Kaveri Executive Committee 2025

2025 Events

President
Dr Rohini Banavar

  • Mysuru, Karnataka
  • Have been coming to Kaveri on and off since 2006 and have enjoyed serving the committee in various roles over the last several years and was the vice president in 2024. I have also directed 2 kids nataka and have emceed and performed on our Kaveri stage in the past. I love being part of this community and am proud of the fact that us kannadigas have been able to make a mark outside of Karnataka!
  • I enjoy walking, doing yoga, reading and watching shows. Husband, Pramod Banavar grew up in Fairfax and we have 2 kids Manya and Krisha who are actively involved in KYC and enjoy being part of it.
President's Message

Vice President
Mohan Venkobdas

  • Manvi, Raichur dist. Karnataka
  • I have been an active member of the Kaveri Executive Committee for the last five years, serving as the secretary for the year 2024 and as a treasurer in both 2022 and 2023. Additionally, I contributed to the Kaveri Golden Jubilee Celebrations as part of the Finance Committee. I was also a member of the Impana team, which successfully organized the Sri Vidyabhushana concert. Furthermore, I have dedicated five years to teaching as a Kannada Kaliyona instructor.
  • In my leisure time, I enjoy reading, watching movies, solving Kannada padabandha (crossword puzzles), and taking walks.My wife, Sandhya Das, has also been deeply involved as a Kannada Kaliyona teacher. We have two sons, Anikait and Akshay.

Secretary
Jyothi Mandya Satishbabu

  • Sakkare Nagara-Mandya, Karnataka
  • I have been KEC executive member in 2019 & 2022, and Joint Secretary in 2023 & 2024. Secretary for 2025.Part of stage management , volunteer for Decoration committee & Sammilana - the grand finale for Kaveri Golden Jubilee celebration in 2022.
  • My hobbies are: Hiking, walking, Yoga, dancing and gardening. I am a proud Mom of two boys - Prem and Preetham Minchu.

Joint Secretary
Srikanta Rao

  • Mysuru, Karnataka
  • Member and volunteer since 2008; KEC 2021; KEC 2022

Treasurer
Prathima Murthy

  • Bengaluru, Karnataka
  • I have participated actively in Kaveri events since 2012. I was coordinator for Aralumallige magazine and Kannada teacher since 2021. Joined KEC in 2022 as Kaveri Youth coordinator and served as executive member in 2023. Part of Golden Jubilee event, helping with Registration, Stage management and coordination of programs.

Joint Treasurer
Sowmya Vinay

  • Mysuru, Karnataka
  • Actively coming to Kaveri since 2008, kids and I participated in many cultural activities including dances, dance dramas, emceeing etc. Volunteering in Kannada Kaliyona as a teacher for many years, currently serving as Director as well, volunteered actively in the Kaveri Golden Jubilee Registration Committee, Kaveri Youth commitee coordinator in 2023, KEC member in 2024, volunteered in Registration and as Emcee coordinator for AKKA 2024.
  • I love dance, reading, writing, traveling. Currently reside in VA with my husband Vinay Nagaraj and kids Samhita( who was Junior KYC 2014-2019) and Siddanth( an active KYC member and KYC president 2024)

Youth Coordinator
Sunil Kottary

  • Mangalore, Karnataka
  • I have been an active Kaveri Member since 2014. I participated in the 2015 Ganesha Festival Music Program and served as the Youth coordinator in 2024. Originally from Mangalore, Karnataka,
  • I now reside in Clarksburg, Maryland, with my wife and two kids. My hobbies, which I'm sure many of you share, include sports such as cricket, badminton, hiking, and yoga.

Youth Coordinator
Jayanth Kananur

  • Bangalore, India
  • In 2011, I became a life member of Kaveri after attending my first event, having recently moved from Boston where I was an active participant in the New England Kannada Koota, serving as Vice President for two years. Since then, I have continued to be an active member of Kaveri, including serving on the Kaveri Executive Committee in 2014 and 2018.I am also an amateur singer and actor, with a passion for performing in dramas that began in my elementary school days in Bangalore, India.
  • As one of the Youth Coordinators, I am excited to guide and inspire Kaveri youth, supporting their ideas and vision.

Executive Committee
Subbu Karanth, PHD

  • Sringeri, Karnataka
  • I am an active member of Kaveri since 2017, and serving as a KEC member since 2024. I have been volunteering at various Kaveri activities including MCing, stage set-up, and organizing Kaveri Idol for the past several years. I am a former Kaveri Idol winner and a member of local Kannada karaoke group ‘Gaanasudha’. Hailing from Sringeri, currently living in Germantown, MD with wife Ashwini and two boys, Rishabh and Ritvik. Looking forward to meeting new Kannadigas at the 20205 Kaveri events!

Executive Committee
Kiran Chinivar

  • Bengaluru , Karnataka
  • I have been involved with Kaveri from 2007. From the past couple of years I have been involved with Kaveri 50th Committee for Stage Management, and also been part of 2022 KEC Committee and closely involved in organizing and executing Kaveri Cricket Tournament.

Executive Committee
Bindu Gururaj

  • Bengaluru, Karnataka
  • 2019: worked as an extended committee for KYC 2020: KYC coordinator 2021 and 2023 worked with the team as a kaveri executive member. 2022 worked as kaveri executive committee and in decoration team for kaveri 50th. 2024: worked from kaveri as AKKA Meravanige lead.

Executive Committee
Srinivas Anandarao

  • Bengaluru, Karnataka
  • I have been actively involved with Kaveri since 2021, participating in various activities and serving as the Youth Coordinator for the Kaveri 2024 Committee. Currently, I reside in Aldie, VA, with my wife and son. In addition to my personal commitments, I actively invest in the stock market, which has become a rewarding and enjoyable hobby.

Executive Committee
Chandra Nayan Uttarkar

  • I am an active member of Kaveri since 2022, and serving as a KEC member since 2024. I have been volunteering at various Kaveri activities including photography and food set up during Kaveri events. A passionate photographer and an avid arts and culture enthusiast, volunteered as photographer in many events in DC area. Looking forward to an exiting year ahead as a KEC member.
  • Married to Dr. Ashwini Mallappa, Senior Medical Director at AstraZeneca, is a huge supporter of Kaveri and its activities.

Executive Committee
Kota Gopalakrishna

  • Koppa, Karnataka
  • I have been an active Kaveri member since 2019. Actively volunteered in audio-video committee during Kaveri 50th year celebrations. Active participant in Kaveri events such as 5K run/walk, sports events and cultural programs. Active sports enthusiast, playing cricket, tennis, volleyball and badminton. Active theater performer, performed in several Rangavartula productions. Living in Ashburn, VA with wife Bhuvana Gopalakrishna and kids, Akash and Avani.

Auditor
Vinay Kalachar

  • Member of Kaveri since 2016.Served as an Executive Committee member in Kaveri during 2022 and 2024.Served as core member of Kaveri 50th Decoration and other committees and spent more than 150-200 hours to build Hampi Chariot(Ratha).Served as core/lead member of AKKA 2024 Decoration committee and spent more than 300 hours to build Kannada Bhuvaneshwari and other decorations items.* Performed at both the events Volunteered at various Kaveri activities including stage set-up for Kaveri events and Kaveri picnics.
  • Artist and sculptor