Press Release
Mumbai, Jan 8: Karnataka Sangha is among the oldest literary and cultural bridges between Marathi-speaking people and Kannadigas since its inception in 1933. In the last over seven decades. Karnataka Sangha has been part of the very life of Mumbai. Kannadigas have shared their lives with Maharashtrians in many ways; be it culture, literature or festival celebrations. The Sangha has been conferred with the ‘Rajyotsava Award’ for its meritorious contributions to the society, by the government of Karnataka. The Vishweshwarayya Hall, which it owns and operates, is a very popular theatre hub, where events like the prestigious Kalabharati, Prithvi Theatre Festival etc are hosted.
The Sangha has decided to start the year 2010 on a cinematic note by organizing a Kannada Film Festival, in association with Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy, recently started by Karnataka state government. Karnataka Sangha’s platinum jubilee celebration coincides with the platinum jubilee of Kannada film industry. Hence, both the organizations have come together to celebrate the event by organizing a unique Kannada Film festival titled, ‘Kannada Chalanachitra Habba’. This grand event will be inaugurated on Sunday January10, 2010 at 5.30 pm by the national award winning actor, Prakash Rai (or Prakash Raj, as he is known to the Hindi and other south Indian moviegoers) of ‘Wanted’ fame.
The valedictory function will be attended by the Chief Minister of Karnataka, B S Yeddyurappa. The event will be held at various auditoriums spread across Mumbai and the suburbs. Nearly 30 chosen Kannada films are slated to be screened during the festival. All of them have been handpicked by eminent people at the helm of the academy. Some of the milestone movies that are scheduled to be screened at the festival include classics like ‘Phaniyamma’, ‘Daatu’, ‘Munnudi’ and super hit entertainers like ‘Ekangi’, ‘Nenapirali’ and ‘Milana’. The festival will also include a seminar, which will be held in five parts and will be attended by noted artistes, directors and journalists from Karnataka.
The details of the festival can be collected by calling the Sangha’s office on 022 24377022 or 24379645. The details are also available on the website, http://www.karnatakasanghamumbai.com/invitation.html.
The entry to any of the screenings is free of cost for the cinema lovers. However, passes will have to be collected from the registered office of the Sangha.