BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE
This September the Kannada Community of Atlanta was brimming with action - rehearsals, planning, food, audio and visual arrangements the works to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Nrupatunga Kannada Koota (NKK), a non profit organization established in 1973 with the intention of providing a common meeting ground to share the joy of festivals and occasions that binds people from Karnataka. All the hard work and collaboration came to life on the 20th of September at the Southern Polytechnic in Marietta.
NKK, along with organizing fun events for folks to get together also prides in community service by making donations to 9/11 and Gujarat relief funds, supporting kids education here by setting up the Shankari Narasimhaiya Muteri Foundation scholarship awarded to deserving students on Rajyotsava day each year and a school in Mysore, India that is set up for poor students and offering financial support to some accident victim families such as Sheshadri Ghante in DC. NKK volunteers also maintain a website and Library of Kannada books. Dr. H.N. Ramaswamy, current President and founder of NKK along with his wife Smt. Indira Ramaswamy, in the words of a senior NKK member, nurture the association with love and passion as their own child. He started NKK in 1973 with a few Kannada people by his side. “It is my joy and pride to work for NKK” he tells us.
The day was packed with classical and modern dances, drama and tableau programs starting with renderence of invocation and American national anthem by kids. The audience was kept occupied between programs with the screening of “Naavu Nadedubanda daari”, a presentation narrating 35 years of history. A delightful Carnatic Music Concert by Kasaravalli sisters Roopa and Deepa was the show stealer. A donation of Rs.50000 was presented to Nrupatunga Kannada School in Mysore, India. A magazine “Chiguru” featuring works from writers in India and the USA was released and handed to members as a memento. The organizers presented awards to all volunteers and Drs. Annapurna and Subrahmanya Bhat, for establishing a $4000 scholarship for a graduating high school senior. Dr. Ramaswamy was honored by NKK members for his exceptional and dedicated service to the community. A puppet show, movie along side the main events entertained the kids. Another parallel event was a seminar on wills, trusts etc. Some commercial booths were set up for people in the mood to shop.
There was plenty of food and drinks for everyone and at all times to go around. Breakfast, Lunch, mid-day snacks and dinner were all part of the grand fare.
The festivities concluded with Indian national anthem. Congratulations to NKK for organizing a well-planned, well- attended and well-received event that had everyone leaving with a smile across their face. Here’s wishing NKK continued success in the years to come.
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