News and pics: Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (EP)

Mumbai, Jan 24: The eighteenth All India Kuvempu memorial Kannada one act drama competition held by Karnataka Sangha, Mumbai concluded on Sunday, January 19.  Hongirana Shimoga troupe has bagged first prize for their ‘Karnanta Ranga’ play.

Second prize was won by Samanvaya Bangalore troupe for ‘Surya Shikari’ drama.  Third prize went to Chennaraya Pattana trouple for ‘Marikadu’ drama.

Eighteen troupes participated in the drama competition that was held for four days from last Friday at Dr M Vishweshwaraya hall at Matunga west.  At the concluding ceremony presided over by Karnataka Sangha president Prakash G Burde, Raghunandan S Kamath, proprietor of Natural Ice Cream, senior businessman and chief guest of the programme, distributed prizes for the winners of the competition.

“People ask do you still have the craze for dramas.  People expressing satisfaction that we are interested in dramas and encouraging us are few.  The encouragement and love of Karnataka Sangha Mumbai towards dramas is praiseworthy.  The programme is proof enough of the enthusiasm of the Sangha”, said Raghunandan Kamath.

“It is necessary to have new dramas in Kannada and there is a need for creativity.  It is sad that internet and the television have adversely affected the prospects of dramas.  Importance to interesting topic in dramas is the need of the hour,” opined Burde in his presidential address.     

Prior to the concluding ceremony, Sulapuma Kannada Vrinda Mumbai troupe presented ‘Mooka Prema’,  MPM Lalitakala Sangha Bhadravati troupe presented ‘Madthor Papa Adthor Bayapa’, Hongirana Shimoga troupe presented ‘Karnantaranga’, GPIER trouple of Mysore presented Girija Kalyana, Chennabasava Nataka Sangha Haveri presented Nayi Bharamya and Ranga Sangama Mysore trouple presented Shivaji the real hero dramas.

Sujatha J Shetty, P B Prasanna and G P Prabhakar cooperated by being the judges.  They expressed their opinions, gave suggestions and wished best of luck for the stage performances.

There was a cultural programme prior to the prize distribution ceremony.  Om Das Kannangar, honorary secretary of the sangha welcomed and gave a key note address.  Srinivas Jokatte, G P Kusuma, Surendra Marnad and Rajiv Naik introduced the guests and judges.  Vice president Dr Bharath Kumar Polipu conducted the programme and proposed vote of thanks.