Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha, the premier organization of all Kannadigas residing in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. is all set for the grand Karnataka Rajyotsava Celebration 2014 to be held on Friday the 7th November 2014 at the India Social and Cultural Centre Abu Dhabi.
Folk Dances of Karnataka will be the main attraction, said Karnataka Rajyostava Prashasti recipient Mr. Sarvotham Shetty , speaking to media.
The program commences at 10:30am and will be attended by many important dignitaries. H E TP Seetharam, Indian Ambassador to UAE will be the Chief Guest and the occasion will be presided over by – Dr (Mrs) & Dr. B R Shetty, Patron of UAE Kannadigas.
Mr. Sarvotham Shetty further said, “during this year’s celebrations, importance will be given to our traditional folk dances and we will encourage our children to participate in large numbers. A special team of 24 young girl’s troupe from Bangalore will be flown to perform on this special day. These young students will perform 8 varieties of folk dances and a dance drama titled “PUNYAKOTI” by the young students of VENKAT GROUP OF INSTITUTIONS viz. St. Ann’s School, Venkat International School and Venus International School, Bangalore. The folk dances will be choreographed by Ms. Nagalaxmi K Rao.
In addition there will be Dance dramas by Rohini Ananth Group & Sapna Kiran Group which promise to mesmerize the audience and songs by members of the Karnataka Sangha
DA. RA. BENDRE AWARD
Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha has instituted a distinguished award in the name of ‘Vara Kavi’ Da Ra Bendre. This is a coveted annual award and is conferred on persons who have contributed towards development of Kannada culture, language, sahitya and heritage in the middle east. The award is conferred during the Rajyotsava Celebrations organized by the Sangha every year.
The organizing committee, announced that this year’s Da Ra Bendre Award will be presented to Mr. Prakash Rao Payyar, President of Dhwani Prathistana, UAE. Mr. Prakash Rao Payyar is instrumental in developing Kannada language through the staging various Kannada dramas in U.A.E. last several years. Some of the most difficult dramas of Girish Karnad has been staged in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Recently ‘ Iti Ninna Amruta ‘ written by Girish Kaikini was also staged successfully in Dubai.
Previously, he has been awarded the prestigious Karnataka State Nataka Academy Award for the year 2009-2010. The Karnataka Nataka Academy has conferred this award in recognition of his contributions to Kannada Theatre activities on foreign soil.
Prakash Rao Payyar was also honored with the “Karnataka Chetana” award by the Ranga Samaja Cultural Association, Bangalore in 2004 and “Jnana Saraswati Award” from Jnana Mandara Academy, Bangalore in 2005. He was honored with “Nobel Man” award in All India Kannada Cultural Convention held in Goa in May 2007. Rashtra Kavi Dr. Shivarudrappa honoured him on the occasion of World Kannada Culture Convention held in Kuwait in the year 2007. 2009 Mayura Award presented to him from Karnataka Sangha Sharjah.
Another Kannada personality from Karnataka, Mangalore who will be attending the Karnataka Rajyotsava 2014, is Kannada daily Udayavani ‘s, Mangalore bureau-chief senior journalist Mr. Manohar Prasad. A great orator and recipient of coveted “ Karki Venkataramana Shastry Soori Award – 2014 “ initiated by the Mumbai-based Havyaka Welfare Trust ® a reputed social welfare organization.
Manohar Prasad is well known in journalism world with over four-decades of experience in journalism in undivided Dakshina Kannada district. He bagged the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award in 2005 and has been felicitated by over 500 social welfare and voluntary organizations so far. The Shastry Award was presented to him for his contribution to Kannada literature in nine years ago.
Honoring Kannada Stundents:
Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha will also honor those students who have achieved 90% and above in 10th & 12th and excelled during last academic year. Also to be honored are those who have excelled in the field of sports (CBSE national level) during the year 2013-2014 including the winners of Shaikh Hamdan Award and Sharjah Award.
Sarvotham Shetty requested that the parents of all winners in the above register their children names for the felicitation. He said that they may get in touch with him through his email ID: sarvo@eim.ae
The magnificent celebrations will be sponsored mainly by The Vivansaa Group of Companies, Pune & Bangalore.
Around 2000 Kannadigas from all over UAE are expected to attend the grand Rajyostava celebrations
Sarvotham Shetty also announced to the media that the Koosamma Shambu Shetty Memorial Throw Ball Tournament will be held on 23rd January 2015 which will be a Silver Jubilee of KSSM Tournament. A large number of men and women Throwball teams are expected from India and Gulf countries to participate in this Silver Jubilee tournament along with local teams.
The Press release stated that the following organizing committee members may be contacted for further details on the Karnataka Rajyotsava Celebrations and lunch coupons:
Sarvotham Shetty : 050-6125 464
Manohar Thonse : 050-5212 079
Yogish Prabhu : 050-6613 735
Sudhir Shetty : 050-7916 782
Ravindra Rai : 050-6176 149
Syed Siraj Ahmed : 050-6221 809
Pradip Kirodian : 050-4953 432
Bennett D’Mello : 050-6429 616
Loyola Pinto : 050-8189 788
Umesh Rao :055-7566 385
Praveen Rao : 050-7214 115
Melwyn Fernandes : 055-4057569
Vijay Rao : 055-5528 307
Altaf M S : 050-5683 776
Bhavani Sharma: 050-8106078
