Report: Shodhan Prasad
Pics: Vijay Kumar Shetty
Dubai, Feb 20: The 17th World Kannada Cultural Convention's second event took place at Fortune Plaza Hotel in Ghusais, Dubai, on February 18. The initial part of the event was recently held in Saudi Arabia.
Presented jointly by Hridaya Vahini Mangaluru and Sandhya Creations Event Network Team (SCENT) Dubai, the event featured over 32 artistes from Karnataka showcasing various folk songs, Kannada songs, and folk dances with live background music by master musicians. Shodhan Prasad of SCENT provided local support and invited the guests, marking the third such event by Hridaya Vahini supported by SCENT in Dubai.
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Chief guests included businessman Lt Gen Dr Devid Frank Fernandes, president of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha, Sarvotham Shetty, Shodhan Prasad of SCENT, K P Manjunath Sagar of Hridaya Vahini Mangaluru, former vice president ISCC Abu Dhabi, Mithrampadi Jayaram Rai, president of Eden Global School, Ashraf Shah Manthoor, president Basava Samiti, Mallikarjuna Gowda, journalist V4 Media, Vijaya Kumar Shetty, and international folk singer and MC Go Na Swamy. They inaugurated the program by lighting the auspicious lamp.
Shodhan Prasad welcomed the guests, artistes, and audience, while K K Manjunath Sagar briefed on the programme and artistes, highlighting their continuous efforts in promoting Karnataka art and culture globally. They announced plans for similar programs in Canada and the United States of America.
All chief guests commended the organizers for promoting Karnataka folklore worldwide, emphasizing the need to support such initiatives and recognize them with special awards. They urged for more frequent shows in different parts of the world. Chief guests were honored with shawls, garlands, and mementos.
Mithrampadi Jayaram Rai, Yonus Zakiya Bhatkal, Go Na Swamy, T V Babu, Muhammed Asif Kundapura, Iftiak Hassan Rukbudin, K Nagaraj and Dr K N Nagesh were specially identified for their social support activities in various fields were felicitated with shawls, Mysore peta, garland, medal, certificates and mementos.
The following artistes delivered remarkable performances, captivating the audience with their exceptional talents:
From the Karnataka Janapadha Kalavidra Okoota, Bengaluru, under the leadership of K Nagaraj:
• Folk singers: Nagesh K N, Sidharajayya, B R Shivakumar, Uma Y G, Hanumantha Shivappa Master, Arun Kumar, Holla Salayya M C, Krishnappa Mathikandi, Kalayya Mahesh Kumar and Kumar Shivanna.
• Dollu Kunitha: Shivanna K, Govindaraju, Prasanna K, Abhilash N and Vasu K
• Pooja Kunitha: Hanumantha Naik, Parashurama Naik and Ramakrishna Naik
• Janapada Nriyta: Avinash N, Manjunath R, Kavitha T, Meghna S R and Prithvi K N
• Vadya Sangeetha: Maruthi Basappa Doddamani, Pranesh Kumar, Nagesh N G and Balapu M
All artistes were invited onto the stage and honoured with shawls, Mysore Peta, garlands, medals, certificates, and mementos.
MC Go Na Swamy concluded the programme with a vote of thanks, extending invitations to all guests and media representatives to join them on stage and receive mementos.