By Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (SP)

Mumbai, Oct 13: The seventh All India level Kannada Sahitya Sammelan was organized on Sunday October 10 at the dais named after Rashtrakavi Kuvempu, specially erected at Vishweshwaraiah Hall of Karnataka Sangh, Matunga (west) here. The Sammelan was held under the aegis of Ranga Samaj Cultural Society Bangalore, and Jnanamandara Education and Cultural Academy, Bangalore. The Sammelan had gone under way on the evening of Saturday, through an inaugural function presided over by Karnataka Sangh president, Dr G D Joshi. It was inaugurated by local MLA, K Jagannath Shetty, who participated as the chief guest, by lighting a lamp.

Working president of Sree Devi group of educational institutions, Mangalore, A Sadanand Shetty, Kannada Koota Dubai director, G R Mallikarjun, Veerashaiva Cooperative Bank Mumbai president, M M Kori, ‘Karnataka Malla’ Kannada daily editor, Chandrashekhar Palettady, Bangalore entrepreneur, K S Raju, ‘Jnana Mandara’ honorary president, H R Jayadevappa, entrepreneur, L Shankar K T, and writer, Omdas Kannangar were among the honorary guests of the inaugural.

While Sadanand Shetty unveiled ‘Belagali Jnana Mandara’ CD, L Shnakar K T released ‘Indira Gandhi Distance Education’ handbook. Chandrashekhar Palettady, who delivered keynote address, also unveiled ‘Jnanashree’ souvenir. After the inaugural, variety entertainment programme including ‘Dashavatara’ dance drama and folk dances was presented. On this occasion ‘Jnanashree’, ‘Aralumallige’ and ‘Samajaratna’ awards were handed over.

The Sammelan held on Sunday was presided over by Karnataka Rajyotsav awardee, Dr H V Kotturesh Rastapuramutt. N Timmappa, an advocate from Bangalore, participated as the chief guest. M J Rao, editor of the publication, ‘Suma Saurabha’, social worker, Ratnakar Shetty Morla and others participated as honorary guests.

Poets, B T Giritimme Gowda, S P Ranganath, Prakash S Shetty, R Guruprasad and Padmavati Chandru participated in an interesting poets’ meet held at the beginning. The Sammelan president, guests and other dignitaries, who were brought in a procession accompanied by teams of artistes and variety dancers, were given a rousing reception on their arrival at the venue before the start of the Sammelan.

A souvenir was released at the Sammelan. Dr H V Kotturesh Rastapuramutt and his wife were felicitated.

On this occasion, ‘Samaja Ratna’ titles were conferred on entrepreneur, Narayan Sheena Shetty Moodbidri, journalist, M J Rao, medical practitioner, Dr N T Anchan Padubidri, Kutyaruguttu Chandrahas Adyantaya, Dr H Prabhakar Kankanady, and K Ravindra Shetty Harekal. These dignitaries were also honoured at the Sammelan.

Series of folk dances were presented by the children of Kannadigas settled outside the state and the artistes of television and Ranga Samaj Cultural Society. Variety dance programme was presented by the artistes of Pruthvi Yuvaranga Samskritika Vedike Bangalore. Dr G D Joshi, president of Karnataka Sangh Mumbai, delivered introductory address. R Guruprasad welcomed and presented the programme.