The countdown has begun for the 8th Navika World Kannada Summit 2025, a grand global gathering of Kannadigas, to be held from August 29 to 31 at the state-of-the-art RP Funding Center in Lakeland City, Florida. Organized by the Navika (NRI Kannadigas) organization, the summit promises three power-packed days celebrating Kannada language, art, culture, and global unity.
At a recent press conference in Bengaluru, Navika President Shivakumar, conference convener Harshit Gowda, veteran actor Pranayaraja Srinath, director Nagathihalli Chandrashekar, and singer Alok Babu (All OK) shared insights into the upcoming celebration.
Veteran actor Srinath highlighted the emotional resonance of the summit, “Kannadigas living across the globe carry deep-rooted sentiments of their homeland. Events like this let them reconnect, relive, and celebrate those emotions through art, language, and togetherness.”
1A Grand Cultural and Intellectual Confluence at World Kannada Summit
The summit will feature a wide range of forums and events including Business Forum, Women’s Forum, Youth and Literary Conferences, Poet’s Meet, Art and Theatre Programs, Science and Spiritual Dialogues.
From musical concerts to cricket tournaments, and from short plays to panel discussions, the event will bring together global Kannada talent and audiences.
A vibrant Dasara-style jumbo procession will kick off the celebrations, with global Kannada groups representing different districts of Karnataka through folk arts, traditional attire, historical reconstructions, and cultural tableaux.
Star-Studded Lineup
Cultural icons including Ramesh Aravind, Rakshit Shetty, and Srinath are confirmed to participate, along with top performers from Karnataka. Musical maestro Manomurthy and rapper-singer All OK (Alok) will headline a sensational musical evening.
Eminent guests including Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, cabinet ministers, and revered Swamijis from prominent Mutts have been invited and are expected to grace the occasion.
A Call to All Kannadigas
Navika and its Florida partners—Srigandha Kannada Koota (Tampa), Orlando Kannada Koota, Nandi Kannada Koota (Miami), and Savi Kannada Koota (Jacksonville)—are coming together to make this summit a global celebration of Kannada pride.
“Let this be a celebration of unity, identity, and people power,” said Convener Harshit Gowda, urging Kannadigas from all walks of life to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime cultural extravaganza.
