Abu Dhabi : Vishwamanya Awards Conferred at World Kannada Convention
Daijiworld Media Network - Abu Dhabi
Pics by Prakash D'Souza
Abu Dhabi, Dec 16: The 9th two-day Vishwa Kannada Samskruthi Sammelana - 2012 (World Kannada Cultural Convention) held at Indian High School, Sheikh Zayed Auditorium, Abu Dhabi concluded here on Saturday, December 16 with the presentation of 'Vishwamanya' awards to five distinguished achievers, and a memorable entertainment programme.
Day 2 of the event started at around 5.30 pm with an entertaining Kannada 'Rasamanjari' by the artistes of Gulf Kannadigas.
'Vishwa Vinootana' group dance by Gana Nruthya Koustubha, Abu Dhabi and Janapada dance by "Jakkanaka Thai Thai" by Clarissa Fernandes and team, UAE were the other entertainers.
Karnataka Sangha patron B R Shetty presided over the award presentation ceremony along with president of 9th Kannada Convention Mallepuram G Venkatesh, Manjunath Sagar of Hrudayavahini, Sarvothama Shetty, president, Karnataka Sangha Abu Dhabi and main coordinator of the convention, Satish Poojary, president Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, Shekhar Shetty Abu Dhbi, Shashidhar of Karnataka Sangha Dubai and others.
Raju Chandrashekar and Pandit Naveen Chandra Sanil were first conferred the awards by the guests on the stage, followed by Sudhir Shetty, COO, UAE Exchange Abu Dhabi (banking and social service), Walter Nandalike of Daijiworld.com (media) and Siraj Ahmed from Abu Dhabi (social service), the three Kannadigas from the UAE who were chosen for 'Vishwamaanya Award'.
Dr B R Shetty in his addressed congratulated the achievers, and also Karnataka Sangha for organising the two-day event in association with Hrudayavahini.
The other highlights of the programme were Yakshagana "Kamsa Vadhe" by members of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha Hanigavana Ghosti (humorous) - by Avaneesh Bhat and team,
group song by Donald Pinto and group, UAE, Hasya Lahari by Kotresh Kodligi and team,
"Ekadantaya" dance by Nruthya Lahari Kala Kendra Trust, Bangalore, and Nruthya Roopaka by Nupura Kala Samsthe, Dharwad.
Manohar Thonse compered the stage programme, while Go Na Swamy compered the Rasamanjari.
Sarvotham Shetty, who has built the Karnataka Abu Dhabi Sangha over the last 32 years, and who is also the recipient of Karnataka Rajyotsava award for his contribution to Kannada language, art and culture has been instrumental in organizing the entire two-day event which was witnessed by more than 150 visiting artistes and guests from around the globe, and a number of Kannada lovers from around the UAE. Sarvotham Shetty felicitated all the artistes who presented entertainment and cultural events on Saturday.