Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (EP)

Mumbai, Jan 30: “In my earlier days in Mumbai, the encouragement that I recieved for my dramas was inspiring. The atmosphere then was different as there was enthusiasm among the artistes and the audience that used to get transformed into house full shows.  The times have changed now and scarcity of audience has taken over as modern generation shows no interest towards culture and language”, said popular film producer and senior drama artiste, Sadananda Suvarna. 

He was speaking as a chief guest at a get together jointly held by Kannada Kala Kendra Mumbai and Bombay Bunts Association at Jui Bunts Center in Navi Mumbai on Sunday evening January 19.

Sri Guru Swamiji of Sri Kshetra Odiyooru lighted the lamp and inaugurated the get together.  “We have two mothers.  One is Kannada and the other is Tulu.  Hindi can be called the grandmother.  We cannot forget Kannada and cannot leave Tulu.  Hindi is essential.  We should actively involve ourselves in our culture regardless of where we live.  As the language grows, the culture also rows.  People in Mumbai are intelligent and they are the ones who make the culture grow”, said the swamiji explaining the beauty of tulu language and its culture. 

Justice Ratnakar V Shetty, president of Bombay Bunts Association, presided over the programme.  Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat and of Kalkura Pratistana was the guest of honor.  Dr Raghava Nambiar, famous Yakshagana scholar, Pramodini Rao, director of Nadabindu Chinmaya Mission Kolvan and S Brahmachar, director of Udaya Kalaniketan Sagar organization were present.           

Dr Raghava Nambiar said that Adi Shankeracharya who professed Hinduism in the eighth century had walked from Kanyakumari

to Himalaya thrice. Pramodini Rao and Brahmachar praised the enthusiasm among Tulu Kannadigas and their attachment towards their culture.Justice Ratnakar Shetty in his presidential address said that “programmes such as these are the symbol of patriotism and cultured life.  Our lives will be worth living when we live in unity”, he said. 

Advocate D K Shetty, honorary secretary of the Bunts association, C A Surendra K Shetty, treasurer, Asha S Shetty, executive president of the women’s wing, Nivedita A Shetty, president of the youth wing, advocate K P Prakash L Shetty, Ramesh Poojary, B H Katty, V K Suvarna, Manjunatha Gowda, Prasad Ninjooru, Jagadish Shetty Nadajeguthu, Vijay Hegde, Karunakar Alva, Prabhakar Hegde, G T Acharya and representatives of social groups in the vicinity of Navi Mumbai participated in the programme and Guru Devananda Swamiji felicitated them.

Kannada Kala Kendra Mumbai troupe presented the tenth performance of ‘Sri Adishankaracharya’ drama as a cultural programme. 

Sham N Shetty, honorary president of Tulu Kannadigas friendly get together committee welcomed the gathering.  B Balachandra, president of Kala Kendra gave an introductory speech.  Shimunje Parari and T R Madhusoodhan compered the programme. 

Niveditha A Shetty proposed vote of thanks.