Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network—Kenya (RD/CN)
Nairobi, Nov 25: Under the joint aegis of the local Kannada Cultural Association and Mangalore-based Kannada monthly journal ‘Hradayavahini’, the 56th Kannada Rajyotsav and 4th International Cultural Extravaganza was held at Nairobi recently. Karnataka legislative council member D S Veerayya inaugurated the programme.
Speaking on the occasion, he said that the Karnataka state administration has implemented several welfare programmes for non-resident Kannadigas and urged them to take advantage of it.
Kannada Sahitya Parishat honorary secretary Sangamesh Badavadagi, in his chief guest’s address, said that the harmonious living of Kannadigas in Kenya set an example for others to follow. He also offered to send Kannada books worth Rs 50,000 to the Kannada Cultural Association, under the project of Kannada Sahitya Parishat.
World Kannada Cultural Convention Committee president M K P Manjunat Sagar, in his introductory address, said, “The venue depicts Kannada culture. It needs many months of planning and organizing to conduct such a programme in a distant land. Hradayavahini, has been organizing International Cultural Extravaganza in the countries that have many expatriate Kannadigas, with the objective of creating awareness about the glorious Karnataka culture and Kannada among the new generation.”
Uttar Kannada district Kannada Sahitya Parishat president Rohidas Nayak said that he had attended several programmes organized by Kannada associations in many countries and the programme that was organized in Kenya is a unique one.
Rama Mogaveer Kundapur, president, Kannada Cultural Association, Nairobi, honoured Karnataka dignitaries Shivanand Hondadakeri, K V Shankarappa, Rajendra Kumar, Dr Nagoor Bijapur, and Elias on the occasion. The members of the association staged various cultural programmes while the artistes of Masti Natya Kala Academy presented a dance recital of mythological episode ‘Dashavatara’ that was directed by Vidwan Kolar Ramesh. Vidushi Sharada Manishekar staged a ‘Bharatanatyam’ performance that mesmerized the viewers.
Association secretary Sanjay Bhat, founder president Ashok Reddy, C N Rao, hotelier Ashok Bhandary, Arvind, Balaji, Rama Balaji, Oliver, Rajesh, and others contributed to the success of the programme. Association secretary Sarita Srinivas proposed the vote of thanks.