing together Kannadigas from across the UAE for a festival centred on unity, culture and togetherness.

The initiative is the result of the sustained efforts of renowned philanthropist and social worker Dr Ronald Colaco, who has been working to foster unity among Kannada organisations in Dubai.

The two organisations have decided to jointly celebrate Rajyotsava with the aim of bringing Karnataka’s language, art, culture and heritage, as well as the unity of Kannadigas, to the forefront.

The special Rajyotsava has been conceived as an effort to bring various Kannada associations and organisations in Dubai onto a common platform and further strengthen the diaspora’s vision of ‘Karnataka in Unity’.

Karnataka Sangha Dubai president Shashidhar Nagarajappa and Kannadigara Koota Dubai president Arun Kumar said the initiative would not only celebrate Kannada pride and Karnataka’s rich cultural heritage but also help strengthen bonds among Kannadigas in the UAE and pass their love for the language and culture on to the next generation.

Renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr Ronald Colaco, who has been overseeing coordination between the two organisations, announced his full support and cooperation for the initiative. He congratulated the presidents and executive committees of both organisations for reaching an agreement to jointly organise the celebrations.

KNRI president and noted entrepreneur Praveen Kumar Shetty also expressed his support and cooperation.

From this year onwards, Dubai will host a joint Karnataka Rajyotsava, with Karnataka Sangha Dubai serving as the principal organising body. The event will be conducted under the leadership of president Shashidhar Nagarajappa and his executive committee, while Kannadigara Koota Dubai, headed by president Arun Kumar, will extend full organisational cooperation and support.

It was also announced that Kannadigara Koota Dubai will take the lead in organising next year’s Karnataka Rajyotsava, in association with Karnataka Sangha Dubai.

Culture, awards and achievers

The grand celebration will feature several distinguished guests, prominent speakers and achievers from various fields.

A host of cultural programmes showcasing Karnataka’s diverse artistic traditions and rich cultural heritage will form the centrepiece of the celebrations. Talented artistes from Karnataka and the UAE will add colour and grandeur to the festivities through their performances.

Karnataka Sangha Dubai will confer its prestigious Dubai Karnataka Rajyotsava Award and honour individuals who have rendered selfless service in different fields with the ‘Seva Ratna’ awards.

Kannadigara Koota Dubai will also present its ‘International Kannada Ratna’ Award, which it has been conferring for several years on achievers from Karnataka. The organisation will also honour achievers in the Middle East with the Dr Puneeth Rajkumar Award, said president Arun Kumar.

Free Kannada classes enter 13th year

Continuing its tradition, the 13th year of free Kannada classes organised by Kannada Mitraru UAE will be formally inaugurated during the Dubai Karnataka Rajyotsava, said Karnataka Sangha Dubai president Shashidhar Nagarajappa. The initiative is described as the world’s largest Kannada school outside Karnataka.

Karnataka Sangha Dubai vice-president Daya Kirodian and Kannadigara Koota Dubai vice-president Mallikarjuna Angadi were present and expressed their support for the initiative.

Speaking at the press conference, BCCI president Hidayath Addoor, Kannadigara Koota Dubai chief adviser Sadan Das, and Karnataka Sangha Dubai adviser Ronald Martis congratulated the organisers on the joint initiative and expressed their support for the coming together of the two organisations.

The organisers have extended a warm invitation to all Kannadigas living across the UAE to attend the celebrations in large numbers with their families and friends and witness the grand festival celebrating Kannada unity and Karnataka’s rich cultural heritage.

The organsisers said, “Let us come together, celebrate together. Let the fragrance of Kannada, the culture of Karnataka and the unity of Kannadigas resonate across Dubai. Jai Karnataka! Jai Kannada!”