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 "Remembering one's roots" is very important to a person, as it would help in remembering the family name and family history, which every one holds so close to their hearts. The cultural identity of a person is equally important. In a world that is constantly changing, such an identity would go beyond just helping us bond with people of our own cultural interest and background. While the Portuguese, the French and the English came to India to develop trade relationship between India and their countries, these foreigners made India as their home. It is not uncommon even to this day, that we see roots of some of the cultures brought by these foreigners to India.
From verifiable sources it is seen that Indians started migrating to other countries, almost 100 years ago. Today, Indians have settled in many parts of the world and are constantly trying to keep in touch with India. The early settlers of Indians in the western states of the United States of America, is reported to have happened some 80 years ago. Later, Indian settlers were found to have moved and settled down in the Chicago, New York and Boston areas. It is worth noting that Indians came to this country to improve their “Quality of Life” and by their own choice, unlike the Europeans who migrated to this country due to religious persecution in their homelands.
Today we see Indians in almost all major and minor cities, in all walks of life and have become a part of the main stream population. And yet, their love for and of India has remained very strong.
The earliest arrival of Kannadigas in the Houston (Texas) area is reported to be in the early sixties. Their number has been constantly increasing since then. Although a few Kannadigas have returned to India, majority of them are still around and have interesting stories to share with us. They have proudly maintained their family and cultural ties with Karnataka. The celebration of “Yugadi” and “Ganesha Festival” which started in the early 60’s is still continuing as a tradition, the only difference being that the number of families attending such events now is about 20 times larger.
It was in this environment, that the Houston Kannada Vrinda took its birth, in the early part of May 1983. There were about 45 Kannada families living in Houston at that time, they came together to form an Organization that would serve their cultural interests and enable them to preserve their cultural heritage. The first meeting was held at the old India Culture Center (ICC) building located near Hillcroft area of Houston. Then Kannadigas of Houston founded the organization which is now well known to Kannadigas all over the World as “Houston Kannada Vrinda”. In a subsequent meeting, the Houston Kannada Vrinda was officially announced to the public and inaugurated in the august presence of families and friends. This is the very first Kannada organization to be registered in the state of Texas.
Dr. R.N.S Rao was elected as the founding President, Mrs. Nalini Jayaram as the Vice President and in-charge of cultural activities. Mr. Vatsa Kumar and Mr. Acharya were elected as the Secretary and Treasurer respectively. An efficient team consisting of Mrs. Gayathri Kongovi, Mr. Ramanath Kongovi, and Dr. R.N.S.Rao, headed by Subby Subramanyam authored the Constitution of Kannada Vrinda. The well thought-out and carefully drafted Constitution was unanimously adopted by Kannada Vrinda at its annual General Body meeting held in 1983. The original Constitution has remained as a valuable document till today, providing direction to Houston Kannada Vrinda in the conduct of its regular business. The first Kannada Vrinda Directory was published with tremendous help from several volunteers and listed the names of Kannadigas living in major Texas cities. Mr. Ramesh Shamarao helped in funding this effort.
As the number of immigrants to Houston and the surrounding areas increased, Kannada families that arrived in Houston heard about Kannada Vrinda and soon became its members. Today, Houston Kannada Vrinda is supported by more than 250 family members, 20 single members and more than 100 non-members. It is estimated that there are another 100 or so Kannadigas that are living in our neighborhood but we are unable to contact them.
Kannada Vrinda is a Registered, Non-profit, 501 C-3, Texas Corporation. It files annual tax returns with the IRS, and has received Sales Tax Exemption Certificate from the State Comptroller. Kannada Vrinda is registered with the Secretary, State of Texas in Austin, as required by Law.
An elected body of seven members, called the Board of Directors, govern the activities of Kannada Vrinda. The elections are conducted once every 2 years, using appropriate election process. The next annual elections will he held in April 2004. All current members are eligible to vote or stand for election.
Many Kannada artists, writers, poets, and professional performers from Karnataka have come to Houston and performed under the banner of Houston Kannada Vrinda. There is a growing list of artists who want to come to Houston to perform. Our own members and their kids have so far produced more than 20 Kannada plays, which have been well received and enjoyed by the audience.
The celebration of the World Millennium Kannada Conference in the year 2000 did not happen by chance. Under the Chairmanship of Mr. Jayaram Nadig, more than 20 members of Kannada Vrinda worked diligently for over 26 months, in planning and putting up this magnificent show at the prestigious George Brown Convention Center in August / September 2000. More than 2200 Kannadigas from all over the World came to the Conference, which has established an unprecedented record. Representatives from the Government of Karnataka, performing artists, poets, thinkers, professionals and programmers, and the large number of Kannadigas who attended the Conference, are responsible in making the Conference such a great success.
Houston Kannada Vrinda is receiving financial support in the form of grants from the Cultural Arts Council of Houston and Harris County (CACHH) for the last 3 years. With this support, Kannada Vrinda has increased the number of its cultural activities and opened its doors to the public. Recently, Houston Kannada Vrinda received a grant from the Miller Theatre Advisory Board and will be presenting a spectacular program at the Miller Open Air Theatre on April 26, 2003. This multicultural, mega event is free and open to the public.
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.
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