Sri Sarvotham Shetty – A Torchbearer of Kannada Culture in the Gulf

Sri Sarvotham Shetty, originally from Pareekha, Udupi, is a pioneering cultural ambassador who has tirelessly served the Kannada and Tulu communities in the UAE for over 45 years. A B.Com graduate from R.A. Podar College, Mumbai, and a former banker with Syndicate Bank, he later became General Manager at International Distribution Establishment in Abu Dhabi, before launching his own business.

A passionate dramatist and cultural organizer, he founded Kalajagathu in Mumbai and played a key role in establishing Karnataka Sangha Abu Dhabi, UAE Bunts, Tulu Koota, and Namma Tuluveru. He was the first Kannadiga unanimously elected as President of the India Social & Cultural Centre, Abu Dhabi.

He has also served as Board Director of Abu Dhabi Indian School since 1998 and promoted Throwball in the Gulf, organizing the Koosamma Shambu Shetty Memorial Tournament for 30 years.

His honors include:

• Karnataka Rajyotsava Award (1998) for ‘Horanadu Kannadiga’

• Aryabhata International Award (2008)

• Mayura Vishwa Kannadiga Award (2017)

• Lifetime Achievement Award (2018) and over 15 other global recognitions.

Sri Shetty is also:

• President, UAE Bunts (over 40 years)

• President, Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha (since 1981)

• President, Yakshadhruva Patla Foundation Trust®, UAE

• Executive Member, Indian Business & Professional Group, Abu Dhabi

• NRI Member, Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy

With his wife Usha and children Samarth and Samyuktha, he continues to be an inspiration and a beacon of Karnataka’s culture abroad.