1980s: The Beginning

The idea of forming the Sangha was born when a group of Kannadiga doctors gathered at a family event, Sneha Koota, and decided to create a Kannada association. Thus, the Melbourne Kannada Sangha was established in April 1986. The first meeting, held during the Ugadi festival, brought together community members for a fun-filled picnic, celebrating their shared heritage.

1996: 10th Anniversary

The Sangha celebrated its 10th anniversary by inviting renowned singers and dramatists to Melbourne. This milestone event marked the Sangha’s growing influence and ability to bring together the community through cultural programs. That year, a grand celebration of the Dussehra festival was organized in October, featuring children’s performances in dance, music, and other entertainment. This set the tone for annual celebrations of Ugadi, Dussehra, and other festivals, which have since become a hallmark of the Sangha.

2004: Launch of the MKS Kannada Library

In 2004, our Kannada Sangh was honoured with the visit of the then Home Minister of the Government of Karnataka and the Mayor of the Bangalore Metropolitan Corporation. They expressed their deep appreciation for our efforts in Melbourne and recognized the need for a Kannada library within our community. With the honourable minister’s personal interest, the library journey began with a generous donation of 500 books, weeklies, and magazines to the Melbourne Kannada Association.
Mr. Satish Savanoor took on the leadership of this library initiative and has been selflessly serving the Kannada community for the past 20 years. He started by offering library services on the first and third
Sundays of each month at Jells Park and Dandenong Park, never missing a session, regardless of the weather—rain or shine. His dedication to the growth and continuity of our library has been nothing short of remarkable, and we remain forever grateful for his enduring commitment. Thanks to his efforts, the Monash City Council generously provided Clayton Hall for a full-fledged library, free of charge. Today, our library has blossomed into a thriving hub with a collection of over 2000 books, expanding year after year.

Additionally, our members have access to monthly Kannada weeklies and newspapers, further fostering our connection to our rich culture.
Some of our notable milestones include:
1. Successfully providing a collection of 200 small books to each of 150 village schools in Karnataka, thanks to the generous support of our members and sponsors.
2. Celebrating the Silver Jubilee of the Melbourne Kannada Sangh in 2011 by distributing three unique books to each member as a special souvenir from our library.
3. Publishing a high-quality memoir, “Belli Chukki,” compiled by a dedicated group of passionate individuals under the library’s patronage.
4.Establishing a Kannada Book Club, which has grown significantly and has been consistently hosting meetings for the last 13 years.
5. Introducing new library projects, such as an online quiz program on Kannada language knowledge, essay writing, Scholarships Club, VCE information Club, and university courses with internship opportunities.