Karnataka Sangh Qatar celebrates 71st Karnataka Rajyotsav – “Karnada Vaibhav-2026”

Doha: Karnataka Sangha Qatar (KSQ), which operates under the aegis of the Indian Embassy and as a joint venture of the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC), celebrated the “Karnada Vaibhav-2026” cultural festival as part of its 71st Karnataka Rajyotsava with great enthusiasm at the DPS-MIS hall near Al Vakra.

The programme began with lighting of lamp by the chief guests and dignitaries. Excellency Dr. K. Srikar Reddy, Ambassador of Qatar to the Government of India and MP from Bengaluru Rural Lok Sabha constituency Dr. C. N. Manjunath was the chief guest. Shri Ashwani Kumar, Principal Secretary, Embassy of India and Shri Harish Pandey, Coordinator, ICBF spoke about the importance of the programme. Shri Khalid Al Salem, Director, Music Affairs Centre, Ministry of Qatar, Shri A.P. Manikanthan, Chairman, ICC and Dr. Santosh Hangal and former MLA Moideen Bawa were the honourable guests.

President of Karnataka Sangh Qatar Shri Subramania welcomed the President’s address. Principal Secretary Shri Sujit Kumar presented the Annual Report of the Nosadurga Association. As a special attraction of the programme, KSQ’s annual memoir “SriGandha” comprising articles, poetry, painting and achievements of local talent was released under the leadership of Shri Kishore V. Veteran film actress, former minister and Karnataka Legislative Council Deputy Chairman Smt Umashree was honoured with the prestigious ‘Katar Kannada Samman’. Vice President Anil Bhasagi paid tribute.

Shri Dharmendra Kumar Arenahalli delivered the lecture as part of the cultural programme. Comedy performances by artists Raghavendra (Ragini), Jagappa and Sushmita, vocals by singers Mehboob Saab and Ravansiddha Phulari, narrator Pranita Thimmappa and cultural dance performances by representatives of local children and brothers and organizations of Karnataka They were mesmerized.

Present at the event were Mr. P.N. Baburajan, President of the ICC Advisory Council; Mr. Deepak Shetty, General Secretary of ICBF and former President of KSQ; Mr. Sandeep Sriramareddy, ICC Karnataka Representative; Dr. M. Ravi Shetty, President of the KSQ Advisory Council; and Advisory Council members Mr. Arun Kumar, Mr. V.S. Mannangi, Mr. H.K. Madhu, Dr. Sanjay Kudari, and Mr. Mahesh Gowda.

The success of this event is due to the hard work of the KSQ Executive Committee and the volunteers: Subrahmanya Hebbagilu (President), Anil Bhasagi (Vice President), Sujith Kumar Hosadurga (General Secretary), Manjoth Suresh (Treasurer), Bhavana Naveen (Cultural Secretary), Shashidhar H.B. (Joint Secretary for Cultural and Kannada Activities), L.G. Patil (Sports Secretary), Prashanth Hiremath (Secretary for Media, PR, and Benevolent Affairs), Prabhuraju Jagalooru (Secretary for Events and Logistics), Shubha R. Rao (Secretary for Women’s and Children’s Activities), Dakshayani G. (Joint Sports Secretary), and Guruprasad B.K. (Secretary for Environment and Membership).