Abu Dhabi: Versatile Ex-President of Sharjah Karnataka Sangha, B.K. Ganesh Rai has been unanimously chosen for the “Da. Ra. Bendre Award” by Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha and will be felicitated during the Karnataka Rajyotsava Ceremony scheduled to be held on November 4 at India Social Centre Auditorium, Abu Dhabi. Ganesh Rai has been chosen for his contributions to Kannada language, Literature, Art, Folk and Social Service both globally and India. Recipient of the ‘Global Man Award 2015’ last year he was the only one from UAE to be honoured with the award at 12th Vishwa Kannada Samskruthi Sammelana and 13th anniversary of Sharjah Karnataka Sangha Celebrations held on 19th & 20th of November, 2015 at Al Boom Tourist Village, Sharjah, UAE.
Straight from Coorg (Mercara) or the so called ‘Madikeri’ as it was also called ‘Scotland of India’ by the British who occupied the area for over 100 years, Ganesh Rai was born to Thulasiamma and Krishnappa Rai who themselves sound ‘Krishna Tulasi’ close to the Lords. The enchanting fragrance of coffee, the aroma of fresh cardamom, Black pepper, the everlasting taste of pure Coorg honey, the flowing of holy river Cauvery, the noticeably cool fresh air, the beautiful scenic of hilly terrain, with its austere beauty, this god gifted, pollution free, calm and quiet land of mountains, the wooded slopes, eccentric villages, colourful scenery, rugged landscape, endless mountain ranges, ridge after ridge of slopes laden with forests rising to the sky, gives Madikeri its unique and irreplaceable character. And this special land Madikeri has gifted to the world this unique personality called, Ganesh Rai who always keep saying “Elladaruiruyenthadaruiru, yendendhigu nee kannadavaagiru”.
Rai a B.Com., graduate of Government College, Madikeri, a Fine Art Diploma holder of Chamarajendra Academy of Visual Arts, an Art Master Certificate holder from Kalanikethan School of Arts, Mysuru and Mahalasa School of Arts, Mangaluru is very well supported by his charming wife Manjula Rai, beautiful daughter Aishwarya Rai & handsome son Monish Rai.
As there is one India, one Lata Mangeshkar, one Amitabh Bachhan and one Jakannachaari, you will find only one Ganesh Rai. You will see that all the qualities of these great personalities of different fields are in one person. It is indeed nice to have this great person who raises out of limitation of colour, caste, creed, religion and language barriers. Be it a request for art, stage setting, designing, printing, executing brochures, logos, invitations, souvenirs, sculpture, decorating stage from any corner of people, any corner of UAE, at any point of time, you will find only one person who smilingly creates and executes in spite of his busy schedule. He is the Professor of Art, B. K. Ganesh Rai himself.
Awards galore since 1974:
Ganesh Rai was bestowed with the following chain of awards in his career from earlier days till date:
Award Honoring – India at 1st Honor – Govt. Junior College Madikeri 1974 at Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa unveiling ceremony of Sculptured Art work Main Gate GJC Madikeri
Karnataka State Best Teacher Award – 1993 by Karnataka Teachers Benefit Fund Bangalore
Karnataka Rajyotsava District Award – 1987 by Hon R. Gundu Rao – Chief Minister of Karnataka
Gold Medal – 1987 at Lakshadeepotsava Dharmastala by Dr. Veerendra Heggade
State Level Honouring – 1993 – at Gokrananatheshwara Temple Mangaluru, Sri SriSri Pejavara Matadipati, Dr. Shivaram Karanth
Shilpa Kala Rathna Award – 1983 at Karnataka Electricity Board – Madikeri, by K.A.Somanna – State Commissioner Bharat Scouts – Karnataka
Kala Praveena Award – 1984 Ganapathy Utasava Samiti Gandhi Nagara Virajpet by Sri SriSri Shanthamalla Swamiji – Arameri Mata
Kala Kirana Award – 1990 at Angala Parameshwari Temple Virajpet, by M. K. Poovaiah, President Town Muncipal Council Virajpet
Honouring – 100 years Kranataka Police Celebration 1984 by P.S. Ramanujam D.I.G Mysore
Honouring Lalitha Kala Academy, Bangalore – by P. R. Thippeswamy, President Lalitha Kala Academy Bangalore
Honouring Madikeri Dasara – Navaratri Festival by M.C.Nanaiah – Hon Law Minister Karnataka
HonouringSarva Dharma Sammelana – Arameri Matt, by Shiva Kumara Swamiji Siddaganga Matt Tumkur and Shantha Malla Swamiji Kalncheri Arameri Matt
Honouring Madikeri Dasara Utasav Temples by Kanchi Kaamkshi Temple, Kote Mariyamma Temple
Honouring Kodagu Bunts Association 1993 at Rotary Hall Madikeri
Honouring Vishwa Bunts Convention – 1993 at Art Exhibition – Chitra Kala Parishat Bangalore by Dr. Shivarama Karanth and Hon Jeevaraj Alva Minister of Kannada & Culture Karnataka
Awards bestowed in U.A.E.
Was honoured with ‘Mayura Award’ by Sharjah Karnataka Sangha in 2009
‘Prathiba Puraskar Award’ at Vishwa Kannada Cultural Convention Karnataka Sangha Dubai – in 2009
Honoured at Nama Tuluveru ‘Tuluvere Parba 2012’
Honoured at Kuvempu Utsava 2012 at Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha
Honoured at UAE Bunts Satyanarayana Pooja by Dr. B.R. Shetty in 2015
Honoured at UAE Tulukoota Silver Jubilee Celebration in 2015
Honoured at Devadigas Dubai Celebration in 2015
Honoured at Ramakshatriya Sangha in 2015
Honoured by Dr. D.Veerendra Heggade at Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sanga Rajyotsava Celebration 2015
