Home | What's New | Program Schedule | Board of Directors | Membership | History | Archives | Feedback | Miller Theater Events | Karnataka Heritage Projects | WMKC Report | WMKC Photo Gallery | Kannada Portals Kannada Vrinda is working on many ambitious projects: Work with people from
other cultures and countries, present plays exclusively by our children,
conduct regional workshops and organize programs jointly with other cultural
organizations are only a partial list of items on Kannada Vrinda's Agenda.
Did the phenomenal growth of Kannada Vrinda and its success come to it overnight?
No!! not really. Dedicated volunteers with patience, persistance, love for Kannada and Karnataka, are the roots of our success. When Houston Kannada Vrinda started functioning in 1983, there were only 45 families in its membership. Activities such as Karnataka Rajyotsava and Yugadi celebrations were the main events. Kannada dramas were played at these occasions by our members. Our children put together many short items. The kids played " Nanna Gopala" (written by Kuvempu) which was a great success. Short plays, dances, theme items, fancy dress shows etc gradually attracted more people to come forward to participate in our activities. Kolata presented for the first time in Houston, included many family members who enjoyed their participation. This item was later, presented in Dallas, before performing in Houston for the second time.
Kannada Vrinda's organizing Sri Purandaradasara Aradhane attracted not only our own members, it has attracted participants from Tamil and Telugu families as well. On some occasions, kids from Gujarathi families learnt a few devaranamas and sung in the Aradhane.
Kannada Vrinda's participation at the Annual Republic Day and Independent Day celebrations organized by the India Culture Center, was a great opportunity to meet Kannadigas that were new to Houston area. Starting as early as in 1990, Kannada Vrinda's booth at these events, making and selling tasty Masala Dosas, was a big hit.
Many visiting artists, writers and visiting parents were invited to Kannada Vrinda to come perform. It is noteworthy that artists like Shri. R.K. Srikantan, Shri. N.S. Raman, flute maestro B.N.Suresh, Smt. M.S. Sheela and writers Dr. G. S. Shivarudrappa, Dr. Gopalakrishna Adiga . Dr. Changdrashekar Kambara and parents like Shri. Raghavendra Bhatta and others, have performed under Kannada Vrinda's banner.
Activities such as the above, constantly attracted new members, while sustaining the interest in the founder members. Almost after a decade from the time it was founded, Kannada Vrinda's membership had crossed the magical number of 100 families.
It took another decade for the number of membership to multiply again.
Kannada Vrinda's celebration of the phenomenally successful World Millennium Kannada Conference in Houston in September 2000, not only spread the name of Houston Kannada Vrinda in Texas, but all over the World. Kannadigas from Singara ( Kannada organization from Singapore ), Kannada Balaga ( Kannada Organization from United Kingdom), Montreal and Toronto Kannada organizations from Canada, attended the Conference in addition to over 2000 enthusiastic Kannadigas that filled the venue of the three days' program at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston to its maximum capacity.
To a cheering crowd, visiting officials from Government of Karnataka, Jnanapeetha Award winners U.R. Anantha Murthy and Girish Karnad, artists from Karnataka, successful businessmen B.V.Jagadish and Kumara Malavalli, showed and shared their deep love for Kannada and Karnataka. A colorful Kolata performance with 86 dancers from four Texas cities, namely, Austin, Houston, Dallas and San Antonio showed the cooperation among the Texas Kannadigas. The two hours long, well organized and colorful Dasara procession with 175 participants that showcased the world famous Dasara procession of Mysore, still remains green in our memories.
The influx of Software Engineers from Karnataka in the last decade, in to the Houston area, brought a new wave of Kannadigas to the fold of Houston Kannada Vrinda. This highly energetic and talented group now provides the high-tech support that we now are able to tap into. Choosing Houston as their new home, these young professionals and home makers, have started investing their cultural interests and talents in our Vrinda.
Kannada Vrinda has poised itself in the middle of an environment that is helping in its growth as well as success. Starting with a moderate number of 45 families two decades ago, Houston Kannada Vrinda currently has over 250 families in its membership and the number is steadily growing.
Houston Kannada Vrinda is very proud of Kannadigas in Houston, around the country and around the world, that are supporting and nourishing Kannada Kootas such as ours in their own hometowns and continuing the cultural heritage of Kannada, Karnataka and its people.
The Houston Kannada Vrinda invites each and every Kannadiga and their family in and around Houston to join the organization. The annual membership fee for the new members and for renewals is $35 (Family) and $25 (Individuals and Student Members). The membership renewal is always based on the calendar year (Jan � Dec).
The membership application form to become new members is available by clicking here. You can save and print the form, complete and mail it back with your payment. Please make checks payable to Kannada Vrinda and mail them to: |
