Sujith L Fernandes
Daijiworld Media Network - Sharjah
Sharjah, Jun 22: It was a grand celebration of Kannada tradition and culture as Karnataka Sangha Sharjah celebrated its 12 anniversary at Sharjah Indian Association conference hall here on Friday June 20.
The event was a complete entertainer with a variety of dances and musical programmes keeping the audience in rapt attention throughout the evening.
The prestigious Mayura Award was conferred on Herman Lewis of Radio Spice 105.4 FM for the year 2013-14. On this occasion his wife Nishitha and two daughters were present.
Acknowledging the honour, Herman Lewis thanked the organizers for conferring the award on him and said, "My responsibility has increased after receiving this award. I will try my best to serve and support our Kannada language and our state. To achieve success in any field, it is important to respect the value of time and make good use it."
Well-known Sandalwood actor Vijay Raghavendra and choreographer Harini Madan were special invitees for the event.
Sharjah Indian Association president Balakrishna, former president Y A Rahim, Acme Building Materials MD Harish Sherigar, Praveen Shetty of Fortune Group of Hotels, Sathish Venkataraman of Chilly Willy, M A Muloor, Anand Bailoor, Association president Shantharam Acharya, Ganesh Rai, Shashikanth Kanagi were present as chief guests.
On this occasion Anand Bailoor and his wife Parija Bailoor were felicitated. Aryabhata Awardees Sathish Poojary and Rohini Ananth were also honoured.
Deepak Somashekar who supervises Kannada film shows in the UAE, actor Varna Shetty, Sheik Hamdan award winnners Shraddha Devadas Shetty, Shashwik Diwakar Shetty, Prapthi, Prerana Pai, Calisto Abel were felicitated.
Dance performances by various groups, and Kannada songs sung by Harish Sherigar, Akshatha Rao, Mallika, Divya Kumble and Sharath mesmerized the audience.
On the occaison, winners of Mayura Raja Rani dance awards were also felcitated.
Winners (Mayura Raja-Rani):
6-12 years
Adithya - Unathi (first)
Joysten D’ Souza - Arolia Jesica(second)
Prajwal Acharya - Disha Shivaraj(third)
13-20 years
Avirath Hegde - Melanie Moras (first)
Rahul Ramesh - Akshatha Harish Sherigar(second)
Clayon D’ Souza - Spesha Mathew (third)
21-35 years
Hitesh - Shwetha Hitesh(first)
Nixon D’ Souza - Sheral(second)
Vishal D’ Souza - Sheral D’ Souza(third)
36 and above
Manohar Hegde - Rashmi Manohar(first)
Deepak Raj Kotian - Nalinankshi Kotian(second)
Vincent - Jacinta Vincent (third)