Kannada Koota New York is reshaping diaspora experience: Badari Ambatti

We always like to prioritize youth needs, says President Badari Ambatti of Kannada Koota New York.

By Aishwarya Singh and Venky Raghavendra

Badari Ambatti is the president of the Kannada Koota New York, which was established in 1974. The Association upholds Karnataka’s and India’s culture with an aim to celebrate heritage, foster community among Kannadigas in Long Island & New York, and empower future generations through cultural events, language preservation, and educational initiatives. When Badari and his wife Roopa Thathaprakash, originally from Bengaluru, settled in Garden City Park, NY, along with their daughter Shreya Ambatti, their journey culminated in impactful community work. Their goal now is to instill a sense of belonging, promote volunteerism, and deepen appreciation for our roots among the next generation, individuals and families, with the support of the enthusiastic committee.

Badari Ambatti spoke with Aishwarya Singh and Venky Raghavendra about the organization’s most exciting new activities, vision for the future and the involvement and ownership of youth in the mission.

READ: World Kannada conference celebrates the reach, influence of the diaspora (September 4, 2016)

Badari, it’s so nice to be speaking with you today. We know you’re driving the New York Kannada Association enabled by your team and committee members. Tell us what the most exciting upcoming activities are. 

Thank you for this opportunity. It’s a very busy summer for us with a whole array of events coming up. On Tuesday, April 9, on the joyous occasion of Ugadi [the Kannada New Year], we have an event featuring the voices of talented kids of the Association along with Nanu RJ of Namm Radio. Shortly after, on Sunday, April 14, 2024 we are hosting the Layatharanga Live Concert featuring a night of great music and food with a fundraiser to help further our cause. We have lots more going on, including a Fusion Experience with renowned flutist Dr. Pravin Godkhindi and our Annual Picnic at Cunningham Park which receives wide participation from diaspora members.

That sounds like a very exciting summer with lots of engagement coming up. We know you try to bring a new lens to everything you do. Can you talk more about it?  

Our vision is to unify our community through hands-on events that foster shared leadership, volunteerism, and personal and professional growth among youth and members. We aim to instill a sense of belonging in our youth, promote leadership, project planning, and execution, and encourage volunteerism within our organization.

Recent innovative opportunities for our youth include coding workshops and radio anchoring led by Shruthi Srikanth, cultural workshops like Gombe Habba [Festival of Dolls], and arts & crafts during our annual events. To cater to the seniors, we have activities like fall prevention workshops by Nithesh Krishnappa, pilgrimage tours by Sheela & Gopal Subramanimum, and the NYC Trolley Bus Experience. For the adventure-minded, we offer exciting experiences like hiking, sailing, and rock climbing.

You and the Association at large have done an incredible job of roping in young people into the mainstream activities of the Association. What is your secret sauce for that? 

We always like to prioritize youth needs, fostering their sense of exploration and a sense of belonging. We’ve enrolled Kannada Koota New York in the US Presidential Service Awards program, recognizing volunteers with Gold, Silver & Bronze medals. This initiative helps youth build impressive resumes and stand out in college applications. To inspire volunteering, we provide pre-event coaching through team-building activities, fostering bonds and friendships. Our Executive Committee members also mentor and connect with them.

Our celebrity performers conduct workshops with youth before events, facilitating direct interactions. We organize Gombe Habba workshops, fostering curiosity and understanding towards our culture. During COVID, our youth engaged with underprivileged students, raised funds and donated 80 Android tablets for virtual education.

That’s incredible work and something that other associations can emulate perhaps. What are your aspirations and goals for the future of the Association?

During my tenure, we aim to strengthen connections among youth, seniors, and all community members, fostering a sense of unity and belonging, promoting mutual support during times of need, inspiring youth to contribute to community and leadership, encouraging volunteerism, bridging our roots from Karnataka to New York, and advancing innovative initiatives for community growth and resilience.

(To find more exciting events by the Kannada Koota New York, visit their Facebook page.)

(Aishwarya Singh is a media innovator and podcaster. You can follow her on Instagram at @aishwaryasinghs. Venky Raghavendra is a social entrepreneur and a contributing editor at the American Bazaar.)