" Back in 2003, I believe in January, our Kannada Koota had a first (one and only) regional meeting with the community. Our family was represented by my daughter-in-law Anu nad my son Arun. In that meetning it was suggested about starting 'Kannada Kali' in our area. Anu volunteered my name knowing my interest in teaching and passion for Kannada language.
Our dear friend Rajeshwari took the intiative and called me to consider having classes. I readily accepted.
On Jan. 14th Sankrantki Day, we started our first class with a little 'puja' at the temple. We had, my three grandchildren-Raj, Jay, Aneesh and along with them Meghana, Maya, Jeevita, Jessica and Ajay. That was a very brief class for 15 minutes at Chatsworth Temple. Mr. Varma the Purohit was very nice and obliged.
Unfortunately we couldn't continue there. We started as every Sunday, invariably they had something going on, we couldn't have the classes. As usual Mala and Mukund opened their doors for us. Sometimes we had classes there. Our number also increaed, Arinajay, Amulya, Kanika, Nathan, Kanak joined. From then on we took turns having classes in our homes.
In 2005 Sept. when I requested Mr. Jnyana Murthy Bhat at Krishna Temple, he was more than happy to accommodate us. We held classes there for two years, they not only gave us place they also fed all of us along with our children. Our children learnt a lot about our customs, culture and discipline.
Since the beginnig, we encouraged our children to perform on the stage and we participated in every Childrens' Day and of course lately in Kannada kali Day as well.
Thanks to all the parents, today we are one of the most recognised group in the valley.
From then on you know how we progressed, grew and became a Big Happy Family with actors, performers and artists, pl aywrights,etc.
VKK History
