Detroit: The curtains on the World Kannada Conference hosted by the Association of Kannada Kootas of America (AKKA) at the COBO convention hall came down with the message, "We have a deficit, donations from generous Kannadigas are most welcome".

This clarion call to Kannadigas came from AKKA financial committee chairman Bahadur to make up for the deficit of $ 50,000 that the organisation has incurred in conducting the meet. On a simple front, the collections – from registrations, donations and advertisers – raked in $ 575,000, while the expenditure incurred was $ 625,000.

AKKA president Amarnath Gowda, however later speaking to www.thatskannada.com, said that he was confident of making up the deficit with contributions from generous people. Gowda was extremely happy with the overwhelming response to the conference despite the absence of Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna.

Karnataka's department of culture director C Somashekhar said that the people of Karnataka were proud of their Kannada "brothers and sisters" in the US who had contributed to making the world conference a great success.

Gowda provided an over view about the arrangements, help and co-operation extended to him and his team to make the occasion a memorable one. He handed over "Kannada Lamp" to the office bearers of Kannada Koota of Florida, the venue for next World Kannada Conference in 2004.

A wide variety of cultural events marked the highlights of the concluding day. Various Kannada koota members and their families across US waited for their turn to perform. Bharata Natya dance performance by Sridhar and Anuradha, orchestra and a host of dance and song features enthralled the audience till late on September 2 morning 2.00 am local time (Detroit, Michigan).

The Sugama Sangeeta contingent from Karnataka headed by Muddu Krishna also had to await its turn to perform. It was only at 1.00 am (local time) that the troop could get a chance to perform. Ratnamaala Prakash, (Yava Mohana Murali) Malati Sharma, Appagere Thimmaraju (Chellidaru Malligeyaaa) and group song by the above with B K Sumitra and Muddukrishna (Jaya Bhaarata Jananiya Tanujaate) were pleasing to hear.

Muddukrishna and his team were visibly upset that they could not get sufficient and suitable time to perform. The artists were heard grumbling in the lobby "To sing one song there was no necessity for us to come to US all the way from Karnataka".

AKKA joint treasurer Ranga Tirumala and group rendered songs in Karnataka classical music.

Karnataka's cultural minister Rani Satish honoured Gowda, Bahadur and AKKA convenor Dr Kudur Murali at the valedictory function.