Pics: Umesh Marpalli 

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS) 

Udupi, Jul 8: “By the end of November this year, Kannada Sangha is completing its dream project of Kannada Bhavana in Bahrain. The Sangha was set up in 1977 in a small way. The Sangha slowly grew to be a major expatriate social and cultural organization in Bahrain. Through the years, the Sangha has put in efforts to protect the Kannada language, art and culture by organizing memorable events, charity drives, entertainment activities, social gatherings and humanitarian efforts. This year we are celebrating 42 years of the establishment of the organization,” Pradeep Shetty, president of Kannada Sangha Bahrain, said. 

Pradeep was speaking at the press club in the city on Monday, July 8. 

He further said, “We are proud that the Karnataka State Government honoured the Sangha with ‘State award’ in 2002. This stands testimony to the role of the Sangha in propagating the Kannada language and its culture in a foreign country. We have amateur artists’ Yakshagana team and we have conducting stage shows since 37 years.” 

“Last year, former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda laid foundation stone for the building. During 2009, the state government, led by former CM Yeddyurappa sanctioned Rs 1 crore for the project in the first phase. The present government also announced Rs 2 crore of funds through Kannada and Sanskrit department, but so far we have not received the amount. It took a long time to get permit for starting the project. About 60% of construction work is over now,” said Pradeep giving details of the project.

Pradeep further elaborated about the project and said, “This is a four-storey building. By November of this year, the work will be completed. The total cost of the project is Rs 12 crore. Kannadigas from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar have extended financial help. This is the first Kannada Bhavana, which is happening with the support of Karnataka government.” 

As many as 35,000 Kannadigas stay in Bahrain, of which 60% belong to the coastal belt. 

Austin Santhosh, building construction committee, D Ramesh, vice-president and Sushakar Shetty, chairman, fund raising committee were present on the occasion. 

Dream project - Kannada Bhavana, Kannada Sangha 

Bahrain is not just a club. It is a community centre; a cultural arena; a home - a little Karnataka. For the last, almost four decades the Sangha has provided solace to thousands of Kannadigas. They could come every day, spend time engaging in their hobbies and with friends. With the increasing number of Kannadigas on the island, the need for more facilities and the Sangha building aging, members felt an urgent need for a new building to house the Sangha and hence was born our dream project - Kannada Bhavana. 

The project, a first-of-its-kind, will be a cultural and research centre for all Kannadigas of Bahrain and also of entire Gulf. 

Facilities 

The project will house a multi-purpose hall, classrooms for imparting training and tuition, offices, a gym, a full-fledged library, indoor sports facilities, a café lounge and meeting rooms with a view to making it a self-sustainable complex. This will also have some commercial space to rent out. There is ground plus three floors in the building, which hopes to meet the aspirations of the large Kannada community on the island. 

Kannada - Community - Culture established with the motto "Sangha Jeevanave Sukha Jeevana (A life of togetherness is a happy life)" Kannada Sangha Bahrain is today a home away from home for Kannadigas in the kingdom. Step into the corridors of the Sangha, the warmth is perceptible. The scent of sandalwood, the culture of Kannada permeates every heart here. Sangha helps members and their family, especially the younger ones, stays in touch with the essence of our heritage, giving them a sense of belonging and a life of oneness in a foreign land. It helps keep the cultural flame alive within each of its members while contributing its mite to the Bahrain community. 

History 

A stroll down memory lane fills every member of Kannada Sangha with pride. The Sangha's history is one which every visitor, every member reminisces. Its achievements make more than 20,000 Kannadigas on the island and the entire 55 million Kannadigas, the world over proud. 

The Sangha has invited and honoured some of the giants in the fields of literature, theatre, film, art and politics. They all have fond memories of Bahrain - the Pearl of Gulf - and the Sangha.