Dubai: For the past 19 years, the Al Ain division has been organizing a variety of programmes to glorify Kannada language, art and culture by bringing together non-resident Kannadigas in the pro-Karnataka organisations operating in the United Arab Emirates.
On Saturday, May 13 a grand ceremony of the association’s anniversary was held in the ballroom of the Blue Radisson Hotel Al Ain from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Fortune Group of Hotels Chairman and Karnataka NRI Committee UAE President Praveen Kumar Shetty and A.J. Group of Schools Chairman Sri Arshad Sharief were present as the chief guest and inaugurated the programme by lighting a lamp in the presence of the Executive Committee of Kannada Sangha.
In the programme, Creative Art Director Shri B. K. Ganesh Rai was honoured with the prestigious “Vishwa Manya Shilpakalaratna” International Award.
He has served as a creative art director in the United States for the past two-and-a-half decades, also served as social worker in various organizations. B. K. Ganesh Rai is also well known for his sculpture, painting, writing programme hosting, organizer of blood donation camps etc. In recognition of his versatility, he was awarded a Cultural Golden Visa by the Cultural Ministry of the Government of Dubai, he is currently residing in Dubai as an NRI.
There are several sculptural works and artworks built by Ganesh Rai in Kodagu district of Karnataka, his birthplace. As a columnist in newspapers, he has printed and published several images of deities and tourist brochures.
Ganesh Rai was honoured with the “Vishwamanya Shilpkalaratna” International Award on behalf of Samastha NRI Kannadigas and Indians, for culturally glorifying the Kannada language for India and gulf countries in Dubai, making and uploading diverse videos in the Kannada language through their own YouTube channel, for doing Kannada service and for being getting Cultural Golden Visa Award of the Government of Dubai.
During the felicitation ceremony chief guests Shri Praveen Kumar Shetty, Shri Arshad Shareef, Head of Kannada Sangha Al Ain Executive Committee, Shri Vimal Kumar, Shri K.B. Ramesh and other members of the committee were present.
After receiving the award, speaking on the occasion, K B Ganesh Rai expressed his gratitude to all those who supported him and encouraged him to make a mark in his art journey and also to the Kannada Sangha Al Ain.
