Media Release
Dubai, Jul 29: The 55th International cultural fest & cultural exchange programme, organised by the International Cultural Fest Council of India in association with Sandhya Creations Event Network Team (SCENT), concluded successfully on Sunday, July 26th, at the Grand Excelsior Hotel Banquet Hall, Bur Dubai.
The prestigious cultural gathering witnessed the participation of prominent Karnataka community leaders, distinguished awardees, renowned artistes from India, and talented UAE-based performers, making it a memorable celebration of Indian culture, literature, music, theatre and social harmony.
The programme commenced with a warm welcome by Er K P Manjunath Sagar, chairman of the World Kannada Cultural Convention Committee 2004 and editor/director of Hrudayavahini News. He highlighted the importance of preserving Indian cultural heritage across the globe. Shodhan Prasad Attavar, founder of Sandhya Creations Event Network Team (SCENT), welcomed the gathering and introduced the master of ceremonies, Nithin Kumar, who conducted the event with great enthusiasm and professionalism.
The dignitaries inaugurated the programme with the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp. The esteemed guests included Shri Maheshwara Swamiji of Nandipura, Sarvothama Shetty, president of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha, M Jayaram Rai, former president of the Indian Social & Cultural Centre, Abu Dhabi, Shashidar Nagarajappa, president of Karnataka Sangha Dubai, Arun Kumar, president of Kannada Koota Dubai, N T Thammanna, secretary of Narasimhagiri Education Institution, Sridevi R V Nayak, social worker from Raichur who presided over the function, Dr E Anjaneya, entrepreneur and social worker, Dr Satish Kumar Hosamani, director, SSK Department of Education, Government of Karnataka, Dr Kikkeri Krishnamurthy, president of K S Narasimhaswamy Trust, Government of Karnataka, along with Shodhan Prasad Attavar representing SCENT Dubai.
Among the distinguished invitees from the UAE were Sandhya Prasad (SCENT), Ashok Bailur (actor and SCENT Member), Sugandraj Bekal of Marghadeepa Samskruthika Samiti UAE, Mallikarjuna Gowda representing Karnataka Sangha Dubai and Veerashaiva Lingayat Samaja Dubai, Alwyn Pinto of Mangalore Konkans, Harish & Meena Kodi of Kodagu Dakshina Kannada Gowda Samaja, Satish Ullal of Billavas Family Dubai, Sandeep Kotian President of Biruver Kudla UAE. besides several other community leaders who were warmly welcomed and honored during the programme.
A major highlight of the evening was the presentation of the prestigious Golden Iconic Awards, recognising outstanding contributions in the fields of medicine, literature, education, theatre, music and social service. The recipients were:
• Dr P V Pattar – Herbal medicine & homeopathy
• Dr Satish Kumar Hosamani – Literature & education
• N T Thammanna – Education & social service
• V K M Thimmayya (Bengaluru) – Theatre
• Vijayalakshmi Vasudeva – Music
• Sampath Kumar – Theatre
• Lakshman Suvarna – Music
• Dr Gouramma Kalaburgi – Education & social service
• Maruthi Badiger – Social Service
Adding international significance to the programme was the presence of Abdullah Al Jafali, the celebrated Emirati television, comedy and theatre actor with over three decades of artistic experience and an eminent member of the Dubai Al Ahli Theatre. Having witnessed the entire programme, he was invited on stage and honoured with a special memento. To the delight of the audience, he greeted everyone with a heartfelt "Namaskara" in Kannada. He later joined the dignitaries in presenting awards and mementoes to the awardees, guests, community leaders and artistes.
The cultural presentations reflected the richness and diversity of Karnataka's artistic traditions. Acclaimed comedy and mimicry artiste Kogali Kotresh Kudligi enthralled the audience with his remarkable mimicry, beatboxing and astonishing imitation of percussion instruments, earning thunderous applause.
This was followed by an elegant Bharatanatyam recital by Dr Aishwarya Srinivas of Abu Dhabi. Her graceful performance, filled with expressive abhinaya, rhythm and devotion, captivated the audience throughout her presentation.
Veteran theatre artistes of VKM Kalavidaru, Bengaluru, presented the Kannada social drama "Saakshi Kallu", featuring V K M Thimmayya, Sampath Kumar, Manjunath, Nagarathna and Mala. The powerful performance conveyed an inspiring social message and received wide appreciation.
One of the unique attractions of the evening was a Multilingual Poets' Meet, presided over by Irshad Moodabidri. Poets representing different linguistic traditions of Karnataka recited their original compositions, beautifully demonstrating the literary richness of the state. Participants included:
• Shashidar Nagarajappa – Kannada
• Lancy Noronha – Tulu & Kannada (with a delightful touch of humor)
• Dr Satish Kumar Hosamani – Kannada
• Yashoda Bhat – Kannada
• Sannu Monis – Konkani (with Kannada translation)
• Irshad Moodabidri – concluding the session with a moving poetic narration.
The grand finale featured a soulful musical presentation of Kannada Bhavageethe and evergreen film melodies rendered by Dr Kikkeri Krishnamurthy, Vijayalakshmi Vasudeva, Lakshman Suvarna, Shodhan Prasad and Nithin Kumar, bringing the audience to a memorable conclusion.
The entire programme was skilfully anchored by Nithin Kumar of Dubai, whose energetic and engaging presentation earned him special appreciation and a commemorative memento.
Overall, the 55th International cultural fest & cultural exchange programme stood out as a unique celebration of Karnataka's rich cultural heritage, bringing together literature, poetry, music, dance, theatre, comedy and social service on one platform. The programme beautifully reflected the spirit of cultural unity, artistic excellence and international friendship, leaving the audience with unforgettable memories and reinforcing Dubai's reputation as a vibrant centre for Indian cultural activities.