News and pics: Rons Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (EP)

Mumbai, March 23: Kannadiga Artistes Council, Maharastra with the cooperation of Karnataka Government department of Kannada and culture,Bengaluru and Karnataka Sangha Mumbai, held Cultural Arts Festival 2015 at Dr M Vishweshwaraya hall of Karnataka Sangha at Mahim west on Saturday, March 21.

Parishat president Surendrakumar Hegde lit the traditional lamp and inaugurated the festival. Jasmine Cooperative Credit Society executive president Dr Surendra V Shetty was the Chief Guest.

Surendrakumar Hegde in his presidential address, said that a handbook of the art lovers will be brought out. “The council does not have a place of its own. The future plans of the Council includes an own office and arrangements for resident camps for artistes. Financial help will be obtained from the governments of Maharastra and Karnataka and handed over to the artistes. It will be tried to identify all types of senior artistes and they well be awarded suitably and provided financial help, he said.

Senior artiste Dr Sunitha M Shetty, Mogaveera Cooperative Bank Limited executive president Keerthiraj Salian, researcher Dr Vani Uchilkar,Mogaveera Mahajana Seva Sangha Bagwadi executive president Mahabala M Kunder, Kannadigara Patrakarthara Sangha Maharastra president Chandrashekar Palethady, Abhinaya Mantapa Mumbai president Rajkumar Karnad, Gokarna Parthagali Math Vadala branch honorary secretary Ashok Nayak and organizer dramatist Dinesh present on the occasion, spoke as per context.

Group of artistes present on the occasion, presented short artistic plays, Yakshagana etc.

Damodara Shetty Iruvailu, Padmanabha Sasihitlu, Vittal Prabhu, Ashok Sasihitlu, Juliet Pereira, Tara R Bangera and several others artistes were present. Sushila Devadiga and Ranjini Moily led the prayers.Council Vice president Kamalaksha Saraf welcomed. Council honorary treasurer P B Chandrahas, Joint secretary Chandravathi Devadiga, Joint treasurer Navin Shetty Inna Balike, Convener Ramesh Shivapura and sub committee office bearers presented mementos to the guests and felicitated them. G T Acharya explained the activities of the council.Karnuru Mohan Rai introduced the guests and compered the programme.Honourary Chief secretary Raju Sriyan proposed Vote of thanks.