Mumbai: Platinum Jubilee of Billava Association Celebrated With Fanfare
 
by Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (KD/NR) 
 
Mumbai, Jan 20: The 'Platinum Jubilee Celebration' of the Billava's association was organized at the St Maris Church ground here at Santacruz on Saturday Jan 19.
 
On this grand occasion, its association president Jaya C Suvarna presided as an honorary chief guest. Hampa Nagarajayya was the chief guest. Also present on the occasion were MLA K Jaganth Shetty, Billava association Dubai president Umesh Kukkyan and Meenakshi Shinde.

On this momentous occasion the '2007 Shree Guru Narayana Sahithya Award' was presented to famous writer Dr Vyasarav Ninjoor and the Yakshagana award was given to Ragunath Alva. These awards were given by Dr Hanpa Nagarajayya  and Dr Kamala Hampana respectively. The awardees were introduced by the famous writers K K Hejmadi and Gangdhar Paniyoor.

'Non-stop 75 years service of the association is the greatest gift to society" declared president Jaya C Suvarna in his presidential address. While Dr Kamala Hampana in her speech opined "No body actually forgets art, as it resides within the heart. Many people may not know how to express art, but their life has already been blended with art." Moreover she added "People of Tulu Nadu are broadminded and have accepted art." 

Also on the occasion a book of Sooryodaya Perampalli entitled 'Veeraru' a story on the famous Koti Channaya's life was released by Jaya C Suvarna. Ganesh K Poojary and Sham N  Poojary too were felicitated for their long and tireless service of twenty-five years.
 
At the function K Sanjeev Shetty, association vice president Y Nagesh, Vasudev R Kotyan, L V Ameen, Akshaya A monthly magazine editor M B Kukyan, honorary treasurer, Baskar V Bangeera ladies division secretary Jayanthi V Ullal were present. A cultural programme to entertain the audience was also held to mark the occasion.