Kamalaksha Amin
Bahrain, Dec 18: The state award-winning Kannada Sangha in Bahrain celebrated its annual cultural program, "Kannada Vaibhava," at the Kannada Bhavan hall. The event showcased various cultural programs that promoted Kannada Nadu, highlighting the greatness of the Kannada land, language, and eminent personalities from the region.
S Ganesh Rao, founder president of Karavali Group of Educational Institutions and G R Medical College, Mangaluru, inaugurated the event. MLA of Sirsi, Bheemanna Naik, attended as the chief guest, and Ravi Shankar Gowda, a popular actor in the Kannada film industry, was the guest of honor.
The program commenced with the lighting of the inaugural lamp by Amarnath Rai, the president of the Kannada Sangha, along with S Ganesh Rao, other guests, and the governing body's office bearers. The audience paid their respects during the singing of the state anthem. Dr Sumana Ranjalkar from the renowned Sankarshana Nrutya Academy, Bengaluru, led various classical dance performances that captivated the audience for about an hour.
S Ganesh Rao, Bhimanna Naik, Ravishanker Gowda, and Dr. Sumana Ranjalkar were felicitated with traditional shawls, turbans, garlands, and flowers. The guests expressed deep appreciation for the Kannadigas' dedication to their language and the authentic cultural programs despite being miles away from their homeland. They commended the love and respect of the Kannadigas in Bahrain for Kannada language, culture, and art, considering it an example for all.
Amarnath Rai, the association's president, extended good wishes and discussed upcoming projects, emphasizing the essential cooperation of all members. The annual commemorative issue of the Kannada Sangha, "Kaveri," was unveiled and released by MLA Bhimanna Naik. The Kaveri Editorial Committee members, Sreekrishna Bhat, D Ramesh, Kiran Upadhyay, and Purnima Jagadish, along with Kamalaksha Amin for media cooperation and volunteers Sandhya Pai, Satish Malpe, and Pushparaj Pujari, were honored with mementos. Social worker Venkatesh Hegade Hosabale received a special memento.
Ravishankar Gowda, at the insistence of fans, delighted the audience with his melodious singing of Kannada film songs praising the greatness of Kannada. The program featured various dance performances and skits by talented artists of the association, enhancing the overall program. The association's vice president, Mahesh Kumar, was present on the stage. The general secretary, Ram Prasad Ammenadka, welcomed the attendees, presented the program schedule, and proposed a vote of thanks. Deepak Rao Pejavara and Hema Sivanand Patil efficiently compered the entire programme.