Photo Gallely - Current Events

Sangama Adds Laughter!

Sangama has always brought Kannadigas together for culture, food, and friendship. This year, we added one more ingredient – laughter! For the first time, we hosted a Kannada stand-up comedy show featuring the popular Pavan Venugopal.

From Houseful to Applause! Discussions began at 99 tickets, but discussions are soon put to rest as Kannadigas flock in greater than anticipated numbers to cheer our very own! Guests are welcomed with delicious Indian snacks, coffee, tea, and cookies in a perfect atmosphere. The committee ensures stage, audio, and seating are all well arranged, to ensure an enjoyable experience. (Pavan assures us his bald head could handle any dim light!). Pavan was absolutely amazing, with witty observations from everyday life.

A Grand Success! The audience remains fully engaged throughout the entire one-and-a-half-hour performance, laughing at themselves and enjoying clever comebacks. Overall, this new initiative was a grand success, receiving heartwarming feedback from the community.

May this first stand-alone standup comedy event pave the way for many more successful, interesting, and unique programs in the future!

Sangama Family Day 2026: An Evening of Fun, Friendship, and Togetherness

After days of heavy rain, the skies cleared just in time for a perfect Sangama Family Day. Parents, grandparents, children, and even a few furry friends gathered together, ready to reconnect and celebrate as one big community family.

A Taste of Namma Bengaluru

The evening kicked off with a refreshing welcome song from the President, paired with freshly squeezed sugarcane juice. The culinary team knocked it out of the park, treating everyone to nostalgic, authentic street food:

• Crowd Favorites: Mouth-watering bhel puri and masala puri that tasted just like home.
• Summer Refreshments: Sliced watermelon, fresh fruits, and cooling masala buttermilk.
• Live Grilling: Tender corn grilled to perfection and served with tangy coriander chutney and lemon.

Games, Laughter, and Nostalgia

The park was alive with energy, music, and friendly competition. Adults relived their school sports days with lemon-and-spoon races and couple games, while the kids eagerly tackled new challenges. The traditional piñata brought massive cheers from the crowd, followed by a delicious celebratory chocolate cake.

A Feast to Remember

As the sun began to set, history was made at the picnic venue! For the first time, hundreds of steaming hot idlis were made live on-site, served alongside crispy vadas and flavorful vegetable sambar. Combined with a beautiful spread of homemade dishes lovingly brought by community families and topped off with ice cream, it was the perfect culinary finale.

Heartfelt Thanks

The evening wrapped up flawlessly. Families headed home with full stomachs, happy hearts, and beautiful wind chimes to remember the day.

Kudos to the 2026 Sangama Committee! Despite the unpredictable weather, the outstanding teamwork and Girish’s inspiring leadership delivered a truly memorable and successful event.

Celebrating a Beautiful Chapter: Farewell to Manjunath and Sujata

As the saying goes, "Home is not where you live, but where they understand you." For over 25 years, the St. Louis area has been incredibly fortunate to be that home for Manjunath and Sujata. Today, as Manjunath officially steps into a well-deserved retirement, we gather not just to celebrate the end of a stellar professional career, but to honor a quarter-century of friendship, leadership, and profound community impact.

A Legacy of Science and Service

Manjunath’s career at Bayer has been defined by brilliant dedication, heavy scientific contributions, and a passion for innovation that leaves a lasting mark on the professional world. But his impact never stopped at the office doors. Together, Manjunath and Sujata have been the absolute heartbeat of our local community.

Through their tireless involvement with Sangama, they didn't just participate—they built bridges, preserved culture, and created a welcoming family for everyone around them. Whether organizing major cultural milestones, mentoring the younger generation, or offering a warm smile and a helping hand, their contribution to keeping our heritage vibrant in St. Louis is an enduring legacy that will be deeply missed.

The Next Grand Adventure: Atlanta Bound

While it is incredibly hard to say goodbye to a couple who has given so much to our community, we couldn't be happier for the beautiful journey that lies ahead. Manjunath and Sujata are trading the Gateway Arch for the peach trees of Atlanta, embarking on the ultimate retirement adventure: being closer to their wonderful son and playing their favorite new role as doting grandparents.

Manjunath, may your retirement be filled with the same joy, curiosity, and fulfillment you brought to your work every day. Sujata, thank you for being the graceful anchor of so many community initiatives.

St. Louis's loss is truly Atlanta's gain. We wish you both endless days of laughter, relaxation, and precious moments with your grandchild.