Shodhan Prasad
Daijiworld Media Network
Sharjah, May 16: Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, one of the premier association of Karnataka in UAE have over a decade of existence conducted various socio cultural events all these years serving the Kannadigas in UAE and also honouring some of those who have excelled in their fields of humanitarian service.
Now since it is a decennial year celebration on 18th Friday, 2012 a wide variety of grand programme is being set to be conducted at Al Dana Ball Room of Holiday International Hotel, Sharjah Al Buhaira with day long events starting from 10 AM in the morning.
Dance Troupe from Bangalore
The event will witness top class entertainment by local as well as visiting artistes from Bangalore. The folk dances focusing on the culture of Kannada, Tulu, Konkani, Beary, and Kodava langauges will be the hightlight.
KARNATAKA SANGHA SHARJAH – A Milestone
With the migration of more and more Kannadiga workers into the Arabian Gulf, it prompted to some group of socio minded people to start Karnataka Associations in order to link and maintain Kannada Language, Art, Folk & Tradition in this part of the world specially to those children who are not only born here but who were not able to get the sweet touch of our native’s rich culture. With this initiative all over the Gulf and in different Emirates of UAE, various Karnataka Associations were formed who with their continuous effort presented various cultural programmes lifting the proud flag of Karnataka high up in the air and keeping the mother land’s linguistic touch alive along with her folklore in this part of the world.
In order to have a close knit amongst the Kannadigas living in Sharjah and the surroundings, without any political or religious intentions or motivation, giving much importance to the rich heritage and culture of mother land Karnataka and to serve our Kannadigas living here, Karnataka Sangha Sharjah (KSS) came into existence in the year 2002 incorporating with Indian Association Sharjah.
KSS raised the platform for the upcoming talents of Kannadigas and proved them on stage during their various socio cultural activities not restricting them to only dance or singing. The association showed to the youth and prompted them the importance of motherland, language, rich heritage and culture and enabled to keep up the spirit of our home land here in this place. KSS conducted picnics, children’s painting competition, talent competition, introduced ‘Mayura Cup’ UAE ladies throw ball tournament, Men’s Volley ball tournament, Sports activities, Kannada Musical Nite, Blood donation campaign, Health check-ups etc.
KSS also took active part in consoling and helping the victims of earth quake and tsunami in India, by providing monetary as well as food, clothes and other means of support in time of need associating themselves with Indian Association Sharjah.
KSS also supported the needy students of Karnataka State’s Hirgan village of Karkala with books, clothes and scholarship for bright students in their education continuity.
KSS NAME RECORDED IN BLOOD DONATION CAMPAIGN OF UAE
KSS under the leadership of Ganesh Rai during the period 2004-2005 in co-operation with Ajman Gulf Medical College and Ministry of Health, Sharjah conducted a big blood donation campaign in 2004. The donors who queued up included citizens of AGCC Countries, Egyptians, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan along with Indians to support the great cause in good numbers. The record number is being registered with the Ministry of Health, Sharjah thus making KSS name proud in their books.
Another milestone for KSS is of a book titled ‘Saadhane’ which is the only book in Kannada published with key interviews of various famous Kannadigas in UAE who have excelled in their field and which also has details of the various Karnataka Associations in UAE.
Some of the names of well known artists in the field of music, drama and art who were being invited from India to participate and present their skills in KSS programmes in the past include Singer Composer Puttur Narasimha Nayak, Humorous Poet Richard Lobo, M.N. Narasimha Murthy, Singer B.R. Chaya, Dramatist Kasaragod Chinna, Vijaya Kumar Shetty, Guinness record holder in blood donation, Abdul Rahman, Singer Ravindra Prabhu, Anitha Sampson, Hasya Chakravarthi Dolla Mangalore, Ex-Minister Krishna Palemar, Basavaraj Horatti, MP Vishwanath, Denis D’Sa, Actor Harish Raj, Badari Prasad, Yakshagana Artist Shabaraya, Hindustani exponent Shyamala Bhave, etc. On the occasion of 9th anniversary of KSS, year 2011 Lokayukth Justice Santosh Hegde was invited who graced the occasion and presented the Mayura Award.
RECEIPIENTS OF “MAYURA AWARDS” PRESENTED BY KSS
It was in the year 2004, the founder President of KSS, Late Umesh Nanthoor had a vision to identify and felicitate the ideal Kannadiga living in UAE who have excelled in their own field and present them with prestigious “Mayura Award” as an honour for their great deeds.
Thus the ‘Mayura Award’ presentation ceremony started with the first one being inaugurated by Padmashree Dr. B.R. Shetty who presented the year 2004 twin awards, one for achievement in business field presented to Mark Denis D’Souza and the other one for art and literature to Shyam Sunder Rao.
In 2005 for achievement in business field the award was presented to Zafrulla Khan, while in social service it was Ashok Kumar Shetty and in Print Media it was Jerome Saldanha who were identified and felicitated. In 2006 for business it was Shekar B. Shetty, in literature it was Irshad Moodabidri who were felicitated and in 2007 in social service it was Dr. B.K. Yousef, in 2008 in Media field it was B.G. Mohandas, in 2009 in the field of art and literature it was B.K. Ganesh Rai and in drama it was Prakash Rao Payyar. In the year 2010 in the field of business it was James Mendonca who was honoured and finally last year 2011 in the field of social service it was Shodhan Prasad who was awarded with ‘Mayura Prashasthi’.
This year 2012 the identified three for ‘Mayura Prashasthi’ are Walter D’Souza Nandalike of www.daijiworld.com for his contribution in Media field, Harish Sherigar of Acme Building Materials for his contribution in the field of business and M.E. Moolur of Beary’s Cultural Forum for his contribution in social service. They will be honoured and awarded during the decennial function.
GUESTS WHO WILL BE GRACING THE EVENT
To grace the occasion many guests will be arriving from India who include Shri Shri Shri Eisha Vittaldasa Swamiji of Shree Kshetra Saandipani Nadashrama in coastal Karnataka, Bishop of Bellary Diocese Parama Poojya Fr. Henri D’Souza & Prof. Abubhacker Thumbe of Ras Al Khaimah Indian School. Padmashree Dr. B.R. Shetty will also be a special guest and who will grace the function.
KSS President Satish Poojary along with all the members of the Committee hereby invites all Kannadigas living in UAE to be part of the programme and make this event a successful one.