Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha on its 35th anniversary celebrated 60th Karnataka Rajyotsava at Indian Social Centre, Abu Dhabi on Friday the 6th November, 2015 witnessed by Kannadigas who came in large numbers.

President of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha, Sarvotham Shetty welcomed the audience while Grand Patron of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha, Padmashree Dr. B.R. Shetty, Dr. Chandrakumari B.R. Shetty, along with Indian Ambassador to UAE, H.E. T.P. Seetharam, The day long programme was inaugurated by Dr. D. Veerendra Hegde, President of India Social Centre, Ramesh Panicker, Vice President Dr. Raja Balakrishna, General Secretary, M.A. Saleem, Arab Udupi's Shekar Shetty, Hyssna's Ronald Pinto & Leo Rodrigues lighted the auspicious lamp and opened up the programme.

Later Divya Sharma & Group rendered prayer song and Supriya Kiran Rai presented childrens welcome dance. Followed by 'guruvandana' dance by disciples of Vidhushi Rohini Ananth. Abu Dhabi Brahmanara Sangha & Konkan Pearls presented group song each while Rohini Ananth's desciples presneted 'Bheesu Kamsale" dance. Later under the direction of Veena Mallya, lively "Onake Obbavva' dance drama was presented beautifully. Under Vidhushi Sapna Kiran's direction Children's Group Dance titled "Gudda Kaadu Janara Nritya' was well presented and appreciated.

Well known humorous Speaker, Sandhya Shenoy who came as a special invitee from Udupi presented a super duper laughter speech which won the hearts of all the audience. She was later honoured with the title 'Maatina Malli' by Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha Members.

'Dr. Da Ra Bendre Award' to Mohd. Irshad Moodabidri

Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha from many years have been identifying and honouring those Kannadigas who are promoting the Kannada language, literature & culture in this part of the world. This year the award was presented to the well known Kannada Poet Literate Mohd. Irshad Moodabidri by Chief Guest Dr. D. Veerendra Hegde in the presence of Dr. B.R. Shetty and Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha Committee Members.

Poet, Writer & Literate Mohd. Irshad Moodabidri accepted the award and in return rendered few lines of his poetry, thanking for the award.

Creative Artiste B.K. Ganesh Rai honoured by Dr. D. Veerendra Hege

Creative Artiste, former President of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, B.K. Ganesh Rai who for years kept on serving various Karnataka organisations in UAE with his wonderful creations of logos, stage decors, invitation templates, felicitation certificates, souvenirs, colourful flexi boards, write ups for media and news was honoured by Dr. D. Veerendra Hegde with shawl witnessed by the whole audience.

Padmashree Dr. B.R. Shetty honoured

Patron Dr. B.R. Shetty who have been supporting and attending to all Karnataka Organisations in UAE for a quite long time was honoured by Dr. D. Veerendra Hegde for his service towards Kannada.

Leaders of various Associations in UAE honoured

Satish Venkataramana President of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, Sadan Das, President of Kannada Koota Dubai, Harish Sherigar, President of Devadiga Sangha Dubai, Jayanth Shetty of UAE Tulu Koota, Leo Rodrigues, President of KCO Abu Dhabi, Mohd. Ali Uchil, President of Bearys Cultural Forum, Abu Dhabi, Prakash Rao Payyar, President of Dhwani Prathistana, Satish Poojary, President of Billawas Dubai & N.E., Prabhakar Ambalthare, President of Margha Deepa Dubai, Rudhayya Navali Hiremat, President of Basava Samiti, Dr. D.P. Shivakumar of JSS International School, Dubai, Gopinath of Kannada Dwani, Dinesh Shetty of Yakshamithraru, Deepak Somashekar of Gulf Kannadiga Movies, Sugandhraj Bekal of Rama Kshatriya Sangha, Shodhan Prasad, Producer of Tulu Movies & Nama Tuluveru UAE representative and Actress Dixitha Acharya were all honoured on the stage with shawl by Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha.

Later media representatives, Sonu Bantwal, Canute, Ismail Shimoga, Ashok Belman, Rafiq Kolpe, Prashant Nair, Ramesh Suvarna, Vijaya Kumar Shetty, Vinay Naik, Sudhakar Thumbe, Arshad Hussain were all honoured with shawl.

Dr. Harsha Kumar Rai's "Ashthagana Vaibhava" bhajan CD sung by Puttur Narasimha Naik and group which is planned to be released in eight nations under support of Mithrampadi Jayaram Rai was later released by Dr. B.R. Shetty.

Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha Ladies Throw Ball Team was later honoured on the stage.

Followed was felicitations to children who excelled in their education with top marks and Hamdan Awards were all invited to the stage and felicitated with honours by Dr. B.R. Shetty & Chandrakumari Shetty, presented by Ravindra Rai of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha.

Well known Master of Ceremony Avinash Kamath who arrived all the way from Udupi and who creatively conducted the entire programme was honoured by Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha with shawl and momento.

Children's Folk Dance Competition - Winners Team 'Kithoor Rani Chennamma'

Every year Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha conduct 'Children's Folk Dance Competition' and this year there were five groups from different parts of UAE who actively participated with their colourful presentation judged by Sapna Kiran, Divya Sharma & Bhavani Shanker Sharma. The groups were Mayura Varma, Madakari Nayaka, Onake Obavva, Kitoor Rani Chennamma & Rani Abakka and all of them presented a vibrant dance which was appreciated by the audience with huge applause.

The winners were declared as follows:-

First - "Kithoor Rani Chennamma" Group choreographed by Asha Nair
Second - "Onake Obavva" Group choreographed by Veena Mallya
Third - "Madakari Nayaka" Group choreographed by Supriya Kiran Rai

Later well known Saxophone player Machendranth Mangaladevi & his daughter desciple Sindhu Bhairavi along with accompanist presented Saxophone music in a vibrant manner which was applauded by the audience.

The programme got concluded with Lucky Dip draw, Prize Distribution and Vote of Thanks.

Overall under the leadership of President Sarvotham Shetty and their able Committee Members a memorable programme was presented.