(Updated on April 24th, 2000) Adopted from Mr. Ashok Sarpeshkar's (Treasurer) Report Fall of 1999
Sangama was officially born in 1994 as a culmination of the aspirations of all Kannada speaking people living in the greater Pittsburgh area. Prior to 1994 an informal, but functioning, Kannada Association did exist all along, thanks to the dedication of a host of individuals. These "pillars" as I would like to call them, nurtured and promoted the feeling of camaraderie and closeness among the Kannada speaking families living in the area. There are so many of them that it would take me a while to read all the names. More importantly,. I would be doing an injustice if I leave any names out. A majority of them had young children, but in spite of it found time to organize events like picnics and a Kannada drama (which consisted of all female casts).
However, there was always an undercurrent of feeling that we should all band together in a formal way, give the organization a structure and try to promote the cause of the Kannada language in every way possible. At this moment Dr Channarasappa stepped in to provide a Constitution that he had prepared for another Organizations. Several people agreed to put their minds together and collectively modify this document to suit goals and aspirations of the association.
In the Fall of 1994, at the Deepavali Meeting the name "Sangama" representing the confluence of the three rivers in Pittsburgh was selected by the majority of the vote. It was decided to write a new Sangama Constitution. It was approved after circulation amongst the members present.
At this meeting, elections to the four Executive Committee positions were also held. The first group of officers to hold the two years term were:
President Makum Ramesh
Cultural Secretary Nagali Srinivasa
Treasurer Ashok Sarpeshkar
Secretary for Food and Catering Mrs. Gowramma Channarasappa
To get the association off the ground, the executive committee offered members the option of either a life membership of $100.00 per family or an annual membership of $15.00 per family. It was decided that we should have at least three events during the year and an effort be made to get members sign up and take active part. A total of 20 families became life members and 54 became regular members. A bank account was opened at Mellon Bank with the requirement that the checks be signed by two of the three executive Committee members.
1995:
During 1995 we increased our membership. Thanks to the efforts of all the office bearers who found Kannada speaking people in the area who had not joined the fold. Mrs Channarasappa relinquished her position as the Food Chairperson due to time constraints. At it’s Fall Meeting the General Body felt that that there was a need for an additional member in the Executive Committee to assist the cultural secretary. Hence, at the Fall meeting, the General Body unanimously elected Deepa Koimmattur (Cultural) and Mrs Asha Krishnappa (Food) to the executive committee. Their terms were short.
1996:
Elections to the Executive Committee were held in Fall of 1996 and the following were elected unanimously.
President Nagali Srinivasa
Cultural Secretary Ramesh Chandra
Treasurer Ashok Sarpeshkar
Secretary for Food and Catering Mrs Channarasappa
Asst. Cultural Secretary Satish Magge
1997:
This year was a busy year. We hosted a visit by the Karnataka Chief Minister in April, staged a Drama, "Yamalokadalli Sandarshana", which was an accomplishment in itself, coordinated the showing of the movie "America America" which was very well attended; we had our annual picnic in North Park. At the meeting in Januray 4th 1997, the Executive Committee decided to abolish the life membership option due to dwindling revenues and instead approved to increase the annual membership to $25.00 per family. Those who had become life members would be exempted from paying their dues until 1998, but would pay $25.00 starting from January of 1999.
1998:
In the Fall of 1998 (Deepavali) We hosted a hilarious Drama "Aralla Ommbathu" by Nagamani and Troupe from Detroit.
New Elections to the Executive Committee were held during the Fall meeting. The following were unanimously elected.
President Sriranga Pudupakkam
Cultural Secretary Satish Magge
Treasurer Ashok Sarpeshkar
Secretary for Food and Catering Nalini Sarpeshkar
Asst. Cultural Secretary Arwind Koimmatoor
1999:
In the Spring of 1999 We hosted a hilarious drama "Shuddhashunti" by Vasanth and party from DC area. We successfully conducted the Summer Picnic in North park. In Summer of 1999 Sangama joined SV Temple and hosted a well known Kannada Drama "Nadubeedi Narayana and Lanchavathara" by famous Master Hirranniah with his two sons. The Kannada Movie that started in Fall of 1997 with the enthusiastic effort of Saraswathi Pudupakkam and President Sriranga Pudupakkam were continued culminating in showing regularly since then. A Movie Club was created which had a short life. With the help of K.L. Prasad of Chirag Entertainers, largest Kannada move distributors from San Jose, Pudupakkam were able to screen many wholesome Kannada movies in Pittsburgh.
In the Summer of 1999 , the Sangama web page was created and links to various other useful web sites placed. In the fall of 1999, Sangama sponsored a music concert by Sitalaxmi Madhavan, an accomplished local artist and two talented young artists from Pittsburgh. The photos taken during these events been posted in the Sangama web site. Sangama now has entered the cyber age.
2000
The Ugadhi and Spring Festivities of this year was done with the Kannada Orchestra by Mysore Rama Rao and Troupe from DC area. With all the conflicts and odds it turned out to be successful with more than expected gathering. This Orchestra was pricey but was worth the effort and cost. Sangama with recent falling revenue from poor payment of annual membership fee, needed to raise money from members. In response to the letter of appeal from the President, 17 members responded with the requested $50.00 per family. A few others joined them in sponsoring the Orchestra at the registration of Ugadhi 2000. This was good enough to foot the bill for the orchestra. Sangama is very grateful to these members who came into rescue and without their help the above mentioned Kannada Orchestra could not have been possible.
(Updated on April 24th, 2000).
Annual Summer Picnic of Sangama of Pittsburgh
DIRECTION TO PARK AND HOW PICNIC IS CONDUCTED
At North Park.
Time 11:30 am to 6:00 pm or untill everbody leaves.
Directions to North Park
From South: 1-79 North
to Exit #22 (Wexford/Rt-910/Orange Belt Turn right here to be on 910 East. Go through Pine Township, past Rt 19.
See Sign to North Park. Turn right (South) onto Pearce Mill Road and go through Park untill you see the Boat House on your right. Turn right into parking lot and follow arrows through parking lot t Shelter #59 "Latrobe" (on your right).
From East: Take Penn Tpk 1-76 West to Exit 4 (Butler Valley/ State Rt. 8). Pay toll and go south on Rt. 8 until
Wildwood Road. Turn right (go west) onto Wildwood untill Babcock Blvd. Turn right (north) onto Babcock blvd. Left onto Pearce Mill Road. You will Boat House on your left. Turn into Boat house parking lot and follow arrows to the shelter #59 "Latrobe" ( on your right)
THIS IS THE USUAL WAY PICNIC IS CONDUCTED
Picnic Starts at 11:30 am ends at 6:00 pm or untll every one leaves. Snacks and Drinks are available from noon to 1:30 pm. Lunch will be between 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm. $5.00 per plate for persons above the age of 12. No Charge below 12 yrs of age. Water Melons after lunch. No Coffee or Tea served. There are no electrical outlets at the site. Games like Frisbees, Badminton, Volley Ball are available. Swings and Slides are available at the Shelter area. Tennis Courts near by. Bring your Bikes if you are upto it. Any Sports equipments you may have, bring them with you, A hot item would be Cricket Bat and Wickets if you have. See you at the Picinic.
|
