Event summary

To celebrate 62nd anniversary of Indian Independence, Kannada Sangha had organized a musical evening on Sunday, 16th Of August 2009. This entertaining musical evening ‘SuMadhura SaNje’ by Smt. Manjula Gururaj was held at Singapore Polytechnic Auditorium. This being the new committee’s first major cultural event, all the members were geared up to make this a mega event and were quite successful at that with ever willing support from the previous committee members, volunteers and Singapore Kannadigas.

The program started off at 5.30 pm with a Prarthana (Invocation) by Kum. Deeksha Bhat, followed by the welcome speech by Dr. V. Kumar, President, Kannada Sangha. Smt. Vinitha Suresha introduced the guest artist of the evening Smt. Manjula Gururaj to the audience and Smt. Rashmi UdayKumar accompanied the guest onto the dais.

The cultural event started off with Kannada Sangha’s ladies choir trained by Smt. Bhagya Murthy, accompanying Smt. Manjula Gururaj in singing hacchEvu kannaDada deepa…., And from there on it was Smt. Manjula Gururaj with her melodious, enchanting voice which held sway our the entire audience for the nearly 4 hours.

It was a privilege for Singapore Kannadigas, Smt. Vinutha Bhat, Shri. Shrikant & Shri. Suhas to share the stage along with the guest artist for singing some of the songs.

joteyali jote joteyali, iruvenu heegE eMdU……

was by far the most popular of the evening with the audience calling for it once more.

If this song and the fastest film song composed in Kannada gil gil gili gilakku, kAlu gejje jhanak, kaiya baLe jhanak, raMgedditO.. ... literally brought the audience to their feet (but had to restrained themselves to clapping to the tune of the music), songs like naguva nayana madhura mauna, miDiva hRudaya ide maatEke.... & omme ninnannu kaNtuMba kaaNuvaase elliruve... song by Kum.Seema Rao) bought back nostalgic memories.

Tribute was also paid to living legends Smt. Lata mangeshkar and Smt. Asha Boshle by rendering a song, sung by them.

The film song event was signed off with the artist’s signature song oLage sEridare guMDu, huDugi AguvaLu gaMDu.....

This melodious musical evening came to an end with jaya Baarata jananiya tanujAte, jaya hE karnATaka mAtE.... - when Kannada Sangha’s Ladies Choir, other Singers rendered this “Naada Geethae” while all the audience stood up as a mark of respect.

Kannada Sangha’s President Dr. V. Kumar also took the opportunity to call upon all the new Committee members on to the dais and introduced them to the Kannadigas.Smt. Rajeshwari ably compered the whole program.Prof. A.N. Rao, founder president of Kannada Sangha facilitated the guest artist Smt. Manjula Gururaj and presented with a token of appreciation. A lucky draw was held, with the guest artist picking up three winners for the prize sponsored by Singapore Health Pte ltd. Shri Ramadas B.K., Vice-President, Kannada Sangha, presented the vote of thanks. The programme ended at about 9:30 PM a fulfilling moment for organizers, singers and the lovely audience, who were more than 300 in number.

This event was sponsored by Singapore Health Services Pte Ltd., Spice of India, AIMS Education, Haldhi Restaurant and Divine Park, Saligrama / Singapore. Kannada Sangha thanks all its sponsors’.

We hope you, your family & friends enjoyed the programme. If you have attended the programme, we would like to have your feedback on what you felt - either accolades or critic. We heartily welcome your feedback & suggestions. We will try our best to implement as many suggestions as possible.