UAE: Dhwani Prathisthana's Silver Jubileee Celebrations Showcases Grandeur with Kannada Sahitya Sammelan
by Shodhan Prasad
Pics by Ashok Belman- Gulf Kannadiga
Daijiworld Media Network - UAE (SB)
UAE, Apr 24: Dhwani Prathistana UAE concluded their silver jubilee of existence with Kannada Sahitya Sammelan at the nicely decorated Aadhikavi Pampa Maha Mantap, Dubai Gems Pvt School Campus on Friday April 23 in a grand manner.
Around 8.30 am all the members of Dhwani arrived and enthusiastically assembled to receive the guests. Satish Poojary and Padmaraj arranged for the morning breakfast at the venue. A rangoli competition was held and conducted by Sarala Ramprasad. Books Exhibition arranged by Gopinath Rao titled ‘Grantha Sambrama’ and assisted by Ganesh Kulal and friends was also put up. This was inaugurated by veteran Jayaram Somayaji.
Later a grand welcoming was accorded with arrangements done by Shridhar Lade and friends including Nalini Somayaji with traditional kalasha and pancha vadhya ghoshana. Madhusudhan welcomed the audience followed by prayer song by Sangeeta, Sonu, Sarala and Yashoda. Ananth took over the stage by welcoming the guests on to the stage.
It was nice to see so many guests who arrived from India for the day long programme, including Dr Chennaveera Kanavi who presided over the day’s programme. The event was inaugurated by Dr B R Shetty. Other guests on the stage included Zafarulla Khan of Zain International, Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri, primary and secondary education minister, government of Karnataka, Capt Ganesh Karnik, vice-president of NRI Cell, government of Karnataka, Vishveshwar Bhat, editor, Vijaya Karnataka, Kannada daily, Jayant Kaikini, lyricist, National Award winner and actress Tara Venugopal, singer Shashidhar Khote, Venkataraju and writer Jaraganahalli Shivshanker.
President of Dhwani Prathisthana, Prakash Rao Payyar welcomed the guests and felicitated the guests on the stage with flower bouquets. This was followed by speeches by the guests.
Dr B R Shetty in his speech praised Payyar for carrying on the Kannada activities for the past 25 years. Even minister Kageri praised the Kannadigas in UAE and other parts of the world who have really saved the language and said UAE Kannadigas contribution to Karnataka is really commendable. He thanked the audience for showing so much of love to their state and country.
MLC M Srinivas was called upon on the stage and felicitated with flowers. Capt Karnik also praised the members of Dhwani for conducting such a beautiful programme. He shared his views on Kannada Sammelana and advised that more and more of such sammelanas will keep our tradition alive. He explained about the developments of NRI cell and its forth coming programmes and invited all NRIs of Karnataka to attend the programme as scheduled.
A book written by Shrinath titled ‘Kannada Sahitya Lokada Diggajaru’ was released. Later Zafrulla Khan spoke few words and told that we NRIs know the importance of our home land because we are far from that and that we are contributing maximum from our hearts to make our nation proud.
Chief Guest Dr Chennaveera Kanavi said that such sammelanas need to be encouraged.
Soon there was a felicitation programme and those who received this honour were Zafarulla Khan, Shekar Shetty of Arab Udupi Group, James Mendonsa, Sarvotham Shetty, Ashok Shetty, Udaya Kumar Kateel and Jayaram Somayaji. They were felicitated by the chief guests on the stage with flower, fruits, shawl and Mysore head gear (peta).
As part of the entertainment programme, a folksong was beautifully rendered by Gautham, Rajesh, Virendra, Prathvi, Sarala, Sangeeta, Sonia and Yashoda.
Dr Shetty was felicitated by the chief guests and guest of honour with flower, fruits, Shawl, memento and headgear. This was followed by cultural programme called ‘Nrutya Vybhava’ which included various dances rendered by members of various Karnataka organizations in UAE. It was indeed feast for the eyes to see little children dancing in classical, semi-classical and folk forms. The one dance inviting Lord Rama got a good round of applause.
Proceeding to the afternoon sumptuous lunch was arranged by Satish Poojary.
Afternoon was ‘Sahitya Goshti’ presided by Jayant Kaikini and participated by Jaraganahalli Shivshankar on poetry, Actress Tara on films, Shashidar Khote on Music, Venkataraju on theatre, Abhilasha on literature and Kanaka Raju on small stories. The next session was on the media topic presided by Vishveshwara Bhat and participated by Herman Lewis of Radio Spice, Manohar Tonse and Arshad Hussain. Participants were handed over the token of remembrance. All the participants spoke and covered the topics brilliantly which was welcomed and applauded.
Followed was a folk dance called ‘Malle banthu male’ beautifully presented by little girls. Shashidhar Khote and troupe gave a memorable presentation of light music and singing starting with ‘Kodagina Koli Nungithu’. He was felicitated along with the accompanied musicians by the chief guest and Sarvotham Shetty. A half an hour brilliant presentation with dance and narration by Kannada Koota members was appreciated by all.
Later was Hanigavana Kavigoshti presided by Jaraganahalli Shivshanker and participated by Prakash Rao Payyar, Eeranna Moolimane, Gopinath Rao and Irshad Moodubidri.
At a feliciatation function, Jayant Kaikini for literature, Vishveshwar Bhat for media, Shashidhar Khote on music and actress Tara for fims were onoured. Kageri, Jaraganahalli Shivshaner, Venkataraju, Elias, Kanakaraju and Abhilasha too were felicitated with shawl, flower and memento. Winners of rangoli Competitions were also awarded. All the sponsors, media, Sound Prasad Rai, Ganesh Rai, Navin Sequeira and other supporters were called upon on the stage and presented with a token of appreciation.
Later recognition of latest Karnataka Nataka Academy Award conferred to Dhwani’s president Prakash Rao Payyar was remembered which was dedicated to all the Kannadigas in UAE by the president.
Witnessed by an unexpected large numbers of audience the day long programme ended with vote of thanks by Payyar.
Ananth, Manohar Tonse, Sampath Shetty and Gopika Mayya have smoothly hosted the programme without any hiccups till the end.