Its November month and as Karnataka Rajyotsava Celebration is on the way all over Karnataka the UAE Kannadigas are not left behind when proud Kannadigas residing in UAE join together in celebrating ‘Rajyotsava’ in their own style. There are very many Kannadigas here in UAE who contribute their precious time towards promoting Kannada language, be it literature, art, folk, drama, poetry or singing they proudly join hands and participate during the cultural activities and celebrations. One amongst them is Sai Mallika who is fondly praised for her soulful melodious singing by all Kannadigas in UAE. She is the ‘Nightingale’ of Kannadigas in UAE.

Sai Mallika hailing from Mangaloreand residing in Dubaiis born to father Jayaram Rao aretired PWD Inspector and mother Prafulla Rao a retired Health Supervisor and since both the parents were in governmental duties who were prone to frequent job transfers, Sai Mallika’s course of education spread through various towns of Karnataka throughout her career. She attained her Masters in Arts from Mysore University though her graduation was from Mangalore University and primary/secondary from Kota, Saligrama, and Barkur& Mandya respectively.

At the tender age of 3 years she had already grasped Bharatanatyam, Vocal & Harmonium music from her multi-talented father and started performing Bharatanatyam on the stage. After attaining Senior Grade in Carnatic Music, Vidwath in Bharatanatyam and proficiency in Yakshagana, she got trained under the guidance of well-known Guru Vidwan Madhoor Bala Subramaniam of Udupi. Later she completed Junior & Senior level Vidwan in Bharatanatyam with the training she received from the very famous Vidwan Chandrashekar Navada of Surathkal in Mangalore. She then learnt ‘Badaguthittu’ Yakshagana and attained the perfection of this art through Rajyotsava Awardee the very famous personality in Yakshagana, Margolli Govinda Sherigar.

Initially Sai Mallika got various opportunities to stage her dance and singing performance in Mahila Mandali’s various cultural programmes where her mother was the President during those days. Seeing her performances in various occasions, she was promoted to participate in very many Taluk level & State level competitions conducted by various Youth Wings wherein she was awarded first prizes in many occasions.

During her teenage she enacted in several successful mythological stage shows as Arjuna, Balarama, Kiratha, Subadra and very many characteristics receiving appreciations and honours. She also received innumerable accolades and prizes participating in various competitions during her college days. After her education she served as a teacher in Little Rock Indian School in Brahamavar whereinother than her normal academic teachings, she started encouraging students into dance and music. Her training thus providedopportunities and platform to her students in various public performances. She herself also participated in inter college music and dance competition and received honours. Further her performances in Rotaract, Rotary, Lions Club programmes, gained her tremendous fame.

In the year 2000 she competed in ‘Miss Millennium Award’ competition conducted by the Rotary Club Conference wherein she won the award with highest score. Soon she married Narendra in the year 2002 and had to land up in Dubai accompanying her hubby.

Initially with the opportunities she actively participated in her own Community gatherings in Dubai and entertained rendering melodious songs which was very well appreciated by her Community members.With the encouragement developed within shethen spread her talent in various other organizational functions and events. Her talent gave her huge popularity among resident Kannadigas and many Kannada Organizations like Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, Dubai Karnataka Sangha, UAE Tulukoota, Margadeepa Sanskratika Samithi, Rama Kshatriya Sangha, Kannadigaru Dubai, and Dwani Prathistana invited and gave her opportunity to sing on their stage programmes. This was a quick honour and encouragement for her inborn talent just in a short spam of her Dubai tenure.

Currently Sai Mallika serves in Bizz Group International Company as Finance Officer and without hesitating even promoted art and culture in her working organization. She is blessed with a talented son Manish Kumar who being a multi-talented mother’s child is already getting opportunities to stage in several events in Dubai. On the whole journey her loving husband Narendra is her staunch supporter and a strong promoter. There is a common saying that behind every successful man there is a women but in Sai Mallika’s life one can say that her hubby isthe man behind her success story, here in Dubai.

Let us wish her continued success in her future endeavors in promoting Art & Culture wherever she resides.