Rons Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Mar 15: The newly established office of the Kannadiga Artistes' Council Maharashtra was inaugurated on Saturday, at Victory House in Vakola, Santacruz East. The inauguration ceremony included a Ganahoma and an opening puja conducted under the guidance of Vastu expert Ashok Purohit.

The council's president, Dr Surendra Kumar Hegde, along with his wife Vinodini Hegde and other office bearers, formally inaugurated the office by cutting the ribbon.

The event was attended by vice president Kamalaksha Saraf, senior advisors K K Shetty and Devalkunda Bhaskar Shetty, general secretary Chandrashekhar Bhat, joint secretary Chandravati Devadiga, founding secretary Ramesh Shivapura, internal auditor Jagadish Rai, Vasant Devadiga, N Prithviraj Mundkur, Ashok Sasihitlu, Krishnaraj Shetty, Lakshman Kanchan, women's wing president Tara R Bangera, Juliette Pereira, Sushila Devadiga, and several committee and sub-committee members.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Surendra Kumar Hegde expressed his satisfaction in realizing a long-standing dream of establishing a dedicated office for the council. "Since assuming office, I envisioned a permanent space for the council. Alongside the promotion of art and artists, it was also essential to create a welfare fund for financially struggling artistes. While it is easy to work for personal gains, serving society and supporting the underprivileged requires dedication and a generous mindset," he remarked.

He extended his gratitude to all committee members and philanthropists in Mumbai who contributed to making the new office a reality.

The office bearers expressed their aspirations for the future, hoping that the newly inaugurated office would soon evolve into a small auditorium and eventually grow into a grand cultural center for Kannadiga artistes outside Karnataka.