Abu Dhabi: Karnataka Sangha Celebrates Rajyotsava with Pride
Report: Shodhan Prasad
Daijiworld Media Network - Abu Dhabi
Pics: Ashok Belman (Gulf Kannadiga)
Abu Dhabi, Nov 4: Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha, one of the premier associations for Kannadigas in the UAE celebrated 'Karnataka Rajyotsava 2012' in a grand manner on November 1 at India Social and Cultural Centre, Abu Dhabi auditorium which brimmed with traditionally dressed Kannadigas who were greeted and received by the volunteers of the Sangha.
The programme kicked-off with the introductory note by Mangala Shetty and inviting chief guest M K Lokesh, ambassador of India in the UAE along with chief patron of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha, Padmashree Dr B R Shetty, president of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha, Rajyotsava Awardee Sarvotham Shetty, ace ventriloquist-magician Indushree along with her mother Manjula and all the committee members of the Sangha on to the stage for lighting the lamp in a traditional way.
The programme started with prayer rendered by Divya Sharma and Group followed by Sharanu Siddhi Vinayaka and Vishwa Vinoothana by Gana Nrutya Kaustubha. 'Ondu Sihi Nenapu' a dedication to the superstar of Sandalwood cinema Dr Rajkumar was beautifully presented by Veena Mallya and Girish of ADIS. It was a song and dance performance by various couples, applauded by the audience. Soon after this was a Kannada song 'Entha Soundarya Nadu Namma Karunadu' melodiously presented by Donald Pinto and group, followed by 'Kavi Kanda Kannada' dance by Nruthya Vidushi Rohini Ananth and group.
Maiden Da Ra Bendre Award Presentation
For the first time Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha announced and presented the 'Da Ra Bendre' Award to a well-known Kannadiga who has promoted Kannada Language, Art and Heritage for three decades in this part of the world. The maiden awardee was ex-president of Karnataka Sangha Dubai and chied editor of Gulfkannadiga.com B G Mohandas, fondly known as 'BG'. He was felicitated by the Ambassador of India to UAE M K Lokesh, Padmashree Dr B R Shetty, Shekar Shetty and Sarvotham Shetty with flowers, fruits, shawl and award.
UAE Kannadiga's blood donation campaign brochure release
A well compiled profile brochure of several regional associations of Karnataka in UAE that have donated blood for a good cause in the UAE was prepared by ex-president of Sharjah Karnataka Sangha, B K Ganesh Rai as a record of the support to this great cause by our Kannadiga's to this land. The same was released by M K Lokesh and Dr B R Shetty witnessed by the leaders and members of various Karnataka Associations in UAE. Satish Venkataramana MD of Chilli Willy Trading who supported the donors with fruits and juices during the campaigns was also present on the stage and honoured. The brochure was later distributed by Dr B R Shetty to M K Lokesh and Sarvotham Shetty on behalf of all Kannadigas. The honors were done by B K Ganesh Rai himself.
Later Nrutya Vidhushi Rohini Ananth and Swapna Kiran were honored with mementos. The sponsors of the event along with leaders of various Karnataka Associations and the media representatives were invited on to the stage and honored with shawl by Dr B R Shetty.
'Prathibha Puraskara' Medals
Various students from different parts of UAE who excelled in their studies with merit were invited on to the stage and honoured with medals by Dr B R Shetty
Ace Ventriloquist Magician Indushree Ravindran
Manohar Tonse welcomed the renowned ventriloquist-magician Indushree Ravindran and her mother Manjula on to the stage and honoured them with shawl, flower and fruits. Indushree then took on the stage and captivated the minds of the audience with her spellbinding ventriloquism, satirically presented together with her skilful hand movements. The introduction of her famous puppet Dinku was laudable and the flow of her spell was flawless. Indushree is arguably the best in the world and has recorded more than 3,000 hours of shows. She is the first Indian girl to perform double dummy and tripple dummy act, first Indian to give live TV shows, first Indian girl to perform Burnt Alive Act in India successfully and record her name in Limca and Guiness Book of World Records.
Later, her mother Manjula presented a few Kannada songs melodiously and was appreciated by the audience.
Sumptuous buffet lunch was served to everyone at around 2 pm.
UAE-level Kannada Folk Dance Competition
In the afternoon was UAE-level Kannada Folk Dance Competition with 7 teams of UAE. All the contesting teams performed beautifully, giving the judges a difficult time. All the participants depicted the richness of Kannada folk and proved that folk is still alive in this part of the world.
Out of the 7 contesting teams, 'Suggi Kunitha' by Kempegowda Thanda, choreographed by Jasmitha Vivek won the first place. 'Veera Ghaase' by Sangolli Rayanna Thanda, choreographed by Subhash Bangera won second place and 'Jakanaka Thaithama' by Rani Chenamma Thanda, choreographed by Asha Nair won the third place.
'Vonake Obava Thanda', 'Madakari Nayaka Thanda', 'Krishnadevaraya Thanda' 'Kuvempu Thanda' were some of the other participants who gave sportive perfomances with children, youths and elders in their teams.
In choreography, Asha Nair won the first place, Subhash Bangera second place and Jasmitha Vivek the third place.
The judges who ably judged the competition were Rohini Ananth, Swapna Kiran, Mangala Shetty and Dilip Devadiga. They were honoured by Dr Chandrakumari Dr B R Shetty.
Lucky draw was conducted at the end of the programme and Jayaram Rai, a member of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha distributed the prizes.
Manohar Tonse, a senior committee member compered the programme flawlessly along with his team, and won appreciation from the audience.
Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha under the able leadership of Sarvotham Shetty concluded the day-long varied programme successfully this year too with a vote of thanks.