Report: Shodhan Prasad
Pics: Ashok Belman - Kannadiga World
Sharjah, Nov 21: Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, a premier association for Kannadigas in the UAE in association with Hrudayavahini Karnataka, a cultural ambassador of India jointly celebrated the 60th Karnataka Rajyotsava, 13th annual day of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, and the 12th World Kannada Cultural Convention 2015 along with presenting the prestigious Mayura Award to well-known business man Vakwadi Praveen Kumar Shetty for his contribution towards social causes and activities and his service to Kannada language and culture.
Inauguration on Nov 19
The scheduled two-day convention was inaugurated on Thursday November 19 at 8 pm at Foturne Grand Hotel, Ghusais by convention president Prof S G Siddaramayyah along with president of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, Satheesh Venkataramana, president of Hrudayavahini K P Manjunath, MLA of Karnataka Mohiuddin Bava, director of Fortune Group of Hotels Praveen Shetty, Sri Malaya Shantha Swamiji, MD of ACME building materials Harish Sherigar, president of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha Sarvottam Shetty, famous Kannada film actor-cum-music director Sadhu Kokila, patron of KSS Mark Denis Dsouza and other dignitaries on the dais.
K P Manjunath welcomed everyone to the celebration and explained the objectives of Hrudayavahini behind celebrating the 12th World Kannada Convention. Mohiuddin Bava, MLA of Karnataka expressed his happiness in representing the government of Karnataka on behalf of chief minister Siddaramaiah and congratulated all the members of KSS and Hrudayavahini for creating the magic of culture and literature on one stage. Later Praveen Shetty, Sarvottam Shetty, Sadhu kokila, Mark Denis D'Souza, Malaya Shantha Swamiji spoke and wished the Sangha all the best for the second-day of the programme, 'Mayura Award' as well as the celebration of the 60th Karnataka Rajyotsava with 12th World Kannada Cultural Convention and the 13th Annual Day celebration.
Satheesh Venkataramana, president of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah thanked everyone for making the inaugural programme lively and requested all to attend the next day of the programme scheduled at the Al Boom tourist village auditorium, Sharjah.
Soon after the stage programme was 'Chutuku Kavi Goshti' as the famous poets of UAE and India presented their humorous and entertaining short poems. The team headed by B R Lakshman included poets invited from India and UAE - Irshad Moodbidri from Dubai, Arati Ghatikar from Dubai, Bindiganavile Bhagwan from Bengaluru, Priya Harish from Mangaluru and Yaqub Khader from Gulwadi. Sadhukokila and artistes from TV9 of the 'Halli Katte' comedy show fame thoroughly entertained the audience.
Celebrations on Nov 20
The second day programme included celebration of 60th Karnataka Rajyotsava, the 13th annual programme of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah with Mayura Award presentation and the 12th World Kannada Cultural Convention with various cultural festivities.
The programme was held at the beautiful palatial auditorium of Al Boom Tourist Village, Sharjah.
It started with hoisting of Karnataka Flag and singing of national anthems of India and UAE with Karnataka State Anthem (Nada Geethe) by committee members of the Karnataka Sangha Sharjah along with president Satheesh Venkataramana, president of Hrudayavahini K P Manjunath and president of the convention S G Siddaramayyah. Vice-president of Karnatka Sangha Sharjah Sugandh Raj Bekal welcomed the gathering.
Go Na Swamy and Priya Harish took over the stage as masters of ceremony and presented various stage events viz,many cultural activities like folk dance, filmy dance, bharatanatya, music, singing and live comedy/mimicry performances from various artistes of Karnataka including TV9 Group artistes as well as performers from UAE. Go Na Swamy rendered some beautiful soulful songs along with some local talents too who were invited.
Students of classical rhythm presented welcome dance choreographed by Rohini Ananth followed by mix dance for Kannada songs by the same group. There was a dance drama by Krishna Ras-Pushkar Centre for Perfoming Arts, Mangaluru, another dance drama Karnataka Siri by Shri Rajarajeshwari Nritya Kala Mandira, Bengaluru and folk dance by Mangala Mahima Nritya Sampada, Bengaluru. Prihali Harish also presented a beautiful dance. Group from Sharjah Karnataka Sangha also presented a dance drama. Harish Sherigar and Akshata Rao rendered some Kannada mix numbers. All these groups presented and performed very well and applauded by the audience.
'Kavi Goshti'
'Kavi Goshti' which was presented by Prof M B Kudari Gokak from Belgaum followed by Prabha Suvarna from Mumbai, Prakash Rao Payyar from Dubai, Gopinath Rao from UAE, Eranna Moolimani from Dubai and Manohar Melmane from Sirsi. M E Moolur joined them later from Karnataka Sangha Sharjah. The poets rendered their own views on different subjects given in poetical manner which was appreciated and applauded by the audiences
'Madhayama Goshti'
'Anivasi Kannadigaru and Madhyama Goshti' followed, presided over by Sarvotham Shetty from Abu Dhabi, with the participation of KP Manjunath from Mangalore, B V Nagaraj from Canada, Ananth Prabhu from Mangaluru and Veerendra Babu from Dubai. During the goshti, all the speakers explained their views differently and also put forthe their views on how one should make use the media effectively. Some of the speakers went off from their subjects but finally Sarvotham concluded with his well prepared various points on the subject which was very well applauded by the audience.
While the programme was going on with music and dance, sumptous lunch buffet was open as people grabed the food and was back on their chairs to view the ongoing programme.
Mayura Award
The afternoon session started with a procession of illuminated cart carrying 'Karnataka Maathe' lead by dignitories, members of Sangha, leaders of various associations and Mayura Awardee Praveen Shetty with his family who were later escorted to the stage for the ceremony with traditional weldome of trumphets and drum.
Ganesh Rai took over charge of the stage for this formal stage program in his own unique way and invited the guests on to the stage. A video presentation of Praveen Shetty's achievements were shown to the audience and soon Padmashree Dr B R Shetty, convention president SG Siddaramayyah, president of KSS SateeshaVenkataramana, CEO of Zain group of hotels Zafrulla Khan Mandya, MLA Mohiuddin Bava, actor Sadhukokila, MD of Acme building materials Harish Sherigar, president of Abudhabi Karnataka Sangha Sarvottam Shetty, patron of KSS Mark Denis Dsouza, general secretary of KSS Ananth Raman, Malaya Shantha Swamiji were invited on to the stage to do the honours in a formal way by lightening the traditional auspicious lamp. During same occasion, the prestigious Mayura ward was conferred on renowned businessman Praveen Shetty for his contribution towards social activities and his service towards Kannada language and culture. Praveen Shetty was honoured along with his family.
After receiving the award Praveen Kumar Shetty thanked KSS for the recognition he has received and for honoring him with the prestigious Mayura Award. He remembered his parents and said that their blessings and the wishes and prayers of his dear ones have made him a successful person and he will always be willing to contribute to the society. He also assured his full-fledged support to mankind and vowed to help those in need in the coming days. He also wished all the success to KSS.
'Global Man' Award
The programme continued with the presentation of 'Global Man Award 2015' and the award was conferred on various achievers for their achievement in various fields. Dr N A Magdum for education, Metro Mohammad for social service, A S Kudroli for education, B K Ganesh Rai for his service to Kannada, Maruthi Sheguni for social service, Rajesh Varnekar for art, Naveen Prasad for Kriya Yoga and Dr D K Ramesh for his service in the medical field were honored with the award.
World Kannada Convention Award
The World Kannada Convention Award 2015 was conferred to Dr. Aikalabava Deviprasad Shetty for his village development service, Dawood Abubaker for his service in the technical field, Anne Gowda for social service, Dr. V Nagaraj for his service in the technical field and V Jayalakshmi Jithendra for her service in the field of art through the Bharatanatyam dance form. They were honored with an award and certificates.
Pride of Karnataka Award
The Pride of Karnataka Award 2015 was presented to Mark Denis Dsouza, Prabhakar Ambalatere, Noel D Almeida, Satish poojary and Shantharam Acharya for their selfless service towards the development of Kannada literature and culture.
Felicitations
Basanth Bekal a member of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah was invited on the stage and felicitated. Later remembering the founder President of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, the late Umesh Nanthoor, his wife Shaila Umesh Nanthoor was invited on to the stage and felicitated by Dr B R Shetty. Convention Samithi President Manjunath Sagar of Hridyavahini Karnataka and Presenter Go Na Swamy were invited on to the stage and felicitated.
Hasya Goshti presenters Mahadeva Sathegiri and Ajay Surapura were also honoured during the event.
The talented young talent of UAE who won the prestigious Hamdan Award for the excellent performance in the academic tenure and other activities Kum. Prihali Harish was honored with 'Prathiba Ratna' and mementoes by convention president Prof S G Siddaramayyah.
Dr B R Shetty, MLA Mohiuddin Bava, convention president Prof S G Siddaramayyah, Shri Malaya Shantha Swamiji congratulated all the awardees and thanked them for their selfless service in their respective fields. They wished all success to Karnataka Sangha Sharjah and Hrudayavahini and thanked president Satheesh Venkataramana for displaying his leadership in make the convention a great success.
Sponsors, well-wishers of the convention, media representatives were all honored by the president. All performers were honored with mementoes. Various guest artists who came from Karnataka entertained the audiences with their best performances. Sadhukokila was a special attraction of the occasion while he sang a song which enthralled the audience.
Go Na Swamy, Priya Harish, Ganesh Rai, Rohini Ananth and Rajesh Kuttar jointly part by part compered the whole programme.
The programme concluded with president of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah Sateesha Venkataramana thanking each and every one for their contribution in making the convention a grand success.