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.