Kanara Saraswat Association honors actor Anant Nag and other achievers on its 112th Foundation Day

mangaloretoday.com

Mumbai, November 30, 2023: The Kanara Saraswat Association (KSA) marked its 112th Foundation Day in a grand celebration at Srimat Anandashram Sabhagriha, Talmakiwadi, Mumbai on Sunday, November 26, 2023. The event, graced by luminaries including Vinay Tonse, Managing Director of State Bank of India (SBI), recognized outstanding individuals for their noteworthy contributions. 

 

Sunil Ullal, overseeing Sports & Cultural events, set the tone for the evening, extending a warm welcome to the audience and dignitaries. Key figures, including KSA President Kishore Masurkar, Vice President Udaykumar Gurkar, and Chairman Mahesh Kalyanpur, addressed the gathering.

The prestigious awards were presented to the following individuals:

Anant Nag - A Living Legend in Theatre and Film

Renowned producer, director, and actor Anant Nag received accolades for his phenomenal contribution to theatre and cinema. With an impressive repertoire of 50 plays and over 300 films across eight languages, he was recognized for his enduring impact on the Kannada industry.

Dr. Bharat Balvalli - Swaradhish in Music

Dr. Bharat Balvalli, honored with the title ’Swaradhish’ by HH Jagadguru Shankaracharya Karveer Peeth, received recognition for his excellence in Hindustani Classical, Semi-Classical, and Light Music. Having garnered blessings from all members of the Mangeshkar family, Dr. Balvalli has also made significant contributions to Marathi and Hindi film music, while actively supporting social causes.

Shivshankar D. Murdeshwar - Three Decades of Selfless Service

Acknowledging decades of dedicated service to KSA, Shivshankar D. Murdeshwar was honored for his tireless contributions. Serving in various capacities on the KSA Managing Committee from 1986 to 2021, Murdeshwar’s commitment extended to roles such as Health Centre Secretary and Chairman.

Vinay Tonse - Banking and Finance Excellence

Recognizing excellence in Banking and Finance, Vinay Tonse, Managing Director of SBI, was commended for his illustrious career. Starting as a Probationary Officer in 1988, Tonse has successfully navigated diverse roles within SBI, culminating in his recent appointment as Managing Director (Retail Business & Operations).

Arjun Sirur - Entrepreneurial Stalwart

Arjun Sirur, Chairman and Managing Director of Cotmac, received accolades for his outstanding contribution to entrepreneurship. Representing the fifth generation of the Sirur family in business, Sirur leads Cotmac, a global leader in Industrial Automation and Plant Intelligence. His role as a Trustee at Shree Trust and Karla Education Trust demonstrates his commitment to community development.

In addition to these commendations, KSA also recognized achievements in sports and literature:

Emerging Sportsperson of the Year - Anandi Chandavarkar

At just 14 years old, Anandi Chandavarkar was honored for her exceptional achievements in international sailing, competing in the Open Skiff Class and consistently winning championships worldwide.

Veteran Sportsperson of the Year - Shivanand Kundaje

Shivanand Kundaje, a 69-year-old table tennis enthusiast, received recognition for his continued passion and success in representing Maharashtra "A" Team at the National Veteran Championship.

Konkani Articles Awards - Sharad Shirali, Shashi Balsekar, Chaitanya Nadkarni

Contributions to Konkani literature were celebrated as Sharad Shirali, Shashi Balsekar, and Chaitanya Nadkarni received awards for their impactful work.

The evening concluded with a sense of pride and community spirit as KSA celebrated not only its Foundation Day but also the achievements of these distinguished individuals.