Pics: Sunil Crasto
Media Release
Doha, Nov 13: Karnataka Muslim Cultural Association (KMCA), a united forum representing and uniting all Karnataka-based Muslims working and living in Qatar, celebrated the 61st Karnataka Rajyotsava with fanfare and entertainment at the Al Maha Academy for Boys here on Friday, November 11 evening.
As has been the tradition, KMCA again presented a meaningful and well-organized programme that was laced with entertainment, patriotic fervour, perfect blend of art and music.
The event started with the recital of Quranic verses by Master Faakhir Faiyaz, The verses were translated by Hannan Ahmed Assadi. The Master of ceremony Zakir Ahmed explained the schedule of events for the evening and handed over the stage to noted Kannada poet and Shaayar Asadullah Baig, who had been flown in from Bengaluru to continue with cultural programme.
Well-known artists from Karnataka were flown in for the programme and they exhibited their exceptional talent and entertained the audience to the maximum. While Asadullah Baig was at his usual best with punching poems and pinching shaayris, renowned magician, illusionist, escapologist and stunt performer Prahlad Acharya from Udupi again proved that he is one of the best. Prahlad has been performing in India and abroad for years now, yet he has maintained his aura and charm. Every time he takes on the stage, he spellbinds the audience with his amazing skills and rare talent. Then there was another experience entertainer Mysore Anand, who has created a niche for himself in the entertainment industry with his unique mimicry acts. He is an engineer by qualification but a literature and art lover by passion. He brought out the subtle day-to-day life experience in his own style and entertained the audience. His mimicry, cricket commentary was highlight of the evening.
KMCA in general and KMCA president Niyaz Ahmed must be feted for recognizing up and coming talents from the native land and providing them an international platform. It was the first international platform for young Kannada Ghazal singer Ramachandra Hadapad and illusionist Mohammed Idris. Both of them are precious talents and their performance in front of the full-house audience came in for lot of praise from the gathering. Ramachandra Hadapad presented some of the most beautiful songs and soul-stirring Ghazals enthralling the gathering and forcing them to ask for more. Another young performer Mohammed Idris is an illusionist and has already performed hundreds of shows in India. It was his maiden international show and he showcased skills of his magical fingers entertaining the children in special and keeping the audience glued to their seats till the end.
A short stage programme was held after the first round of entertainment programme. Compere Shaikh Mudassir Ahmed invited the chief guest Moideen Bava, MLA from Mangaluru North constituency, guest of honour Dinesh Amin Mattu, media advisor to the Chief Minister of Karnataka, KMCA president Niyaz Ahmed, Vice-president Abdulla Monu, and general secretary Saquib Raza on stage. As a part of GCC culture, dates were given to chief guest, guest of honour and then to all the heads of Indian organizations and dignitaries who were present at the programme.
KMCA president Niyaz Ahmed welcomed all the dignitaries, members and all attendees to the event and also explained the present situation of GCC with the drop in oil prices and emphasized on being united and supporting each other when away from our home country. A fund donation was organized from KMCA for Indian Community Benevolent Fund (ICBF) and the cheque of the same was handed over to the ICBF president Arvind Patil on the occasion.
KMCA members who have excelled in academics and sports were presented with prizes. Prize-distribution was conducted by Ruksana Muneer and supported by KMCA Ladies wing members Aisha Rafiq and Masooda. Nimra Dastagir, Hiba Fathima and Bilal Ahmed were awarded for achieving high marks in 10th grade exams while Nidal Sheikh was awarded for winning interschool swimming competition. Qatar’s pride Neha Shetty was accorded special award for winning U13-GCC Badminton singles and doubles tourney for the second time in as many years and making the Kannadigas proud.
KMCA has been conferring special award on a person who has rendered yeoman’s service to the community every year. This year’s recipient was Mohammed Ashraf, office manager of Indian Cultural Center for rendering his continued and best service to Indian community in Qatar for 17 long years.
Speaking on the occasion Dinesh Amin Mattu spoke about the unity and integrity, of Kannadigas, especially in foreign lands. He beautifully narrated the role of expatriates in building two countries at a time, one country where they work and live and the second one being their native land. “The love of culture and native land is close to the expatriates who are away from their native. This also fosters unity among them in places where they live and helps in nurturing strong fraternal bonds. This unity and fraternal bonds must be carried home and be exhibited in our native land too,” he urged.
Chief guest Moideen Bava said that the unity in Kannadigas can only make Karnataka a better place and in turn make India a better nation. He was delighted to see the gathering from Karnataka who are celebrating Kannada Rajyotsava organized by a Muslim organization KMCA in a Muslim country, Qatar.
KMCA annual magazine Pragathi, edited by Aisha Rafiq and co-edited by Ayesha Abdulla Monu released on the occasion by the guests and, was joined by the KMCA committee members and people who supported in the making of magazine, Arun Kumar, Roopa Pramod, Subramanya Hebbagelu and Savious Crasta.
A momento was presented from KMCA to chief guest, guest of honour, heads of different Kannada organizations. Vice-president Abdulla Monu proposed the vote of thanks.
During the Cultural function, Chikkamagaluru Friends Circle felicitated Niyaz Ahmed and Ravi Shetty for winning the Rajyotsava Award 2016 from Chikkamagaluru and Dakshina Kannada respectively. The profile of Niyaz Ahmed was read by Manjunath and felicitation was jointly done by Arun Kumar, Sanjay Khudri, Milan Arun, Priyajith Gowda, Mustafa, John Pinto and Shaikh Mudassir Ahmed. Ravi Shetty’s introduction was done by Niyaz Ahmed himself and felicitation was jointly accorded by Mannangi and Deepak Shetty.
Dignitaries from different Karnataka-based organizations namely, Milan Arun, Arun Kumar, Sanjay Khudri, Ravi Shetty, H K Madhu, Arvind Patil, Abdul Hye, Navaneet Shetty, Deepak Shetty, Nazeer Pasha, Anil Boloor, Nagesh Rao, Seetharam Shetty, Ramchandra Shetty, Prabhakar, Subramanya, Mahesh Gowda, Alexis Castelino and Savious Crasta were also present at the event.
The event was successful with an attendance of more than 350 people and was concluded at 9:30 pm local time with giving momentos to the performing artists from ExCom of KMCA.