BACKGROUND

KARNATAKA KAYASTHAS COME TOGETHER

KARNATAKA KAYASTHA SAMAJ (KKS) traces its roots way back to 1980 when the KARNATAKA KAYASTHA SABHA (KKS) was founded, with the initiative taken by a small group of Kayastha community members for the purpose of bringing together the then minuscule community of Kayasthas living in Bangalore. Commendable efforts were put in by the first few Presidents and Secretaries like Mr. J. B. Mathur, Mr. V.S. Bhatnagar, Mr. R. P. Srivastava, Mr. S. N. Bhatnagar, and Mr. V.K. Bhatnagar in addition to the yeomen services put in by the founding members in the list below:

Small gatherings were held, at least quarterly, and the community was able to interact and preserve their culture. Holi and Diwali Milan were held and most importantly Chitragupta Pooja was performed with great enthusiasm by the then small number of 30 to 40-member Kayastha families in Bangalore.

EARLY DAYS OF KARNATKA KAYASTHAS

In 1986 it was registered as KARNATAKA KAYASTHA SABHA (KKS) and new energy was infused by successive Presidents namely Mr. K. M. Mathur, Mr. Ajeet Khare, Mr. Prabhat Argal, Dr. P.S. Bhatnagar, Mrs. Indu Argal, Mrs. Kiran Rawar, Mr. Shirish Mathur, Mr. A.M. Mathur, Mr. G.P. Mathur, Mr. Rahul Kumar, Mr. Shambhu Verma, Mr. Rajkumar Srivastava, and Mr. Animesh Bisaria. This was ably supported by the ebullient team of Secretaries, Treasures, and many other committed executive committee members.

The respective teams organized well-attended Holi & Diwali functions; Teej and informal get-togethers & most eagerly awaited yearly PICNIC with lots of cultural programs, skits, function shows fancy dress & competition for children in creative writing, painting, and public speaking, culminating in the selection of the best all-rounder. To encourage the youngsters & to recognize their academic achievements, the KKS instituted “The Dr. Rajeshwar Prasad Argal scholarship” and the “S. B. Mathur scholarship”. At various functions, members came forward to sponsor prizes to encourage the youth.

Some of the memorable events of KKS were a Fund Raiser, a glittering evening of dances by the famous (late) Pratima Bedi & her dance troupe at the Chowdiah Memorial hall, Gazals by singer Ram Nagraj late into the night, and “KKS Silver Jubilee Celebrations” – a classical dance program at St. John Auditorium in Koramangala. The KKS hosted competitions in culture & sports, involving senior members, workshop & guidance sessions for the youth & bubbly enjoyable programs for the tiny tots.

List of Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers (1980-2023)