The Kannada diaspora gathered in vibrant celebration at the 8th North America Vishwa Kannada Association (NAVIKA) World Kannada Summit, held August 29–31, 2025, in Lakeland, Florida. The three-day event drew thousands of Kannadigas from across the globe, filling the air with the sights and sounds of Karnataka through literature, music, cinema, forums, and cultural festivities.
One of the summit’s defining announcements was the appointment of Dr. Anu Bhat of Atlanta as President of NAVIKA for 2025–2026. Under her stewardship, Atlanta will become the center of Kannada pride in 2027, when the 10th NAVIKA World Kannada Conference convenes from September 3–5 at the Gas South Convention Center—an unprecedented milestone for the city’s Kannada community.
“I am deeply honored to serve as President,” Dr. Bhat said in her address. “NAVIKA means we are global Kannadigas. My vision is to bring new global perspectives into the organization and make it more inclusive, while continuing to strengthen the foundation already in place.”
Atlanta’s Nrupathunga Kannada Koota (NKK) left a lasting impression in Lakeland through their active participation. Their staging of a comedy play under the direction of acclaimed writer-director Beesu Suresha drew much praise.
Founded in 1973, NKK has long been a cultural pillar for Kannadigas in Atlanta, and with the city set to host the 2027 conference, its prominence is expected to grow further on the international stage.
The Lakeland summit itself was rich in cultural and intellectual offerings. The inaugural ceremony welcomed dignitaries including Shivaram Tangadagi, Karnataka’s Minister of Kannada and Culture; Ramesh Babu Lakshmanan, Consul General of India in Atlanta; acclaimed actor Rakshit Shetty; MLAs Shri Ravi Kumar Ganiga and Shri Samruddi Manjunath; MLC Basannagowda Badarli; and IAS officer Madhusudan Reddy.
Adding a touch of Mysuru grandeur, veteran actor Ramesh Aravind led a colorful cultural procession inspired by the iconic Jumbo Savari.
The Literary Forum, inaugurated by noted thinker Dr. Gururaj Karajagi, highlighted Kannada’s literary brilliance through poets, authors, and intellectuals who spoke of the language’s enduring legacy.
On the entertainment side, the summit sparkled with the presence of luminaries such as Ramya (Divya Spandana), Rakshit Shetty, Ramesh Aravind, Dr. Srinath, Megha Shetty, and Vinay Rajkumar, representing generations of Sandalwood’s rich tradition.
Evenings were alive with music as beloved composer Mano Murthy, rapper-singer All OK, and vocalist Divya Ramachandra offered performances that blended nostalgia with contemporary rhythms.
The event extended well beyond film and music, with business and entrepreneurship forums, youth and women’s sessions, storytelling circles, short plays, poetry recitals, a spirited cricket tournament, a textile-themed fashion show, and alumni reunions that brought old friends back together.
Spiritual leaders from Karnataka and the U.S. lent their blessings, underscoring the summit’s deeper role as both a cultural and spiritual celebration.
Ultimately, while dignitaries, artists, and celebrities added prestige, the real heartbeat of NAVIKA lay in its people—the families who traveled far, the youth discovering their cultural roots, the elders sharing their wisdom, and communities like NKK carrying Karnataka in their hearts.
