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Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Highlights of KSA 25 Years
a. Introduction p3
b. KSA Formation p4
c. KSA Drama Culture p4-7
d. KSA Platform for Youth p8-13
e. KSA dramas in California p13-14
f. Dr Modi, C Ashwath and others at KSA p15
g. Sandalwood Movies, Actors, Directors at KSA p16-17
h. KSA 1998 Sammelana & AKKA Formation p17-19
i. KSA “Mysore Masala Dosa" at IACRF India Festival p20-21
j. Heralding KSA Banner across USA at AKKA & NAVIKA p21-23
k. “Kavya-Chitra” & Yakshagana p23
l. KSA Annual Picnic p23-24
m. KSA at Discover India by India Association p26
n. KSA at IACRF Charity Walk p26
o. AKKA Charity Show Manoranjini p27
p. KSA presents “Discover Karnataka” p28-29
q. KSA recognition by IACRF p29
3. List of Dignitaries and Artists at KSA p30-31
4. Contributors to KSA25 Journey Report p31
5. First 25 Presidents of KSA p32
6. KSA Boards and Committees to Silver Jubilee p33-34
****************************************************
KSA25- A Journey Down the Memory Lane by Jagdish Sagar, KSA President 2000-2001
In this presentation one will get a glimpse of how Kannada Sangha of Arizona(KSA) is accomplishing its
objectives by bringing together everyone interested in cultural and linguistic heritage of Karnataka(India)
by organizing cultural, literary, educational and other programs of particular interest to Kannadigas,
working together with other cultural associations in Arizona, North America and India, integrating our
youth and other members in various cultural activities and representing the KSA at the State, National
and International organizations involved in the promotion of social and cultural activities. Pictures
include:
KSA hosting dignitaries from around the globe
Heralding of KSA banner across the country
KSA raising funds for the needy
KSA providing a platform for everyone from youth to seniors
KSA working with other cultural associations in Arizona
KSA integrating members in various cultural activities
Notable highlights are listed with corresponding photographs from 1988 through 2013. Also included is
the list of dignitaries who visited KSA. All 25 KSA Presidents are recognized on the last page. We wish the
organization all the best as it looks forward to celebrate Golden Jubilee in the year 2038.
NOTABLE KSA HIGHLIGHTS FROM the PAST 25 YEARS!
1. In 1987, Dr. G.S. Shivarudrappa, esteemed Kannada poet and writer, blessed the idea of forming a Kannada
Association in Arizona. B.S.B. Murthy, Seetha V. Ramaiah and N.V. Shamasundar spearheaded the efforts.
2. Kannada Sangha of Arizona was founded on the Ugadi day on March 18, 1988. The Constitution and by-laws were
developed and a KSA Newsletter “Kannada Vani” in English was started to communicate with the members.
Music Program by Padma Shivaswamy, Shantala, Vijaya Prabhakar - 1988-1989
3. Kannada Sangha was the first Indian organization in the Valley, to extend its support to Indo-American
Foundation of Arizona for building the Community Center in 1988.
4. In August, 1988 KSA organized its first music program: a bhajan and patriotic songs concert by brothers Sri N.
Krishnaswamy and Sri S.N. Subba Rao of Vivekananda Society, Bangalore.
5. Very popular Kannada sugama sangeetha singer Mysore Ananthaswamy visits with his talented children Sunitha
and Raju and presents KSA with an enjoyable and unforgettable music program in August 1988.
Mysore Ananthaswamy & Raju in 1988 KSA Elections in 1989
6. KSA starts drama culture with “Punarjanma” drama in 1988 setting the stage for many more dramas in the
coming years. In 1989 KSA presented a one hour show titled "Through the Pages of Indian History" during the
celebration of India’s Independence Day by India Association of Phoenix. KSA assembled more than 45 people
from most Indian Associations in Phoenix for providing a glimpse of India's history starting from the ‘caveman’ to
Rajiv Gandhi- the then Prime Minister of India. Members of the Indian community applauded the quality of the
KSA presentation. This program established KSA as one of the Premier Indian organizations in Phoenix.
Scenes from “Through the pages of History” show 1989
7. 'Kannada Drama Day' was arranged in 1990 with dramas including T.P. Kailasam's “Bandvalavillada Badai”, and
"Stage Matters" by ladies of the KSA. “Night Beat” an adaptation of Master Hirannaiah’s drama follows in 1992.
The second drama day was held in 1993 with three amazing dramas from the artists in the Valley. One of the
well-recognized Dramas was Master Hirannaiah's 'paschaathapa '. In 1998 KSA presents a well-received mega
drama, “Vichitra Vathara” during Phoenix Sammelana. This was followed by “Sri Krishna Sandhana” at a KSA
function in 1999. During 2002 Ugadi, KSA presents a mega drama “Dashavatara” with more than 50 KSA ladies to
depict the 10 avatars of Shri Vishnu. During 2002 Banquet a modern drama” Kaliyug Ramayana” gets cheers
from the attendees. Scenes from few of the dramas and skits over the 25 years are shown below.
Scenes from “Night Beat”
drama in 1992(left)
“Vichitra Vatara”
drama in 1998 (below)
Few more dramas by KSA:
“Poojari USA (Under Special
Assignment) Deepavali in
1994
“Bangalore to Tirupati Non
Stop” During Ugadi 1995 and
many more…….
All visiting dignitaries and
artists including Dr. S.L
Bhyrappa, Dr. GSS, Prof.
Nissar Ahmed, YK Muddu
Krishna, Ratnamala
Prakash, C. Ashwath and
many others praise the
KSA for its legendary
hospitality!
KEEP IT UP KSA!
Scenes from “Krishna
Sandhana” drama in 1999
(right)
“Dashavatara” drama in
2002 (center)
“Bhagyada Lakshmi
Baramma” Humorous skit
in 2005 (below)
See list of KSA 25 Presidents who
served the organization on the last
page of this report.
Consider leading the organization as
KSA moves towards Golden Jubilee
in 2038!
Participants of “Kaliyug Ramayana” drama 2002 Costumes Of India 2001
Skit “Jeenjata”2005 – Genie trouble! “Premloka” participants 2006
Artists from “Dashavatara with a twist - different forms of art” in 2011
8. During 1991, KSA establishes “Family Emergency Fund” to provide immediate assistance to families in critical
financial situation.
9. KSA invites Karnataka Cultural Association of Southern California to stage a Kannada drama “Date with David” in
November 1991.
10. KSA Presents “Namma Karnataka” show in 1991 in Phoenix, with 35 kids representing the 19 districts of
Karnataka and 16 kids in supporting roles.
Here are some of the pictures from the cultural programs showcasing children and others.
Invocation during KSA program in 1990 Uttara Kannada Dance Deepavali 1992
Asha Gopal trains young children for a KSA and India Association Dance program - 1994
KSA Children group singing at India
Association’s Republic Day Program
January 1994 (left)
Deepavali 1995 program(below left)
Arizona Governor
Jan Brewer with
KSA youth at India
Festival 2010 at
Community Center
KSA Children perform for Deepavali 1995 Children Dance during 1997 Ugadi
KSA Youth perform musical interlude during Deepavali 2000 KSA Youth Prashant on Saxophone in 2000
Fashion
Show during
Ugadi 2001
Food most
important
part of KSA!
(See below)
“Delhiya Maha Murkaru” Skit during Ugadi 2001
2002 KSA Ugadi program
with a dance by young girls
“Swayamvara” skit at
India Association by KSA
youth 2001(below left)
and boys ready to
perform at Ugadi
2003(below)
2004 Ugadi dance program by girls 2005 Ugadi dance program by girls
2005 Boys dance program KSA Youth Group Kannada Camp-2005
“Onake Obavva” Skit by Children during Ugadi 2006
Deepavali 2007 Children costume show
Young boys sing during Deepavali 2009
2011 Deepavali group song 2013 Ugadi Chefs!
11. KSA board develops a logo in 1992. A new logo was developed by KSA Board during the year 2000 and is being
used since then.
12. “Fun Friday” event held during January 1992 raising funds to support the Indo-American Cultural and Religious
Foundation.
13. KSA at the invitation of Karnataka Cultural Association of Southern California presents the mythological drama
“Kacha Devayani” in February 1992 during the Kannada drama festival.
14. 1993 KSA board arranges a naming contest for KSA Newsletter and incidentally settles on the same name
“Kannada Vani” that had been used briefly in 1988
KSA goes to
Los Angeles in 1992!
Mythological drama
“Kacha Devayani”
at the Kannada drama festival by
Karnataka Cultural Association of
Southern California
Jamakandi Madhuvi
by children 2009 (left)
and Ugadi New Year
Children dance
program in 2013
above.
15. KSA participates in Southern California Kannada Natakothsava (Drama Festival) in 1993 and presents the drama
'Avarigu Kashta Bante'. Audience and the critics judge it as the best drama of the evening.
16. Karnataka Cultural Association of Southern California hosted Western Region Kannada Sammelana in April 1996.
KSA artists participated in cultural activities including presenting the drama Master Hirannaiah’s “paschaatapa”
and another drama “Bhoopathi Gandugalu” based on a Master Hirannaiah’s drama.
1993 KSA drama in
California
“Avarigu Kashta
Bante”
Audience and the critics
judge it as the best
drama of the evening!
“Bhoopathi Gandugalu”
in Los Angeles by KSA 1996
KSA is honored by KCASC
Heartfelt “THANK YOU” to all volunteers including KSA Presidents,
Special Event and Project Chairs, Officers, Directors, Members, Sister
Organizations, Attendees, Visiting Dignitaries & Artists and many others
for lending a hand to KSA to successfully reach an important milestone of
“Silver Jubilee”. KSA 1988-2013
17. KSA presents musical concert by Kannada Sugama Sangeetha Singer Sunita Ananthaswamy daughter of the great
singer Mysore Ananthaswamy in June 1994 in Phoenix.
18. KSA felicitates Dr. M. C. Modi, World Famous Ophthalmologist in Phoenix in 1995
19. KSA raises funds for 1995 Los Angeles Earthquake disaster relief holding a South
Indian food festival.
20. Kannada Sangha of Arizona was registered as a Non-Profit Organization in Arizona
in 1995.
21. Dasa Sahitya Scholar Aralumallige Parthasarathy presents a lecture on Dasa Sahitya
in Phoenix in 1995. KSA also gets opportunity to host the scholar in 1997 and 2011
22. Kannada Sangha members enjoy the “Sugam Sangeet” musical concert by C. Ashwath, K.S. Surekha and troupe in
1995. During this concert they also rendered songs from movie “Mysore Mallige” inspired by K.S.
Narasimhaswamy’s poems. During the same year President's National Teachers Awardee M.N. Sitaram Rao,
Education Officer and college Principal addresses KSA members during Deepavali program.
23. KSA for the first time screens a Kannada Movie in 1995. An award winning movie “KOTRESHI KANASU” was
shown and the director Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar was present during the screening. This sets the stage for
screening many more Kannada movies in the coming years by KSA leaders. In 1996 M. S. Satyu film director from
Bombay visits Tempe and releases Kannada Movie GALIGE at ASU. Kannada movie director T.S. Nagabharana,
attends “Nagamandala” movie screening in 1998. M.D. Kowshik Kannada film director gives a talk on Manku
Thimmana Kagga and DVG in 1999 followed by screening of his own production movie. Kannada movie producer
A.S. Balu was present during the screening of his movie Aryabhata in the year 2000. Kannada movie director
Rajendra Singh Babu meets KSA members in 2009 with producer Venkatesh.
KSA Members with movie producers M.D. Kowshik in 1999 and A. S. Balu in 2000
Nagathihalli Chandrashekar, M.S. Satyu, T.S. Nagabharana and Rajendra Singh Babu and their movies.
24. KSA presents in the summer of 1996, for the first time a large group in a live “Sound of Music” program with 11
members including famous playback and light music singer Manjula Gururaj, Mr. Gururaj, Puttur Narasimha
Nayak, Pravin Godkhindi, Mimicry Dayanand and others. Artists Manjula Gururaj, Puttur Narasimha Nayak and
Praveen Godkhindi return to KSA in 1999 and present another musical concert, this time with Manjula Gururaj’s
daughter Sangeetha who is a prolific singer.
25. Indian Consulate General C. R. Balachandra was the chief
guest at the “welcome event for ASU students” in 1996.
26. KSA sets up an adhoc committee in 1996 to conduct a two
day Sammelana in February 1998 in Phoenix. With the help of Dr.
G. S. Shivarudrappa and Mr. Y. K. Muddukrishna, Secretary for
Kannada Cultural Activities, KSA submits to the Chief Minister of
Karnataka Mr. J. H. Patel a formal application seeking Karnataka
Government support. The efforts were successful as the Chief
Minister approves a team of artists for the Sammelana in 1998.
27. KSA presents a Sugama Sangeetha concert by Sri Narayana Rao Mane in September, 1997.
28. KSA conducted a very successful World Kannada Sammelana in 1998. The sammelana was graced by many
dignitaries including famous writer Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa, Dr. G.S. Shivarudrappa, eminent poet and writer, Dr. S.
Rame Gowda, Chairman of the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). Programs were presented by
famous artists Y.K. Muddukrishna, Kannada & Culture Director, Sugama Sangeetha singers Ratnamala Prakash,
Shimoga Subbanna, Malathi Sharma, H.R. Leelavathi, Appagere Thimmaraju, Vocalist Bhagya Murthy from
Singapore, Sumitra, Vimala Rajgopal and the famous L.G. Sisters of Bangalore, Muddu Mohan, B.V. Sreenivas,
N.S. Prasad, N.S. Muralidhar, Bali and many others. More than 800 worldwide Kannadigas attended the event
with participation of Kannada Kootas from Singapore, New York, San Diego, Southern California, Northern
California, San Antonio-Texas, Seattle, Chicago, Florida, North Carolina and others.
Dr. S. L. Bhyrappa
inaugurates 1998
Kannada Sammelana
by lighting a lamp as
Sammelana Chairman
Seetha V. Ramaiah
and KSA President N.V.
Shamasundar observe.
Credit for success of
sammelana goes to
BSB Murthy, Seetha
Ramaiah and HK
Ramchandra (left)
Scenes from 1998
Kannada Sammelana.
Many children and
youth joined the Grand
Canyon tour with artists
and guests from all
over the world
attending the
Sammelana in 1998.
29. Visit to the Grand Canyon arranged for Kannada Sammelana attendees attracted 2 buses full of guests and
artists. It was one of the
most memorable moments
to hear “Jai Bharata
Jananiya Thanujathe,
Jayahe Karnataka
Mathe…”at the Mather
Point of the Grand Canyon
sung by famous artists from
Karnataka.
30. Association of
Kannada Kootas of America
(AKKA) was founded in
February 1998 during the
World Kannada Sammelana
in Phoenix, Arizona. AKKA
has so far successfully organized 7 Kannada sammelanas (conferences) in the continent, the most recent one
was held in Atlanta, Georgia in 2012. NAVIKA (North America Vishwa Kannada Association) was formed in 2009
and the history traces both organizations to KSA’s efforts in 1998.
31. KSA organized a tour of 14 cities for the 1998 Sammelana artists to perform for the various Kootas in USA.
32. Pundit Madhava Gudi, famous Hindustani classical singer performs
in 1998
33. KSA presents Kathak dance recital by Mysore B. Nagaraj and troupe
in 1998
34. Hindustani Classical singer Pandit Vinayak Torvi presents a concert
to Indian Community in 1998
35. KSA working with IACRF raises good funds for both by promoting
“Lakshmikant-Pyarelal” Bollywood Concert.
36. H.D. Devegowda, former Prime Minister of India and Chief Minister
of Karnataka addresses Indo-American community in 1998.
37. Sandalwood actor “Pranayaraja Srinath” presents “Rasamanjari”
program and the famous Udaya TV program “Adarsha Dampatigalu” in
1999. Srinath returns in 2001 to Phoenix and meets with KSA members.
38. KSA presents Carnatic Vocal concert by Sri Vidyabhushana in 1999.
39. KSA working with AKKA present the Legendary Comedy King Master Hirannaiah in Phoenix in 1999
40. KSA gets a Website for the first time in 1999
41. Sri K.N. Srihari, Secretary of Vidya Vardhaka Sangha, Bangalore delivers a talk on Sri G.P. Rajarathnam in 1999.
KSA felicitates Sri S. K. Harihareswara, pioneer Kannada promoter in USA & Rajyotsava Awardee and Sri
Shantharam Somayaji, short story writer in the same year.
42. KSA raises funds and donates towards “Kargil War Relief fund” in India
43. KSA participates in IACRF India Festival in December 1999. The Food booth with Masala Dosa becomes a favorite
with the attendees, resulting in raising good funds for KSA and making it an annual event every year, rain or
shine.
Attorney General Terry Goddard at KSA Food Booth 2010 Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton admires KSA Dosa!
44. C. Ashwath, music composer and singer trains KSA
members to prepare for the mega program “Manuja Matha
Vishwa Patha” to be presented with Kannadigas from all over
USA in the first AKKA World Kannada Conference (WKC) in 2000
in Houston.
45. KSA was well represented in the 1st AKKA World
Millennium Kannada Conference in Houston, Texas hosted by
Kannada Vrinda of Houston in the year 2000. More than 2000
people attended this conference. KSA members presented
“Karnataka Vaibhava” with many children and youth, dance
program “ Navarasa Karnataka” by Asha Gopal, Sandhya and
Kiran Subramaniam and team, and participated in the C. Ashwath’s “ Manuja Matha, Vishwa Patha” with 120
participants from many Kannada Associations in USA. KSA also presented our own talented youth Prashant on
Saxophone. KSA members have been attending and presenting cultural programs heralding KSA Banner all over
USA including AKKA Sammelanas held in Detroit 2002, Orlando 2004, Washington DC 2006, Chicago 2008, New
Jersey 2010, Atlanta 2012, and NAVIKA in California 2010 and Boston 2013
Houston WKC 2000 Detroit WKC 2002
KSA heralding its Banner at AKKA in Houston 2000, Detroit 2002, Orlando 2004, DC 2006, Chicago
2008, New Jersey 2010, Atlanta 2012 and at Navika in Los Angeles 2010 & Boston 2013.
Washington DC 2006 Chicago 2008
New Jersey 2010
KSA members with Sandalwood Stars
Shivaraj Kumar and Jayanthi at Navika
2010 in Los Angeles
46. Eminent Poet Dr. N.S. Lakshminarayan Bhatta was the key note speaker at the 2000 ASU students welcome
event.
47. Shatavadhani R. Ganesh an exponent in the art of Avadhana and B.K.S. Varma a noted painter from Karnataka
present “Kavya-Chitra” programs and Yakshagana artists Mohan Karakar, Krishnamurthy Thunga, Mahabala
Murthy and Sudarshana Urala present the 400 year old art Yakshagana during KSA's Deepavali celebrations in
2000, making it an unforgettable experience for KSA.
48. KSA conducts a mega picnic in 2001 with freshly prepared variety food and many sports and other activities for
all ages, drawing large attendance. The success of the picnic becomes the basis for making it a KSA annual
program that members eagerly look forward to attend. KSA had also organized picnics in 1993 in Tucson and in
Phoenix in 1997.
KSA members with Dr. Chandrashekara
Kambara at AKKA WKC in 2012 in Atlanta
49. KSA raises funds and donates for Gujarat earthquake disaster relief in 2001
50. Dr. G.S. Shivarudrappa an eminent Kannada Poet and Writer addresses KSA members in 2001
51. Mridanga Vidhwan N. G. Ravi, Vocalist Neela
Ramanuja, Dancers Veena Murthy, Sandhya and Kiran
Subramaniam were honored at the ASU Students welcome
event in 2001
52. In 2001 KSA, while sharing the sadness and anxieties of the nation, managed to successfully conduct all its
scheduled events including the screening of 4 Kannada movies.
53. For the first time with major effort, a 104 page KSA Souvenir Magazine named ‘Chitrabhanu’ was released during
the 2002 Ugadi celebrations. The magazine included KSA activities for the years 2000, 2001 and 2002 along with
many articles, photos and members directory.
Dr. G.S. Shivarudrappa (above). Eminent Artists
at right honored by KSA at ASU Students
Welcome!
54. Eminent Kannada poet and writer Prof. Nissar Ahmed visits Phoenix and was a guest of honor and key note
speaker at ASU Students Welcome event in 2002. Noted Hindustani singer Dr. Nagaraj Hawaldar graced the
occasion.
55. KSA working with AZINDIA and FAAA sister organizations presents “Janyam” a Carnatic Vocal Music Concert by
Sangeetha Kalanidhi R. K. Srikantan and Sangeetha Kala Praveena R. S. Ramakanth, a rare father and son concert
in May 2002
56. In 2002 KSA presents B. Jayashree, theater personality, actress and singer along with Kannada Sugama Sangeetha
singers Ratnamala Prakash and Malati Sharma.
57. KSA successfully hosts for the first time, a Holiday Banquet in 2002.
58. KSA participates in the IACRF Health Fair event in November 2003 and serves delicious Upma to fasting
community members. Same year KSA youth, volunteer at Mother Theresa’s shelter.
Prof. Nissar
Ahmed on the
left and Dr.
Havaldar on
the right
59. KSA starts participating in “Discover India” annual program organized by India Association to raise awareness of
India in Arizona from 2004.
60. KSA participates and supports “Annual Charity Walk to Support Local Shelters” organized by Indo-American
Foundation from 2004.
KSA presents an “Indian Wedding Demo” and a
“Karaga Festival” scene at “Discover India” in 2006
and 2009
61. KSA raises funds and donates to the IACRF Tsunami relief fund in 2005.
62. KSA organizes “Manoranjani” a cultural event in 2005 as part of “AKKA Charity” initiative to raise funds to help
educate poor children in Karnataka. Sandalwood actor Ramesh Arvind, TV Host Shylaja Santhosh, Comedian
Sudha Baragur, Playback singers B.R Chaya and
Ram Prasad, and musician Padmapani entertain
the attendees.
63. For the first time KSA organizes “Cruise on Saguaro Lake” in 2006 chartering a special boat. Guests enjoyed
Kannada music and authentic Karnataka cuisine while cruising on the lake.
64. KSA has screened many Kannada movies starting from 1995. One movie that deserves special mention is
“Mungaaru Male” in 2007 which was HOUSEFUL.
65. KSA presents “Kannadave Satya” musical extravaganza
by well-known singer Mr. C. Ashwath and artists
Sunitha & Supriya Acharya in 2008. Oratorian Dr. K. P.
Putturaya graces the occasion with his humorous talk.
66. KSA Youth in 2009 participate in IACRF “India Festival” and raise funds for the
charity “ASHA for Education”.
67. KSA working with AKKA in 2009 presents “Nagokilla
Recession" a fun filled evening with Karnataka comedy
Kings Gangavathi Beechi Pranesh, Richard Lewis and
Mimicry Dayanand.
68. KSA raises funds to help Karnataka flood victims in 2010
69. During November 2010, for the first time Kannada Sangha
presents ‘Discover Karnataka’ event showcasing the State
of Karnataka and its rich cultural heritage including music,
dance, exhibits and food with the support of IACRF, to
raise awareness of Karnataka. BS Chandrasekhar, famous
Indian Cricketer from Karnataka attends as chief guest.
.
More than 1000 from the community attended the day long “Discover Karnataka”
Program in 2010 at the Community Center.
70. KSA in 2011 participates in the Memorial Day community event in Phoenix commemorating those who have
fought for our freedom and lost their lives for the country. During the same year a new program called
“Smarane” was started as a platform to discuss the contributions of scholars, rulers and various other eminent
persons, to Kannada culture and heritage.
71. During 2012 KSA board starts planning for its “Belli Habba” - Silver
Jubilee celebrations of KSA in 2013.
72. During 2013 Indo-American Foundation
celebrating its own Silver Jubilee, recognizes and
honors KSA for outstanding support over the 25
years and agrees to co-sponsor KSA Silver
Jubilee Celebrations in November 2013.
Dignitaries/Artists who have visited KSA during the first 25 years!
1. Dr. G.S. Shivarudrappa - Kannada poet
and writer – 1987, 1998, 2001
2. S. Krishnaswamy & S.N. Subbarao -
Singers- 1988
3. Mysore Ananthaswamy, Raju & Sunita
- Sugama Sangeetha Singers-1988
4. Sunita Ananthaswamy – Kannada
Sugama Sangeetha Singer - 1994
5. Dr. M.C. Modi - World Famous
Ophthalmologist - 1995
6. C. Ashwath - Sugama Sangeetha,
composer & Singer-1995, 2000, 2008
7. K.S. Surekha - Kannada Sugama
Sangeetha singer – 1995
8. Aralumallige Parthasarathy – Dasa
Sahitya Scholar 1995, 1997, 2011
9. M.N. Sitaram Rao- President’s National
Teachers Awardee -1995
10. Nagathihalli Chandrashekar – Cinema
director, actor and lyricist -1995
11. Manjula Gururaj – Kannada cinema
playback singer -1996, 1998
12. Puttur Narasimha Nayak – Kannada
singer, Vocalist – 1996, 1998
13. Mimicry Dayanand – Kannada TV and
cinema actor – 1996, 1998
14. Praveen Godkhindi – Flute maestro
from Karnataka – 1996, 1998
15. M.S. Satyu – Movie director – 1996
16. C.R. Balachandra - Ambassador Indian
consulate in San Francisco – 1996
17. Narayana Rao Mane- Sugama
Sangeetha - 1997
18. Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa – Kannada Novelist -
1998
19. Dr. S. Rame Gowda - Chairman, AICTE
& VC of Karnataka University - 1998.
20. Y.K. Muddukrishna – Kannada Sugama
Sangeetha - 1998
21. Ratnamala Prakash – Kannada
Sugama Sangeetha – 1998,2000,2002
22. Shimoga Subbanna - Kannada
Sugama Sangeetha - 1998
23. Malati Sharma - Kannada Sugama
Sangeetha – 1998,2002
24. H.R. Leelavathi - Kannada Sugama
Sangeetha - 1998
25. Appagere Thimmaraju – Kannada folk
singer - 1998
26. Bhagya Murthy, Singapore – Vocalist
1998
27. Dr. Sumitra, Vimala Rajgopal and L.G.
Sisters of Bangalore - 1998
28. Muddu Mohan, - Kannada Hindustani
classical Music -1998
29. B.V. Sreenivas, N.S. Prasad, N.S.
Muralidhar, Bali - Musicians - 1998
30. Pundit Madhava Gudi - Hindustani
classical singer - 1998
31. Mysore B. Nagaraj and Troupe -
Kathak Dancers - 1998
32. Pandit Vinayak Torvi - Hindustani
Classical singer- 1998
33. H.D. Devegowda – 11th PM of India &
14th CM of Karnataka State – 1998
34. T.S. Nagabharana – Kannada movie
director - 1998
35. Master Hirannaiah – Kannada drama
actor - 1999
36. Srinath – Kannada cinema actor –
1999, 2001
37. Vidyabhushana - Kannada singer,
Vocalist – 1999
38. M.D. Kowshik - Kannada film director -
1999
39. K.N. Srihari - Secretary, Vidya
Vardhaka Sangha, Bangalore - 1999.
40. S.K. Harihareswara – Writer, Pioneer
Kannada Promoter in USA - 1999
41. Shantharam Somayaji – Short Story
Writer - 1999
42. N.S. Lakshminarayan Bhatta –
Kannada Poet – 2000
43. A.S. Balu – Aryabhata Kannada Movie
Producer – 2000
44. Shatavadhani R Ganesh – Art of
Avadhana – 2000
45. B.K.S. Varma – Painter from Karnataka
-2000
46. Yakshagana Artists Mohan Karakar,
Krishnamurthy Thunga, Mahabala
Murthy, Sudarshana Urala - 2000
47. N.G. Ravi – Mridanga Vidhwan - 2001
48. Neela Ramanuja – Vocalist – 2001
49. R.K. Srikantan – Karnataka Vocalist –
2002
50. Nissar Ahmed – Kannada Poet and
writer – 2002
51. Nagaraja Rao Havaldar – Hindustani
Classical Vocalist from Karnataka -
2002
52. B. Jayashree – Theater Personality,
Actress, Singer - 2002
53. Ramesh Aravind - Kannada Cinema
Actor – 2005
54. B.R. Chaya – Playback Singer and
Sugama Sangeetha Singer - 2005
55. Sudha Baragur - Kannada Comedian
2005
56. Shylaja Santhosh – Kannada TV Host –
2005
57. Ram Prasad – Kannada cinema
playback Singer -2005
58. Rajendra Singh Babu – Kannada Movie
Director – 2007
59. Jogi Sunitha - Kannada Sugama
Sangeetha Singer – 2008
60. Supriya Acharya - Kannada Sugama
Sangeetha Singer – 2008
61. K.P. Putturaya – Professor and
Oratorian – 2008
62. Gangavathi Beechi Pranesh, Mimicry
Dayanand & Richard Lewis – Kannada
Comedians 2009
63. B.S. Chandrasekhar – Famous Indian
Cricketer from Karnataka – 2010
*********************************************************************************************
Acknowledgments:
Sincere thanks to the following contributors for the Journey to KSA memory lane:
Achut Kumar, Anand Burji, Ananth and Sharada Rao, Anita and Madhav Rangaswami, Asha and N. Gopal,
B.S.B. Murthy, Girija and Krish Krishnamurthy, Gita and Jagdish Sagar, Kalpana and Kumar Shiralagi,
Kavita Kulkarni, Keshav Murthy, Krishna Shetty, Kumar Javarayappa, Kumara Swamy, Mangala and Rama
Muddaraj, Meera and Ram Krishna, Mysore Suresh, Prakash Joshi, Rama Sharma, Ramesh Arakere,
Roopa Pandarinath, Sandhya Kumar, Seetha Ramaiah, Shamala Chickamenahalli, Shashi Gundurao,
Shruthi Manjunath, Shubada Deshpande, Subbu Konanur, Sudhakar Saraswatipaura, Surendra
Kadegowda, T. L. Mahesh, Uma and HK Ramchandra, Uma and NV Shamasundar, Vijaya Mandyam, Vinay
Kumar and many others.
“A Silver Jubilee is a huge achievement by any standard, a momentous occasion, time to pause and reflect on all the good work done, thank every person who has contributed and
look forward to how very much more needs to be done” – Anonymous
Important Note: All efforts have been made to present the best available information about 25 Years of KSA activities working with KSA Presidents, Board of Directors and KSA members reports and
recollections. Any errors and/or omissions are not intentional. Thank You!
First 25 PRESIDENTS of KSA
We admire and congratulate leaders of Kannada Sangha of Arizona over the last 25 years
N.V. Shamasundar 1988-1989
Seetha V.Ramaiah 1989-1990
Vittal Srimushnam 1990-1991
Uma Shamasundar 1991-1992
Mysore Suresh 1992-1993
Nagaraja Setty 1993-1994
Kumara Shiralagi 1994-1995
Uma Ramchandra 1995-1996
B.S.B. Murthy 1996-1997
N.V. Shamasundar 1997-1998
Shashi Gundurao 1998-1999
Ananth Rao 1999-2000
Jagdish Sagar 2000-2001
Krishna Shetty 2001-2002
Ram Krishna 2002-2003
Achut Kumar 2003-2004
Roopa Pandarinath 2004-2005
Anand Burji 2005-2006
Meera Krishna 2006-2007
T.L. Mahesh 2007-2008
Girija Krishnamurthy 2008-2009
Kumara Swamy 2009-2010
Sharada Rao 2010-2011
Subbu Konanur 2011-2012
Prakash Joshi 2012-2013-SJ Year
1987 KSA Constitution Committee: Seetha V. Ramaiah, Chairman, Drafter of the Constitution Members: N.V. Shamasundar, Shantha Rao and Usha Bhat
1995 KSA Constitution Amendment Committee: H.K. Ramchandra, Chairman Members: H.N. Shivaswamy, Peri Shankar, B.S.B. Murthy, Madeleine Ramaiah and Uma Ramchandra
KSA BOD 1988-1989 1989-1990 1990-1991 1991-1992
President N.V. Shamasundar Seetha V. Ramaiah Vittal Srimushnam Uma Shamasundar
Vice President Seetha V. Ramaiah N.V. Shamasundar Shantha Rao Sudhir Kumar
Secretary B.S.B. Murthy Shashi Gundurao B.S.B. Murthy Ravi Gorur
Treasurer Kowdle Prasad Deepak Nagaraja Deepak Nagaraja Shanker Bhat
Directors Ramesh Arakere Shashi Gundurao Medha Kotwal Anita Rangaswami Kumar Shiralagi (ASU)
Pushpa Gorur Badri Prasad Anita Rangaswami Panna Srimushnam H.S. Prasad(ASU)
Ben Nagaraj Padma Shivaswamy Uma Shamasundar Badri Prasad
B.S.B. Murthy Ben Nagaraj Padma Shivaswamy Mysore Suresh Gopal Srinath(ASU)
KSA BOD 1992-1993 1993-1994 1994-1995 1995-1996
President Mysore Suresh Nagaraja Setty Kumar Shiralagi Uma Ramchandra
Vice President Sudhir Kumar Shashikala Yekanath Jyothi Murthy Ramesh Arakere
Secretary Ravi Gorur Jyothsna Moudgal Ramesh Arakere Srinivas Rao
Treasurer Nagaraja Setty Venkat Narayan K R Vishwanath T. L. Mahesh
Directors Jyothsna Moudgal Shashi Gundurao Lalitha S Murthy Gopal Srinath(ASU)
Keshav Murty Roopa Pandarinath Anita Rangaswami N.V. Shamasundar Mukund Shenoy(ASU)
Richard Fernandes Roopa Pandarinath Gayathri Shankar Shashikala Yekanath Meera Jagannath(ASU)
Madeleine Ramaiah B.L. Ramakrishna Gayathri Shankar Kumar Shiralagi Meera Jagannath(ASU)
KSA BOD 1996-1997 1997-1998 1998 Sammelana Adhoc Committee
1998 Sammelana Final Committee
President B.S.B. Murthy N.V. Shamasundar Seetha V. Ramaiah Gita Sagar R.N. Prabhakar B.S.B. Murthy N.S.Prakash N.V. Shamasundar Formed by 1996-1997 KSA Board
Chairman: Seetha V. Ramaiah Vice Chair: N.S.Prakash Secretary: B.S.B. Murthy Treasurer: H.K. Ramchandra KSA President: N.V. Shamasundar
Vice President R.N. Prabhakar N.S.Prakash
Secretary N.S.Prakash B.S.B. Murthy
Treasurer Ananth Rao Srinivasa Rangan
Directors T. L. Mahesh Mamata Prasad Gita Sagar Padma- Shivaswamy Sharath & Nandini Subbarao(ASU)
Rashmi Kumar Mangala Muddaraj Sridhar Rajagopal Nandini Subbarao Kolar-Balasubramanyam (ASU)
Sincere “THANK YOU” to all the Presidents, Directors and Volunteers
for serving KSA from 1987 to 2013. JOB WELL DONE!
KSA Board of Directors & Major Committees 1987-2013
Database Creation: Jagdish Sagar
KSA BOD 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002
President Shashi Gundurao Ananth Rao Jagdish Sagar Krishna Shetty
Vice President Tulasidas Kuruvanka Tulasidas Kuruvanka Girija Krishnamurthy Ram Krishna
Secretary Sridhar Rajagopal Ravi Gorur Kumar Javarayappa Kumara Swamy
Sudhindra Bangalore
Treasurer Kowdle Prasad Kowdle Prasad Krishna Shetty Thiru Mandyam
Directors Rashmi Kumar T. L. Mahesh Mangala Muddaraj Nandini Ramesh Sukumar Raghuram(ASU)
Shashi Gundurao Girija Krishnamurthy Nandini Ramesh Mysore Suresh Raghavendra Nagaraj(ASU)
Jayavathi Arjuna Vidya Gadagkar Vijay Kumar Ananth Rao Mysore Suresh Rabinandan Gowravarjanam(ASU)
Shamala- Chickamenahalli Vidya Gadagkar Jagdish Sagar Vidya Viswanath Madhu Reddy(ASU)
KSA BOD 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006
President Ram Krishna Achut Kumar Roopa Pandarinath Anand Burji
Vice President Achut Kumar Hemanth Kumar Keni Prasad Meera Krishna
Secretary Divya Mahesh Hemanth Kumar
Divya Mahesh Srinath Kadaba Ullas Vijaysimh
Treasurer Thiru Mandyam Bharath Kanagal Anand Burji Sudhakar-Saraswatipura
Directors Bharath Kanagal Jyothsna Moudhgal Anita Rangaswami Pandarinath(ASU)
Roopa Pandarinath Keni Prasad Anita Rangaswami Sujatha Sanjay Harish Bashettihalli(ASU)
Jaya Moodabagil D. Rajashekar Sudhakar-Saraswatipura Ullas Vijaysimh Bharath Venugopal(ASU)
Bhaktha Keshavachar Vijaya Mandyam Gouri Shetty Kumara Swamy
KSA BOD 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010
President Meera Krishna T. L. Mahesh Girija Krishnamurthy Kumara Swamy
Vice President Gouri Shetty Ramesh Arakere Manjunath Nagappa Rama Sharma
Secretary Kumara Swamy Satya Krishnamurthi Satya Krishnamurthi Usha Suresh
Treasurer Keshav Murty Pradeep Jana Rama Sharma Vandith Reddy
Directors Ramesh Arakere Rashmi Kumar T. L. Mahesh Vijaya Mandyam Adarsh Murthy(ASU)
Girija Krishnamurthy Keshav Murty Manjunath Nagappa Anu Srinivasan Adarsh Murthy(ASU)
Krishnachandra D Sudha Puttur Anu Srinivasan Kumara Swamy Sudhir Kumar(ASU)
Rashmi Deshpande Sharada Rao Vineet Rao Prasad Samak Rajeshwari Sastry
KSA BOD 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014
President Sharada Rao Subbu Konanur Prakash Joshi Ramesh Arakere
Vice President Vineet Rao Maya Krishnaswamy Leela Nataraj Kamalakshi Murthy
Secretary Puneeth Upadhyaya Raghu Nandan Mahesh Dharan Vinutha Kumar
Treasurer Vandith Reddy Mahesh Dharan Surendra Kadegowda Kannan Iyengar
Directors Kumar Javarayappa Subbu Konanur Maya Krishnaswamy Vishwanath Pavate Rajeshwari Sastry
Shanta Hariharan Kumar Javarayappa Prakash Joshi Leela Nataraj Dinesh Rao
Kannan Iyengar Vinutha Kumar Kamalakshi Murthy Raghu Nandan Deepak Srikantiah
Shridhar Chennagiri Sudha Dinesh Shaila Keshav Subbu Konanur Kavita Kulkarni
“KSA25 - A Journey down the Memory Lane” article includes 185 pictures, 72 KSA Notable
Highlights, 63 Visiting Dignitaries, providing glimpses of 25 years of accomplishments by KSA.
Note: Please contact KSA Board with any feedback. Any errors and omissions are not intentional.