Bahrain:  Kannada Sangha Celebrates `Vasanthothsava’

Pics & Report: Ronald D’Souza & Joe Andrade
Daijiworld Media Network - Bahrain (MR)

Bahrain, Apr 6: Kannada Sangha, Bahrain, took off with its first major program under the new Managing Committee presided over by Mr. Austin Santhosh, with a large number of  members, their families including children and guests, at the Ramada Palace Hotel premises on 3rd April, 2008, from 8.30 p.m. in a grand gala “Vasanthothsava” (Festival of Spring) celebration.    

The evening was quite spectacular show-casing the rich cultural tradition of Karnataka with Bharathanatyam, classical, folk and filmy dances meticulously performed by members’ children.   The star attraction of the evening for the scintillating show was the presence of award-winning famous Kannada playback singer B.R. Chaya who thrilled the audience with her melodious voice singing a variety of Kannada, Hindi and Tulu old and new songs ably assisted with the compering and accostics on-stage and back-stage by her husband,  Padmapani,  another famous personality of the TV serials stage.    Padmapani laced his compering with a good sense of humour tickling the audience to laughter at regular intervals.   

The event was graced by the Indian Ambassador to Bahrain, H.E. Balkrishna Shetty, as the Chief Guest along with his wife Vasundhara who together with the audience relished every moment of the evening to the end.

Another noted personality flown-in along with B R Chaya and Party was a prominent Social Worker Mohandev Alva, the son of late Dr. Nagappa Alva, a freedom fighter from Karnataka.  

B.R. Chaya co-hosts various programs on ETV channel and has twice bagged the best playback singer award from the Karnataka Government.   She currently owns a popular musical troupe BR Chaya and Party and also sings Tulu, Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi film songs and is an expert in devotional Bhava Geethe songs and has a number of CDs to her credit.

The event also welcomed the new Managing Executive Committee, who were introduced to the audience. The Indian Ambassador touchingly gave each of them a rose.   It was an opportunity for members to get to know the Committee members of their Sangha.

In a crisp brisk ceremony, Chaya, Padmapani and Mohandev Alva were introduced by the Committee members, felicitated with bouquet of flowers and given mementoes as a token remembrance of their visit to Bahrain.  Another senior member of the Club, Mr. Sudhaker Shetty, was also felicitated for his contribution and encouragement to the Sangha.  All of them and the Indian Ambassador to Bahrain addressed the audience with their brief sentiments and gratitude.  Some of the members’ children who were leaving the island for higher studies, were also given mementoes for excelling in various fields.
 

The “Gold Sponsor” for the program was BMMI Bahrain and the main Sponsor, Al Fahad Manpower Services.  Asif Iqbal, Treasurer, proposed the Vote of Thanks.

The Entertainment Secretary, Doomanna Rai, and all the other Committee members, were seen quite active attending to the comforts of all members and the smooth conclusion of the program.   Chaya was also joined in singing  by various members of the Club in filmy song renditions.

A sumptuous dinner saw to the taste buds of the audience as a befitting finale to a successful “Vasanthothsava” program.