Report: P S Naik, Muscat
Pics: Zubair Ahmed

Muscat, May 29: It was a moment of pride and privilege for Spandana team to felicitate and honour Gurukiran, who is currently one of the most sought after music directors of Kannada film industry having given hundreds of hit songs in past couple of years.

Gurukiran was on a short visit to Muscat recently and Spandana team took this opportunity to organize a private melodious musical evening as a small tribute honouring Gurukiran. The felicitation ceremony was organized at Hotel Khana Khajana on Saturday, May 25 which was attended by Spandana members. Some of the guest invitees, viz. G V Ramakrishna, Dr Anchan CK, Shankar Shetty and Ganesh Shetty, who were also the sponsors for Spandana’s third successful mega musical event “Raag Anuraag” which held on May 16, graced the occasion.

Spandana’s convener Koni Prakash Naik along with the team members gave a warm welcome to Shri Gurukiran by presenting a floral bouquet and a beautiful memento in recognition of his outstanding achievement in Kannada film industry.  Yogananda Holalkere introduced Guru Kiran to the audience.

Team member, Jaya Ramesh Shettigar, briefed about Gurukiran’s great achievements as a music director and his contributions to Kannada film industry.  She also compered the entire musical programme at which Spandana members, namely, G V Srish, Prakash Naik, Karunakar Rao, Raju Sanil, Veena Srinivas, Sakshi Bhagawat, Priya Pai, Preeti Kodancha and the recently crowned Voice of Kudla, (Male) Kishan Udyavar and the Voice of Kudla (Female) Chaitra, Ashok Kotian rendered some melodious Hindi and Kannada songs.

Sudeeksha Suresh Shenoy, a little wonder girl and dancing sensation, who has performed in a number of dance competitions and won prizes and accolades, performed for a foot tapping dance number “Chikni Chameli” in her own inimitable and graceful style, while Priya Pai sang live.

While speaking on the occasion, Gurukiran expressed his immense happiness for inviting and honouring him and thanked the Spandana team for the same.  He also recollected his first visit to Muscat for a concert titled “Gurukiran Nite” organized by the Karnataka Wing of Indian Social Club under the leadership of Shri Yogananda Holalkere.  He gave certain valuable tips to the budding singers and also appreciated the efforts of Spandana team and the Karaoke Club members for their passion to music and conveyed his best wishes.

Spandana Muscat is a group of like-minded people sharing common interests in music, entertainment and socio-cultural activities. The motto and the vision of Spandana, “together we can make a difference” defines the aims and goals of Spandana.

"Not all buds bloom and not all those that bloom become fruits”.   Understanding this ground reality, over the past three years Spandana Muscat has been making its sincere efforts in identifying and showcasing the talents of truly deserving artists (not necessarily celebrities), thereby giving them an opportunity and international exposure, be it musicians, instrumentalists or artists of any other performing art, like Yakshagana.  In addition, Spandana Muscat is also trying to reach out to various humanitarian causes such as blood donation, assisting the needy and downtrodden etc.

Spandana team consists of Prakash Naik Koni (convener), Riyaz Ahmed Basrur (co-convener), Ramesh Shettigar, Karunakar Rao, Kadri, Nagesh Shetty Kinnigoly, Ramanand Kunder, Jaya Ramesh Shettigar, Yogananda Holalkere,  Zubair and Umesh Buntwal.