Executive Board
Born and brought up in Maala Karkala. His father is from Maala and mother is from Kellaputhige-Marnad in Moodabidri. After his early education in Mala-Karkala, had his Engineering education in Bagalkot and National Institute of Technology (NITK) Surathkal, India. He served as a Lecturer in Nitte Engineering college for a short period of time.
He is one of the founding members of New England Tulu Koota (NETK) Boston USA and instrumental in driving its growth as President for two terms. A fervid enthusiast of Tulu Language, Literature, Culture and actively involved in Tulu drama, skits, dance, Yakshagana, etc. Bhaskar prides himself for knowing how to read and write in Tulu script. Besides Tulu Koota, he is also involved in Kannada Koota and an active member of other local Indian Associations. He is passionate about giving back to society in his own capacity by helping underprivileged schools in India.
Married to Sandhya with 2 children – Ariyana, a Senior at Georgia Tech and Aatish, a Sophomore at Georgia State. Shirish is an avid Tennis player and has a few accolades to his name. Has represented the State of Georgia in the USTA over 40’s league tennis.
A big proponent of Tulu language and talks only in Tulu at home and with family. As a family they have made it close to compulsory to visit Mangalore at least once or more every year and have done this since 2008 until COVID.
President of BANA (Bunts Association of North America) from 2019 – 2022. Under his leadership BANA has been more active in trying to bring the community together with various initiatives and to keep the membership engaged. He has attended 13 out of the last 15 BANA Conventions.
Shirish, has also engaged in trying to help the underprivileged and especially during COVID he has helped various charities back in India.
Growing up and being educated in cosmopolitan Bengaluru helped with learning many Indian languages and familiarity with the cultures around those regions. However Tulu language and culture takes a special place in his heart.
Prakash’s paternal ancestral home is in Harekala / Ambalamogaru, and maternal ancestral home is in Thokur near Haleangadi.
Subtle inclination to art and various forms as a kid motivated him to rekindle it after moving to the US. He is pursuing Kannada, Tamil, English professional stage theatre when opportunity arises, also directing and acting in short movies. Prakash is passionate about percussion instruments, particularly Chenda, and is continually learning and a member of local Kerala Chenda melam group.
Always taking pride in her roots Puja has been associated with BANA( Bunts association of North America) as a member since her move to the US and is currently serving as one of the board members and the regional representative of the New England area. She is grateful for having had the opportunity of serving a 2 term tenure ( 2015 to 2019) as the general secretary of the New England Tulu Koota in Boston where she got to introduce new members
Into the fold thus connecting tuluvas in and around the New England area while also connecting with many others around the world. Puja has also been volunteering for the New England Kannada Koota Seva Mandaara ( charity wing ) since its inception in 2013.
On the personal front she grew up in Bhadravathi, studied in malnad college of engineering in Hassan. Puja prides herself in being the granddaughter of Late Mrs . Leelavathi Rai first female MLA in Dakshina Kannada and lives by some of her guiding principles . Her father Sudhakar Rai is from Vitla, Kundadka and Kaidale and mother Geetha Rai is from Kodial Guthu and Bakrabail family and she has 1 brother Vikas Rai residing in Bangalore.
Puja has great love for the tulu language , culture and cuisine and believes that she has learnt a lot from her New England tulu Koota family. She can speak tulu fluently and takes pride in learning to read and write in tulu in 2020 under the guidance of Satish Agpala from Kanaada and his tulu lipi online classes.
Subhas is an active member of Bunts Association of North America and involves himself in promoting Yakshagana, Tulu movies and any other activities to support Tulu language and its culture in the US.
Growing up in a family of amateur artists and litterateurs, Subhas has immense interest in preserving, protecting and developing Tulu language and the cultural heritage of the land.
Board of Directors
Dr.Alva is an active member of Bunts Association of North America, served in various roles in the regional and national levels over the years. He has a passion for Yakshagana, and serves as the Secretary of Yakshadhruva Patla Foundation USA, organized to support the artists and the art. He is actively involved in the Tulu associations in the Bay area.
Ajith roots are from Sringeri and Udupi.He has spent most of his time in Mysore, studied his engineering in chikmagalur and worked in Bangalore for few years. He is currently one of the Board of Directors for USA Cricket.He has served as Co - chair of the Cricket Committee.Under his term, the USA has achieved ODI Status in 2019. Currently, he is serving as chair for the Strategy committee and working on 1 st ever strategy for USA Cricket after the formation of the new Board.He manages multiple Cricket Organizations.He is also President of NYTBCL and Kannada Koota NY.He started the many petition to get the grounds and helping senator for Empire state Task force, which is proposed to understand and develop cricket in NY.0 ver the years Ajith Bhaskar worked hard to nurture and grow the cricket in New York area.The capacity and commitment to serve the sport is undoubted.Past few years he is very aggressive in acquiring ground, promoting cricket for youth, and finding sponsors for league and Clubs.Managing a large league like Commonwealth cricket league with more than 2000 players is a mammoth task and with his vision and experience he is setting up the right policies and rules to run the show smoothly. He had conducted many coaching camps for Kids and a great advocate of cricket in the local community.
Dr.Mohanchandra served in various capacities on boards, committees of Karnataka Cultural Association, Southern California(KCA - SC) and is passionate about Yakshagana, Drama and other cultural activities.He is also one of the founders of Karavali - SC, an organization which serves to unite people from Karavali(Kasaragod, Dakshina Kannada & Udupi Districts) in southern California.
Engaged himself in various community activities related to Tulu, Kannada and religious activities.Back in India, he did volunteer service in temples and played a different role in various community groups. He is one of the founding members of Shivalli Kutumba of North America and currently serving as a President.
Very passionate about Yakshagana, engaged himself in Tulu Drama and other cultural activities. He is serving as lead committee members of the Detroit Yakshagana Sangha. Currently continuing learning Badagu tittu Yakshagana dance.
Born and brought up in Maala Karkala.His father is from Maala and mother is from Kellaputhige - Marnad in Moodabidri. After his early education at Sri Gurukula primary school, he completed PUC at Bhuvanendra College Karkala. He completed his Medical School in Mysore and additional post doctoral study at University of Delhi.
He is actively involved with Association of physicians of Indian subcontinent and other Indian associations. He is a strong supporter of Indian heritage and culture. His wife is an accomplished Bollywood and bharathnatyam dance artist.He loves playing chess and Badminton.
He is very enthusiastic about Tulu culture including yakshyagana, Booths Kola, Tulu Nataka, Tulu Movies and tuluva parampare.
Umesh is passionate about Yakshagana, cultural stage activities and artwork.Besides charity work, he is actively involved in Tulu and Kannada community organizations.Umesh is the founding president of Triangle Tuluvere Chavadi, North Carolin
Regional Ambassadors
Born and raised in coastal city Mangalore listening to sweet sounding Tulu bridging the hearts, and cherishing Tuluva culture being the way of life. Member of Tulu speaking families from both parents ' side, mother from Puttur and father from Mangalore.
Brings 20 + years of social impacting experience in nonprofits dedicated to education in India(ASHA for Education, FFE), community health(IndiaCC) and culture(KKNC, BANA) as a member of executive and functional committees.Founded holistic health services company and trained communities on Yoga and Ayurvedic lifestyle. Founded Tuluvas group in the bay area with the purpose of preserving Tulu language and culture.
Avil 's native place is Sanoor, Karkala and he graduated in Commerce from Nitte college, Nitte. Avil's parents live in Sanoor and their association with the Tulu community there has ingrained the love for Tulu in Avil 's heart & mind.
Prajwal Moved to the U.S.to pursue his master 's in the year 2012 and has been living in Detroit, Michigan ever since. Married to Akshatha Shetty for 2 years now and they have been actively participating and serving in the kannada koota and other Indian community related events in Michigan.
Prajwal along with his friend(Manas) started the Michigan Tulu Koota group to unite and bring together all the tuluvas in the Michigan area. The group started off as a community with only 4 members and today it proudly boasts of having over 100 families come together as one. Prajwal has also actively participated in many Stage shows, tulu natakas and even a few short movies.
He was brought up in Kolar Gold Fields(KGF) as a Tuluva where he did his early education and later moved to Bangalore and then to the USA. His dad is from Kavoor, Mangalore and mom from Sringeri and has roots in Udupi & Dakshina Kannada district.
Prasanna has been involved with the England Tulu Koota(NETK) since its inception and he is the current Secretary of this organization. He initiated and organized the spoken Tulu & Tulu script classes in the USA.He also knows how to read and write in Tulu.He is an active member involved with other local organizations as well.He loves music and likes to sing during his free time.He likes Yakshagana and watches it during his free time. He is a sports enthusiast and loves to watch Soccer, Cricket, American football and various other sports.
Married to Sudha Kanchan with one son - Aryan.
A big proponent of Tulu language and talks only in Tuluand Kannada at home and with family. As a family they have made it close to compulsory to visit Udupi / Kundapura at least once or more every year and have done this since 2020 until COVID.
I work as Sr Project Manager for HCL America Inc.Stay in Minneapolis since 2012. With Wife Preeti & Daughter - Thanishka
Do a lot of biking & walking.I enjoy walking even in the most terrible winters. Watch & hear a lot of Tulu natakas & Videos.Have seen some good Atas in 1990--2000 Very Fluent in speaking Tulu.
Santhosh was born in Sullia, Dakshina Kannada and grew up in the same city by watching and being part of the beautiful arts of the Tulunadu like Yakshagana, Aata, Nema, Kola, Kambala, Tambila and unique festivals like Bali Padyami, Keddasa, bisu parba etc. His agricultural family background helped him to develop a strong bondage and respect in Tulu culture.
Inspired by the thoughts of the great Swami Vivekananda at a young age, he volunteered to organize various charitable activities at state level back in India, including organizing student programs, fundraising and cultural events.His passion for connecting people helped in expanding the Karavali group in outhern California and organizing yakshagana programs in the region in 2019. Santhosh is also actively involved in various charity programs especially helping underprivileged students in India.
Rai Martell was born and raised in a remote village in Belthangady, a local administrative region about 60 minutes away from the city of Mangalore. Art has always been running the family, her father was a Yakshagana artist, a government employee and an Agriculturist.Yakshagana is a traditional folk theatre form mostly practiced in coastal regions of Indian state of Karnataka.Her grandfather was also a Yakshagana Bhagavata, the chief narrator of the play. Rai Martell 's mother is a homemaker and takes care of the family farm. Growing up with two siblings, she has always been inclined towards arts and culture, She practiced singing Indian classical music.She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts(BA) degree from SMC college in Moodabidri and later with a Bachelor of Legislative Law(LLB) from the SDM Law College(affiliated with Karnataka State Law University) in Mangalore. She was appointed as a Cultural Secretary and Joint Secretary at SMC college, and later as a Joint Secretary at SDM law college.
In 2015, Rai Martell decided to take a break from her corporate career to take care of her family and to pursue her interest in music, embossing, quilling and other paper arts.In 2021, she founded Florida Tulu Koota and is currently involved with organizations promoting Tulu culture in India and overseas. Rai Martell 's aim is to help the immigrant communities and second generation of Tulu origin in the United States, especially in Florida, to connect with each other and stay in touch with their culture.She is currently learning to read and write Tulu 'lipi'(script) to further broaden her horizons.Rai Martell likes traveling, exploring new culture and cuisines. Florida 's beaches, the warm weather, coconut and mango trees reminds her of hometown Mangalore.
Active member of Bunts Association of North America and currently the BANA regional Representative for the Southwest region.He is actively involved with Bhajane, volunteering, fund raising and Charity events as part of the Houston bunts group. He also is an active member of the Houston Kannada Vrinda and the Udupi temple and has served both those organizations in various capacities.
Born and raised in Bangalore where he did his schooling and Engineering.His roots are from the very heart of the Tulu speaking region Mangalore. Paternal ancestral home is in Kolnaadu and mothers native place is Kinnigoli near Kateel.The regular visits to grandparents place have kept him rooted to the Tulu culture and watching festivities like Kambala and Buta Kola have made him appreciate the Tulunadu traditions.He has participated in several cultural programs like singing, dancing, drama, short movies and the most beautiful yet most challenging art form Yakshagana which he performed in Houston, Texas in 2019 for a Kannada Sangha event. Siddharth has had the privilege to represent the country in swimming at the World Swimming Championship 2012.
He moved to the US in 2007, but has been living in St Louis since 2013, with his family(wife and twin daughters).He works as a Project Manager - ERP implementation. Actively involved as a volunteer in several not for profit organizations promoting Bhartiya Classical music and Yakshagana.
Speaks Tulu at home with family and is connected to his roots in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.
Advisors
Once retired from Scientific Research, Bheem has been serving the local community members needs in Real Estate as a Realtor and in Yoga as a Certified Yoga Instructor. He has also been volunteering for 15 + years enthusiastically as a Judge for Science Fairs K4 - K12 to encourage local budding scientists and as a mentor for K4 - K12 in science & service projects.He has been a supporter of the vision and mission of several service organizations including SEWA international, AIM for SEVA, Shankara Eye Foundation & Ekal Vidyalaya. Bheem has been involved in promoting culturally enriching organizations such as Chinmaya Mission Balavihar, Sruti Classical Music & Dance Society of Philadelphia, local Kannada Koota & Havyaka Association North East chapter.Bheem also got an opportunity a few years ago to serve as the President of Havyaka Association of Americas.
With keen interest in Kannada language, literature, culture and fine arts, Srivathsa Joshi is an active member of the Kaveri Kannada Association of Washington DC.As a hobby, Srivathsa Joshi started writing for Kannada newspapers and periodicals.From past 18 years he has been writing weekly columns in various Kannada news portals and newspapers such as thatskannada.com, Vijaya Karnataka and Vishwavani.Till date 13 books of these column write - ups have been published, of which 5 have made it to the Library of Congress - world 's largest library located in Washington DC. The present weekly column 'Tiliru Torana' in Vishwavani, gets published every week as podcast too and is quite popular in social media.
Srivathsa Joshi has been publishing a weekly series titled 'Swaccha Bhaashe Abhiyaana' in social media since past 3 years, about correct grammatical usage of Kannada.Many have found it quite useful in refreshing their Kannada knowledge.
Last but not the least, Tulu is one among nine languages Srivathsa Joshi is conversant with! (Marathi, Kannada, Konkani, Samskritha, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and English the other eight)
With keen interest in Kannada language, literature, culture and fine arts, Srivathsa Joshi is an active member of the Kaveri Kannada Association of Washington DC.As a hobby, Srivathsa Joshi started writing for Kannada newspapers and periodicals.From past 18 years he has been writing weekly columns in various Kannada news portals and newspapers such as thatskannada.com, Vijaya Karnataka and Vishwavani.Till date 13 books of these column write - ups have been published, of which 5 have made it to the Library of Congress - world 's largest library located in Washington DC. The present weekly column 'Tiliru Torana' in Vishwavani, gets published every week as podcast too and is quite popular in social media.
Srivathsa Joshi has been publishing a weekly series titled 'Swaccha Bhaashe Abhiyaana' in social media since past 3 years, about correct grammatical usage of Kannada.Many have found it quite useful in refreshing their Kannada knowledge.
Last but not the least, Tulu is one among nine languages Srivathsa Joshi is conversant with!(Marathi, Kannada, Konkani, Samskritha, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and English the other eight)