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e-patra       December 2003, Issue# 5

Dear Friends:
 
Thank you all very much for attending, participating and making our recent functions-- NADAHABBA and the MOVIE -- very successful and enjoyable. I hope you all enjoyed the networking, entertainment and food and more than anything the chance to meet and socialize with other Kannadigas.  Our children, youth and adults did a marvellous job of providing top class programs. We thank the many parents, leaders, committee members, donors and volunteers who helped us in this task. While most of the comments we received about the Nada habba function was very very positive, we regretfully took note of some of the shortcomings in serving of the food. While we had good amount of food left over, unfortunately the serving size could have been improved. On behalf of the committee I assure you to try our best to correct the situation next time. Please do come forward and volunteer in all our efforts.
 
Our movie Preethi, Prema, Pranaya received very high accolades and we wish more people could have seen this top class movie with such a meaningful story, entertainment and appeal.
 
Our planned bus trip to Casino RAMA is in full swing and the BUS IS NOW FULL.  A bus load of Kannadigas will have an enjoyable and profitable day on December 7th.
 
We are getting ready for the next set of events, Some details of the planned events are given below. Please come forawrad, volunteer and participate.
 
Now let us all get ready for the holiday season and the new year coming up shortly.
                                                                                                                                            -------- Sharada Bhat
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KANNADA SANGHA CULTURAL PROGRAM AND TALENT COMPETITION
 
Our annual Cultural program is scheduled for  Saturday,  February  21st,  2004 at Yorkwoods Public Library Theatre. In keeping up with the momentum we have developed so far, we are expanding the cultural program to include a  TALENT COMPETITION.  We will have the competition first in the afternoon  and the cultural program in the evening. In between we will have time for a break and snacks. Look for the next Newsletter in early January to get full details. 
 
In the mean time please call and give your name for the talent competition to:  Bhamini  416-746-3862 or Ramesh 416-626-1414
 
The competition will be judged and prizes awarded some tentative details are:
Age groups:  5 to 10, 11 to 17 and 18 and above.
Talent Item categories: 
Music:     Indian Classical Vocal music, Indian instrumental music, western vocal, Cine and light Indian vocal
Dance:    Classical, Bollywood
Miscellaneous:    Comedy, Marshall arts, Magic etc.
Please Note:    STRICT TIME LIMIT WILL BE FOLLOWED - Maximun of 3 minutes per item
                            Single or group items are welcome
                            Everyone has to pre-register and no on the spot registration
                            Judges decisions are final
                            Only Limited entries are allowed to keep the schedule, first called-first registered
 
Please call and register:
 
DIRECTORY UPDATE
 
We are currently updating the Kannada Sangha directory which will be printed and made available during this function.  Please update your information with us immediately.
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UGADI FUNCTION
 
Ugadi function will be held on Saturday April 17, 2004 at Port Credit Secondary School, Mississauga. Details will be coming out soon. Please volunteer with your talents and assistance.
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"SCULPTURES COME ALIVE"  -----SPECIAL 30 TH ANNIVERSARY KARNATAKA FESTIVAL - May 22, 2004
 
This is the 30th year of our Sangha. To celebrate this we are collaborating with Sri Lasya Dance Academy  and a few other artists and arranging a  grand FESTIVAL OF KARNATAKA  "SCULPTURES COME ALIVE" at the Markham Theatre. This is going to be  a memorable event  which no Kannadiga in Toronto should miss. The event  is a celebration of the  art, sculptures and stories of Belur and Halebeedu temples with the lyrics of the great Kannada poet D.V.G, exhibition of sculptures, photographs, literature and so on. The details are being worked out actively.
 
Please book your calendar for May 22, 2004. We will be announcing the ticket details soon. In the mean time we need sponsors, advertisers and all types of supporters. Please call us and offer your assistance. We are extremely exited about this event and we are trying to bring together a variety of artists under one roof to celebrate this event.
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OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
 
BHARATIYA PRAVASI DIVAS
Government of India has designated January 9th (the day Mahatma Gandhi came back to India) as Bhartiya Pravasi Divas. The second annual event will be held in New Delhi on January 9th to 11th, 2004. The emphasis is on the Indian Diaspora spread throught the world. The Indian Government is inviting all the NRIs to come and take part in grand cultural events, events for entrepreneurs, businness, meetings and so on. A delegation from Indo-canada Chamber of Commerce will be going there. If you are interested in joining the group or want to participate in the events you can get more details from the web site:  www.cgitoronto.ca or www.indiaday.org
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REPUBLIC DAY OF INDIA
 
PANORAMA INDIA will be holding the Indian Republic Day  festivities on Saturday, January 31, 2004 at Bond International Collegiate at Midland and Eglinton Avenue. The festival will have Bazaars, Displays, Entertainment and festivities. Book your calendars and wait for more details.
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INFORMATION FROM INDIAN CONSULATE
Mr. Divyabh Manchanda, Consul General would like to convey to all members that they are working hard to improve services at the Consulate.   They now provide fully computerized information  and you can access it through their web site: www.cgitoronto.ca  He requests that we look through the web site to get any information and application forms required. If any additional information is required we can certainly call the Consulate. Looking through the web page will minimize the need to call. Also please try to follow the instructions so that you will not get frustrated when you go there. This would also help them.
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A New book by Prof. Kesavan: Science and Spirituality/A Hindu Perspective
Prof. Kesavan, a senior member of our association has published an informative book on Science and Spirituality.  Please go to the website http://members.rogers.com/hkkesavan  to get more details.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!!!
 
January 31, 2004 - Republic Day of India Celebrations - Panorama India
February 21, 2004 - Talent Competition and Cultural Function - Kannada Sangha
April 17, 2004 - Ugadi Function - Kannada Sangha
May 22, 2004 - "Sculptures Come Alive" - A feature presentation - 30th Anniversary Special on Karnataka Culture
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VISIT OUR NEW WEB PAGE AT:  www.kstoronto.com
 
Please convey this information to all your Kannada friends – members, non members, new immigrants.
 Update your address, e-mail, phone numbers
LET US ENERGIZE, ENLARGE, EXPAND OUR MEMBERSHIP AND ACTIVITIES
30th year of our Association !!!
Kannada Sangha, PO Box 23545,Dexter PO,5899 Leslie Street, Willowdale, Ontario, M2H 3R9
Phone:905-737-9040
 e-mail:  kansangha@hotmail.com
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