Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha’s ’Rajyotsava 2016’ Celebrated with pride and fervor

By Shodhan Prasad
Pics by Sonu Bantwal

Abu Dhabi, 05 Nov 2016: Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha is one such proud parent association for Kannadigas in UAE which has always kept the mantle of Karnataka high raised in this golden soil conducting Kannada programmes regularly and promoting art, literature and folk of Karnataka with Kannada flavor successfully since so many years. This year’s Rajyotsava Day was grandly celebrated on 4th November, 2016 at the Indian Social & Cultural Centre with much pride gathering a packed house auditorium throughout the day.

 

Presided by Patron of Kannadigas in UAE, Padmashree Dr. B.R. Shetty along with Dr. Chandrakumari B.R. Shetty the celebrations kick started at 10.30 am with Manohar Tonse welcoming the guests and inviting the Chief Guests on to the stage to inaugurate the programme with the traditional lighting the lamp. Also present were Vice President of India Social Centre, Rajan Zacharia, General Secretary John Vegas, President of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha, Sarvotham Shetty & Committee Members. The invitees were honoured with flower bouquets. Soon Divya Sharma & Group rendered the prayer song followed by rich Kannada patriotic song ‘Kannadambeya Mukutuda Manigale’ during which the audience gave a standing ovation with pride spirit.

 

Well known VJ Avinash Kamath of Spandana TV Udupi was specially flown in from India to host the Cultural part of the celebrations. As he was warmly welcomed by the audience, he took over the stage and the audience in his own imitable style into the days programme. He introduced the whole days programme and soon presented a welcome dance ‘Sharanu Sharanu – Swagatha Nruthya’ ably choreographed by the famous Vidushi Rohini Ananth of Dubai.

 

Followed was ‘Shiva Thandava’ choreographed by Vidushi Sapna Kiran which was beautifully presented and appreciated. Next was colourful ‘Karnataka da Uduge Thoduge’ ably directed by Veena Mallya and was loudly applauded. ‘Kamsa Mardhana’ by Vidhwan C.Navda was a hair raising well appreciated performance.

 

“Da Ra Bendre” AWARD PRESENTATION

 

Every year Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha identifies a staunch Kannadiga who indulges and contributes himself greatly towards Kannada literature and art in this part of the world who will be eligible for this honour. This year they unanimously identified and announced the multi-talented versatile Art Director of Kannadigas in UAE, B.K Ganesh Rai who was welcomed on to the stage and bestowed with “Da Ra Bendre Award”.  Ganesh Rai received a respectful felicitation and honour by Padmashree Dr. B.R. Shetty in whose organization he currently serves as a Creative Art Director. He was honoured with Shawal/Mysore Peta/Bouquet/Plaque and Certificate of honour.

 

While President of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha, Sarvotham Shetty announced the award, Manohar Thonse read out Rai’s achievements and the video presentation gave a colourful glory for the award function. In response Rai thanked Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha, the Patron, President and all the Kannadigas for the great honour he received while promising his continuous commitment towards Kannada. He also said that this is the ‘Rajyotsava Award’ for him which he missed to receive few years ago in Karnataka.

 

VARIOUS HONOURS

 

As like every year this year too Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha honoured the Merit Students who were identified with the applications received from those parents of the students who had achieved 90% and above in 10th & 12th Std. and who excelled during the last academic year ‘2015-2016’. Also those who have excelled in the field of sports (CBSE National Level) during the same academic year including the winners of Shaikh Hamdan Award and Sharjah Award were invited on to the stage and honoured. While Ravi Rai/Althaf MS conducted the proceedings, Dr. Chandrakumari B.R. Shetty honoured the students.

 

Soon Sarvotham Shetty took over the stage and blissfully thanked all the Sponsors of the event. He starting inviting the Main Sponsors and honoured them with Shawl and Memento. Other Sponsors were also invited on to the stage and honouring them with Shawls while the audience kept on applauding.

 

 

Vidhwan Chandrashekar Navada was also invited on to the stage and honoured with Shawl and Memento. Delegates from Gandhi Bhavan Bangalore Prof. G.B. Shivaraju, S Narayan Swamy & V.B. Somashekar who had come to Dubai for ‘Gandhi Statue’ unveiling programme were also invited on to the stage and felicitated with Shawl & Memento.

 

At the same time Presidents of various organisations, Representatives of Media and Deepak Somashekara were all invited on to the stage and honoured with shawl.

 

Special honours were for Nruthya Vidushi Rohini Ananth & Sapna Kiran who were felicitated with Shawl and Memento.

 

Like every year Karnataka Throw ball Players were invited on to the stage and honoured with Medals individually.

 

Special invitee Vasu Puthran, Founder President Tulu Sangha, Borivli who is also a former Secretary of Kandivli Kannada Sangha was also invited on to the stage and honoured.

 

Guest MC and Compere VJ Avinash Kamath of Spandana TV was also invited on to the stage and honoured with Memento and Shawl.

 

VJ Avinash took over the stage again for the cultural part of the programme which continued with Instrumental Folk Dance by Vidushi Sapna Kiran.  Followed was ‘Karnataka Navarasollasa’ beautifully presented by Vidushi Rohini Ananth.

 

Sumptuous wide spread buffet lunch was announced and the audience rushed and savored the delicious vegetarian dishes and quickly returned to grasp other cultural programmes lined up aftermath.

 

Afternoon session started with ‘Kolata – Cheluvayya Cheluvoo’ by Mrudhuvani which was well applauded.

 

Later VJ Avinash announced the UAE Level Open to all Group Songs Competition. The rule had minimum 8 singers in any group who will be eligible and that the song selected should be either Kannada Folk, Patriotic or the one chosen from any emotion poetry. The duration should be within a maximum of 7 minutes with 5 minutes maximum time limit allowed for the stage setting before the presentation. Pre-recorded music or Karaoke was totally excluded but musical instruments were allowed. While the group were totally dressed with purely traditional attire, repetition of songs were avoided by pre-registering in advance.

 

Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha UAE Level Group Singing Competition winners

1. Da. Ra. Bendre Team Dubai won 1st place lead by Sangeetha Shetty & Team, Dubai
2. Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sanga Team 1 won 2nd place lead by Prashant Shenoy & Team
3. Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha Team 2 won 3rd place lead by Divya Sharma & Team

 

The competition was ably judged by a panel of judges viz., Sudhakar Pejawar, Mrs. Vijaya Bhat & Raviraj Tantry The winners walked away with Cash Awards and Tropies honoured by Dr. B.R. Shetty.

 

Later Manohar Thonse took over the stage and announced the ‘Hanigavana Vachana’ rendered smoothly by Irshad Moodubidri, Prakash Rao Payyar, Gopinath Rao, Arshad Hussain, Avinash Bhat, Satish Kulal & Arati Ghatikaar.

 

Before the conclusion the participants and the Coordinators/Choreographers were invited on to the stage and honoured with Prizes, the honours of which were ably conducted by Sarvotham Shetty in his own style.

 

Continued with the Raffle draw by Sarvotham Shetty along with Jet Air representative Karthik Ramalingam, Jayaram Rai, Shekar Shetty and all the committee Members presence the programme concluded in the late evening with vote of thanks.

 

Guest VJ Avinash Kamath as a MC conducted the whole programme smoothly and was honoured by Sarvotham Shetty in a big laud applaud.

 

On the whole the vibrant Karnataka Rajyotsava Celebration in Abu Dhabi was conducted with much pride and honour systematically with the hard work of all the Committee Members of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha ably lead by the leader Sarvotham Shetty.