Abu Dhabi: On the occasion of the 64th Karnataka Rajyotsava, the Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha awarded well-known journalist Manohar Thonse with the prestigious ‘Dr. Da Ra Bendre’ award for his contribution to literature and journalism in a ceremony held at the India Social Centre Auditorium, on Friday, November 1.
Manohar Thonse’s footsteps
Hailing from the coastal town of Thonse, Manohar had his early education in Badanidiyoor Gandhi School and later completed his post-graduation in M.A. Kannada Literature, M.Com. C.I.A. America & C.S.S.A America and currently works for Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank as Vice President and Senior Manager in the bank’s main office in Abu Dhabi.
His various write-ups were published in Kannada monthly magazines like ‘Pathra Pushpa’, ‘Mogaveera’ (which was published from Mumbai), and ‘Mungaru’ (monthly magazine published from Mangaluru) over the period 1987-88.
During his earlier tenure in Abu Dhabi, he used to send interview reports and articles to well-known daily newspapers like ‘Udayavani’, ‘Karnataka Malla’, and also to magazines like ‘Roopatara’, and ‘Akshaya’.
In the year 1996, he was an active member of the India Social Centre, Abu Dhabi and was an editor for the Centre’s english newsletter. He also contributed in the Centre’s Literary and Arts division for 3 years and was also a treasurer of the Centre in the year 2003.
Manohar Thonse was the Chief Editor of ‘Chandana’ newspaper of Dubai Karnataka Sangha. He also reviewed some of the short stories such as ‘Thare Yenisi Motha Heli’, ‘Kannada Naadu Nudi Rakshane Yake Mathu Hege’ by Prakash Rao Payyar and ‘Kanti Sara Mathu Ithara Kathegalu’ published by Ranjini Suresh.
Manohar also serves as a Director of Education in Jnana Mandaara Academy, Bangalore.
He is an active Member in the Working Committee of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha and well-known for his able compering during programmes of the Sangha every year in pure Kannada.
He is the main stalwart of ‘Abu Dhabi Billawa Sangha’, being one of the founder member and Chief Convener since 1994. The Sangha, under his able leadership, is heading for a silver jubilee celebration this year in Abu Dhabi.
Some of the Awards and Recognitions bestowed on Manohar Thonse:
- ‘Suvarna Kannadia 2006’ conferred by Kashi Vishweshwara Trust & Jnana Mandara Organisation
- ‘Indira Priyadarshini’ Award by India Intl. Friendship Society, Mumbai
- ‘Suvarna Ratna 2007’ Award by Spoorthi Charitable Trust, Bangalore
- ‘Vishwa Manya Kannadiga’ Award by Karnataka Sangha Mumbai
- ‘Gulf Banker 2011’ Award by Hridayavahini
- ‘Vishwa Manya Kannadiga 2019’ Award by Hridayavahini; Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha
Manohar Thonse resides in Abu Dhabi with his wife Poornima and has 2 beautiful daughters, Maithri and Mukthika.
For his major contribution towards the Kannada language, Manohar was honoured with the ‘Dr. Da Ra Bendra’ award during the Karnataka Rajyotsava Day celebrations in Abu Dhabi, amidst Kannadigas.
