News: Shodhan Prasad
Photos: Floyd Kiran

Sharjah, Nov 21: Sharjah Karnataka Sangha celebrated their 15th anniversary along with the 62nd Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations and ‘Mayura Vishwamanya Kannadiga Award’ presentation programme at Sharjah Indian Association on November 17.

‘Mayura Vishwamanya Kannadiga Award 2017’ was presented to well-known community leader, president of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha and Rajyotsava awardee Sarvotham Shetty in the glittering function.

Karnataka flag hoisted

President and committee members of Sharjah Karnataka Sangha assembled along with patron Mark Denis D’Souza on the stage and unfurled the flag of Karnataka to start of the day’s programme. Advisory board member, M E Moolur rendered good wishes to the audience.

Students of Klassical Rythms Dance Institute presented a welcome dance to start the programme in a grand manner. This was followed by a group dance presentation by Radical Dance Studio Group and Billawas Dubai Group which was applauded by the audience.

Visiting guest Kumari Lahari Kotiyan rendered a beautiful melodious song followed by the singers of UAE level singing competition and other guest singers including Sannidhi Vishwanath Shetty, Madhura Vishwanath, Shahid Shahabaz, Harish Sherigar, Sai Mallika, Akshata Rao and Amogh Varsha. They rendered soulful melodies which were once again appreciated and applauded by the whole audience.

Former ‘Mayura' awardees felicitated

Former awardees of ‘Mayura Vishwamanya Kannadiga Award’ from 2004 were all invited on to the stage. Recipients Sujatha Shyam Sunder, Mark Denis D’Souza, Irshad Moodabidri, B G Mohandas, B K Ganesh Rai, Prakash Rao Payyar, James Mendonca, Shodhan Prasad, Harish Sherigar, M E Moolur, Sudhir Kumar Shetty, Pravin Kumar Shetty and Joseph Mathias were honoured with ‘Golden Badge’ by the visiting guest minsiter of Karnataka, U T Khader.

‘Mayura Vishwamanya Kannadiga Award 2017’ presented to Sarvotham Shetty

Sharjah Karnataka Sangha as every year identifies one Kannadiga who has served Kannada and Karnataka overseas and honour the person with the award. This year’s award was presented to community leader Sarvotham Shetty. The award was presented by Dr B R Shetty along with minister from Karnataka U T Khader and guests Fr Maxim Pinto of Sharjah church, advocate Y A Rahim, president of Sharjah Indian Association, Sudhir Kumar Shetty, president of UAE Exchange, Praveen Kumar Shetty, president of Karnataka NRI Forum, Dr Sadashiva Bangera of Ajman Gulf Medical College, Harish Sherigar, Mark Denis D’Souza, patron of Sharjah Karnataka Sangha and Sugandhraj Bekal, president of Sharjah Karnataka Sangha. The programme which started with a procession was ably handled and conducted by former president of Sharjah Karnataka Sangha, B K Ganesh Rai who concluded the programme in his own inimitable style successfully.

Kanangi couple felicitated

Like every year, Sharjah Karnataka Sangha identifies a best worker in the organization and felicitates them. This time it was Shashikanth and Latha Shashikant Kanangi who were felicitated on the stage with shawl, flower bouquet, memento and felicitation certificate.

‘Yaksha Mayura’ Award to Yakshangana guru Shekar D Shettigar

Shekar D Shettigar, who has been serving Yakshagana Ballet Art in this part of the world, contributing and training youth in this rare art form and presenting various performances in the UAE was identified and honoured with ‘Yaksha Mayura’ Award and felicitated during the programme.

Honorary guests honoured

Chief guest Dr B R Shetty, Karnataka minister U T Khader, Fr Maxim Pinto, president of Sharjah Indian Association Y A Rahim, and Dr Sadashiva Bangera of Gulf Medical College were all felicitated with flower bouquet, shawl and memento.

‘Mayura Natya Manjari’ group dance competition

As many as three groups participated in ‘Mayura Natya Manjari’ group dance competition. All three groups put their efforts to present the best possible performance. Judges Sujatha Shyamsunder Rao, Saumya Sudheer and Guruvinder Singh ably judged the participants and announced the results.

Ocean Kids Dance and Music Institute grabbed the title followed by Natya Lasya and Rythms Sharjah winning the first and second runners-up respectively. Praveen Kumar from Ocean Kids was adjudged the best choreographer. The best performance was again by Ocean Kids who were felicitated and honoured during the event.

‘Dasharathi Darshana’ Yakshagana ballet by children

Children trained by guru Shekar D Shettigar performed ‘Dasharathi Darashana’, a beautiful Yakshagana Ballet performance which was appreciated by the whole audience. Convener Dinesh Shetty was recognized and felicitated during the programme.

All the sponsors, media representatives and well wishers were invited on to the stage and honoured.

The entire programme which was ably presented by comperes Arati Adiga and invitee from India Yogesh Nirjaan was appreciated by the whole audience.