Kuwait Kannada Koota, a socio-cultural Association for the people of Karnataka in Kuwait, conducted its annual program Daasotsava - Bhakthi Bhava Sangama recently. This program was in remembrance of the state’s saints who contributed immensely to the religious and cultural landscape of Karnataka. The program was conducted through a virtual platform amid the continued restrictions on gatherings due to Covid-19 pandemic.
The program kick-started with a grand spectacle wherein the PR Committee members led by Smt. Gayatri K. Bhat and Smt. Sujatha Ramachandran welcomed the audience. This was followed by a warm welcome address to cultural programs by Dr. Preeti P. Shetty and Smt. Gayathri Shashikiran, convenor and co-convenor of Koota’s cultural committee. A heartwarming invocation recital by Smt. Vasantha Ashok and Kum. Vaishnavi Ashok followed. Lighting of the traditional lamp is an important Indian tradition to start a program. The lamp was lit by the 2022 executive committee, comprising of President Shri Chinmaya K, Vice President Shri Uday B. Vernekar, General Secretary Shri Suresh S. Rao Neramballi and Treasurer Shri Kariappa N.S., accompanied by their better halves. During his address to the gathering, the president highlighted saints' and Dasas' contribution to Karnataka culture. He stressed on the need to remember them due to their influence in starting the bhakti movement. President also underlined the efforts made by various committees to organize this virtual program under difficult circumstances.
Cultural programs kick started with an interesting and novel way of introducing the cultural committee members. Fancy dress competition on mythological and historic personalities by Koota kids was the key attraction of the program. It comprised kids of all age groups, starting from infants to elder ones. Eminent personalities from the state who excelled in various fields like culture, dance, arts, and journalism, Vidushi Smt. Sumangala Ratnakar Rao, Shri Pradeep Bekal, Vidushi Jnana Aithal, Smt. Rekha Sudesh Rao, Smt. Premalatha Diwakar, Vidushi Sowmya Sudhindra Rao, Shri Vaman Rao Bekal and Dr. Laxmi G. Prasad contributed to this competition’s panel of judges. 2021 executive committee was felicitated by the current committee for their contribution in efficiently managing Koota affairs. Navashakti Vaibhava, a colorful dance drama by the Koota children followed and it stole the show.
Felicitation of association children who successfully completed 10th and 12th followed. This was followed by the release of Koota magazine “Marala Mallige", by the convenor Shri Kiran Renukaradhya and team, comprising of informative articles, drawings, poems, competitions, etc., entirely contributed by the association members and children. Secretary of Kuwait Kannada Koota Welfare Association (KKKWA), Shri Prashantha Shetty briefed about associations’ philanthropic activities related to the adoption of schools in rural Karnataka benefiting around 1800 children.
Competition for members followed wherein Koota ladies showcased their talent in a fancy dress competition by displaying the celebration of the state’s festivals and men showed how good they were by wearing costumes of some of the well-known historical personalities. The audience was treated to a melodious Bhajan program performed by the Koota’s ladies from Abuhalifa and Salmiya areas. This was followed by a soulful bhajan recital by Koota men. The executive committee gave away prizes to kids who won various stage competitions held earlier.
A vote of thanks was proposed by Suresh S. Rao Neramballi, secretary of Koota. He thanked all the committee members, all members, Judges and sponsors who contributed to this program.