Doha: The Karnataka Sangha Qatar (KSQ) hosted Nudinamana, a solemn and poignant gathering to pay homage to renowned Kannada poet Dr. H.S. Venkatesha Murthy (HSV), and to honour the lives lost in recent national and international tragedies. Held at the Mumbai Hall of the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC), the event reflected a blend of literary reverence and human solidarity.
The ceremony commenced with floral tributes to HSV’s portrait, followed by a minute of silence observed in memory of those who died in the Air India accident in Ahmedabad, the stampede at the RCB victory celebration in Bengaluru, and the bus accident in Kenya.
Ravi Shetty, President of KSQ, welcomed the audience with a heartfelt address. Citing HSV’s poetry, he urged everyone to uphold the values of humanity, empathy, and resilience that the poet embodied. He also underlined the unpredictable nature of life, calling on the community to foster a collective spirit of compassion and purpose.
Former KSQ President H.K. Madhu delivered the Nudinamana address, offering a deeply personal reflection on HSV’s contributions to Kannada literature. He recalled HSV’s visit to Qatar and his acceptance of the Qatar Kannada Samman Award, sharing anecdotes that captured the poet’s humility, depth, and cultural impact.
The emotional resonance of the evening was elevated by Geetha Namana, a musical tribute featuring HSV’s songs rendered by Anil Bhasagi, Jayashree Shridhar, Amith Shetty, Soumya KT (Cultural Secretary, KSQ), and Navaneeth Shridhar. These renditions brought to life HSV’s poetic brilliance, weaving a lyrical tapestry that honoured both the man and the moment.
The programme was well-organised, with General Secretary Kumarswamy opening the session and Treasurer Pradeep anchoring the proceedings. Membership Coordinator Sridhar Chandra delivered the vote of thanks, acknowledging the efforts of volunteers, members, and guests.
The evening saw strong participation from Karnataka-origin associations and community leaders, including Mahesh Gowda (Advisory Chairman, KSQ), Arun Kumar, Dr. Sanjay Kudari, H.K. Madhu (KSQ Advisors), Milan Arun (Former ICC President), Sandeep Reddy (ICC MC Member), Sandesh Anand (Tulukoota Qatar President), Naveen Shetty (Bunts Qatar President), Aparna Sharath (Billawas Qatar President), and Asmath Ali (Community Leader). Their presence signified solidarity and shared grief, reinforcing the event’s theme of unity and reflection.
