THE two-day Kannada Cultural Convention 2008 got off to a colourful start yesterday at Gulf Cinema with music and dance performances and a poetry session among the highlights.
The day’s programme began with a welcome song by Karnataka Sangha members. Milan Arun, Priyanka, Arun Kumar, Akshatha Shetty, Vijaya Shetty, Arvind Patil, Hassan, Janaki Rai, Arun and Anil Boloor were among the singers. The song was composed by Patil.
Convention committee president K P Manjunath Sagar gave an introductory speech. Rajya Sabha (upper house of parliament) member Prabhakar Kore, Karnataka legislative council member Shivaraj Sajjan, Indian embassy minister Sanjiv Kohli, folklore expert Chandra Shekar Kambara, Karnataka Sangha vice president V S Mannangi, Dubai Karnataka Sangha president C R Shetty and the convention’s honorary president Dr Nagoor spoke.
A souvenir was released on the occasion.
The convention felicitated outstanding personalities. They included Vijaya Karnataka chief editor Vishweshwara Bhat, Kannada film producer, director and actor Madan Patel, Illiyaz (Mangalore Nirmana magazine), Sandhya Keshav Rao (Bharatanatyam), Koppara Annapurna (sahitya), Santosh Kulkarni (background music), Deepa Rao (cultural), Veena Nagaraj, Harish Kanjani, Hassan Chougle, Nilanshu Dey (social workers), Indian Community Benevolent Fund president Dr Mohan Thomas and Indian Cultural Centre president K M Varghese.
A dance performance by Nrityanjali Kalaniketana from Hasana, ballet by Tulu Koota Qatar, Acchu Kannada Deepa dance, fusion dance, Kolata by Karnataka Sangha, Konkani dance by Mangalore Cricket Club (MCC), a poetry session, a flute recital and a comic skit were among the items.
The convention also honoured Tulu Koota Qatar president Ravi Shetty, Karnataka Muslim Cultural Association president Syed Abdul Hye, MCC president Alwyn D’Souza, Kumara Kuntikana (England), Ramesh Majeshwar (Bahrain), and Abu Dhabi Kannada Sangha president Sarvottam Shetty.
Tulu Koota Qatar and MCC ladies throw ball team were also honoured.
Today’s programme at the convention will begin at 2pm. |
