On the occasion of 64th Karnataka Rajyotsava day celebration by Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha, well known writer journalist Manohar Thonse will be conferred with the prestigious ‘Dr. Da Ra Bendre’ Award for his contribution towards literature & journalism.

Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha will be celebrating Karnataka Rajyotsava Day on 1st of November, 2019 from 10.30 pm onwards in India Social Centre Auditorium, Abu Dhabi.

Manohar Thonse’s footsteps

Hailing from a coastal town of Thonse, Manohar had his early education in Badanidiyoor Gandhi School and later completed his post-graduation in M.A. Kannada Literature, M.Com. C.I.A. America & C.S.S.A America and currently serving for Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank as Vice President & Senior Manager in the bank’s Main Office in Abu Dhabi.

His various write-ups were published in Kannada Monthly Magazines like ‘Pathra Pushpa’, ‘Mogaveera’ which were published from Mumbai and also in ‘Mungaru’ monthly magazine published from Mangalore during the period 1987-1988.

During his earlier tenure in Abu Dhabi, he used to send interview reports & articles to well-known daily newspapers like ‘Udayavani’ & ‘Karnataka Malla’ and also to magazines like ‘Roopatara’, ‘Akshaya’ who were publishing the same and were recognized.

In the year 1996 he was active member of India Social Centre, Abu Dhabi and was an editor for the Centre’s English News Letter. He also contributed in the Centre’s Literary & Art divisions for 3 years tenure and was also a treasurer of the Centre in the year 2003.

He was also the Chief Editor of ‘Chandana’ newspaper of Dubai Karnataka Sangha. He also had reviewed some of the short stories viz., ‘Thare Yenisi Motha Heli’, ‘Kannada Naadu Nudi Rakshane Yake Mathu Hege’ by Prakash Rao Payyar and also ‘Kanti Sara Mathu Ithara Kathegalu’ published by Ranjini Suresh.

Manohar also serves as a Director of Education in Jnana Mandaara Academy, Bangalore.

He is also an active Member in the Working Committee of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha and well known for his able compeering during the programmes of the Sangha every year in pure Kannada.

He is the main stalwart of ‘Abu Dhabi Billawa Sangha’ being one of the founder member and Chief Convener since 1994. The sangha under his able leadership is heading for a silver jubilee celebration this year in Abu Dhabi.

Some of the Awards & Recognitions bestowed on Manohar Thonse:

• ‘Suvarna Kannadia 2006’ conferred by Kashi Vishweshwara Trust & Jnana Mandara Organisation
• ‘Indira Priyadarshini’ Award by India Intl. Friendship Society, Mumbai
• ‘Suvarna Ratna 2007’ Award by Spoorthi Charitable Trust, Bangalore
• ‘Vishwa Manya Kannadiga’ Award by Karnataka Sangha Mumbai
• ‘Gulf Banker 2011’ Award by Hridayavahini
• ‘Vishwa Manya Kannadiga 2019’ Award by Hridayavahini & Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha
• And very many accolades and appreciations he has received from various organisations

Manohar Thonse resides in Abu Dhabi with his wife Poornima and has 2 beautiful daughters, Maithri & Mukthika who are continuing with their higher education’s simultaneously.

For his major contribution towards Kannada language, Literature & Journalism, Manohar is being identified and will be honoured with ‘Dr. Da Ra Bendra’ Prestigious Award during the Karnataka Rajyotsava Day celebration in Abu Dhabi in midst of Kannadigas during the ceremony.