BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE

Nrupatunga Kannada Koota (NKK) celebrated Kannada Rajyotsava this November 20th at the Hindu temple of Atlanta in Riverdale. Kannada Rajyotsava marks the day when all the Kannada speaking regions of south India were merged to form the state of Karnataka on November 1st 1956.

The festivities began with a prayer and the American national anthem. Members of NKK joined together to present an array of programs such as folk dances, group performances, skits, dramas, songs and also a ladies fashion show providing entertainment to kids to adults alike. Colorfully clad performers singing and dancing to Kannada tunes, some patriotic, some super-hits, some classics took the audience on a nostalgic tour down memory lane. 

One of the highlights of the evening, included the scholarship presentation to deserving students. Nrupathunga Kannada Koota has established a scholarship in the name of “Shankari Narasimhaiya Muteri Foundation scholarship ” by Dr. Annapurna and Dr. Subrahmanya Bhat. The scholarship, amount of $4000, is presented annually to graduating high school seniors during Rajyothsava day. This year the award was handed out by Dr and Mrs. Bhat along with Dr. Annapurna's mother to two recipients, Prajwal Kadoor of Lilburn, GA and Kavya Muddukumar of Milton, GA. An annual report was presented to the members by President of NKK, Pradeep Vittalmurthy. The program concluded with a vote of thanks by NKK secretary, Vasudev Bhat and the Indian national anthem. Food was served to over three hundred attendees.

Nrupatunga Kannada Koota also offers Kannada classes at 3 different locations in Atlanta. This year Dasara Aaradhane offered Carnatic music compositions by famous composers performed by local artists. You may look up www.atlantakannada.org for mire information.

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