Date of Establishment:ಸ್ಥಾಪನೆಯ ದಿನಾಂಕ: 26-04-1938

Nadina Hiriya Makkala Samstheನಾಡಿನ ಹಿರಿಯ ಮಕ್ಕಳ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆ
Akhila Karnataka Makkala Kootaಅಖಿಲ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಮಕ್ಕಳ ಕೂಟ
(All Karnataka Children’s Association)(ಅಖಿಲ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಮಕ್ಕಳ ಕೂಟ)
Brief Introductionಸಂಕ್ಷಿಪ್ತ ಪರಿಚಯ

1) Establishment೧) ಸ್ಥಾಪನೆ

Akhila Karnataka Makkala Kootaಅಖಿಲ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಮಕ್ಕಳ ಕೂಟ was founded with the objective of ensuring the overall development of children through games, educational, and cultural activities, nurturing their creativity and talents and shaping them into ideal citizens.

The organization was established on 26 April 1938 by renowned writer and social worker Smt. R. Kalyanamma.

The inaugural function was held at the Kannada Sahitya Parishat Hall under the guidance of B.M. Srikantaiah. The inauguration was performed by Princess Vijayalakshmi, sister of Maharaja Jayachamaraja Wadiyar of Mysore.

Started in 1938 with encouragement from eminent personalities of the state, the organization has grown to become one of Karnataka’s oldest and most prominent children’s institutions.

2) From Courtyard to Building೨) ಅಂಗಳದಿಂದ ಕಟ್ಟಡದವರೆಗೆ

The beginning of the Makkala Koota was simple and inspiring. Children who played in the streets were gathered in the evenings and engaged in organized games, storytelling, speeches, and cultural activities.

Initially, activities were conducted in front of a house of Smt R Kalyanamma in Chamarajapet 3rd Cross and later in the courtyard of Rameshwara Temple. During holidays, children were taken on short excursions to places like Lalbagh, Cubbon Park, museums, and other places of interest in Bengaluru.

Later, activities were shifted to Shankar Mutt premises and eventually to a larger playground space. Today, the organization functions in a spacious building with a large playground where children’s programs are regularly conducted.

3) Daily Evening Activities೩) ದೈನಂದಿನ ಸಂಜೆ ಚಟುವಟಿಕೆಗಳು

Every day after school, children gather in the playground. They participate in:ಪ್ರತಿದಿನ ಶಾಲೆಯ ನಂತರ ಮಕ್ಕಳು ಆಟದ ಮೈದಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ಸೇರುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಅವರು ಇದರಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾಗವಹಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ:

• Games and physical activitiesಆಟಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ದೈಹಿಕ ಚಟುವಟಿಕೆಗಳು
• Cultural programsಸಾಂಸ್ಕೃತಿಕ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಗಳು
• Celebration of national festivalsರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ಹಬ್ಬಗಳ ಆಚರಣೆ
• Competitions
• Literary and educational activitiesಸಾಹಿತ್ಯಿಕ ಮತ್ತು ಶೈಕ್ಷಣಿಕ ಚಟುವಟಿಕೆಗಳು

Children between the ages of 6 to 14 regularly attend and benefit from these programs.೬ ರಿಂದ ೧೪ ವರ್ಷದೊಳಗಿನ ಮಕ್ಕಳು ನಿಯಮಿತವಾಗಿ ಈ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾಗವಹಿಸಿ ಪ್ರಯೋಜನ ಪಡೆಯುತ್ತಾರೆ.

4) Summer Camps೪) ಬೇಸಿಗೆ ಶಿಬಿರಗಳು

With changing times, children no longer spend long vacations in villages as before. To provide meaningful engagement during holidays, Makkala Koota has been organizing month-long summer camps for the past 57 years.

Activities include:

• Outdoor and indoor games
• Literary competitions
• Civic education
• One-day excursions
• Skill development activities

Food arrangements are provided. Around 300 to 500 children participate each year.

While many organizations conduct short-term camps, Makkala Koota is unique in conducting a structured, month-long camp for decades without commercial promotion.

5) Children’s Conferences೫) ಮಕ್ಕಳ ಸಮ್ಮೇಳನಗಳು

Since 1938, the organization has conducted 30 Children’s Conferences.

These conferences are unique because:

• Children themselves act as presidents.
• Children conduct the programs.
• Adults serve only as guides.

The conferences include:

• Presidential processions
• Literary competitions
• Exhibitions
• Drama, music, and dance performances

These conferences have been held in Bengaluru, Chikkamagaluru, Tumakuru, Kolar, and other districts.

Special conference souvenirs featuring children’s writings and contributions from senior writers are also being published.

6) Special Publications೬) ವಿಶೇಷ ಪ್ರಕಟಣೆಗಳು

Established in 1938, the organization has celebrated:

• Silver Jubilee (25 years)
• Golden Jubilee (50 years)
• Diamond Jubilee (60 years)
• Amrita Jubilee (75 years)
• 80th Anniversary Celebrations

On these occasions, special souvenir volumes were published, contributing significantly to Kannada children’s literature.

7) Activities of the Association೭) ಸಂಘದ ಚಟುವಟಿಕೆಗಳು

From the beginning, children were engaged in:

• Traditional indoor and outdoor games
• Storytelling
• Singing
• Dance, drama etc
• Rangoli competition
• Drawing
• Doll-making
• Cultural training

Festivals like Ganesh Festival, Independence Day, and Ugadi are celebrated enthusiastically.

Daily attendance ranges between 300–400 children from surrounding areas.

Many former students of the Koota now serve as organizers and trainers in the Makkala Koota, continuing the legacy.

8) Children’s Magazine

Smt. R. Kalyanamma greatly contributed to Kannada children’s literature by encouraging young writers.

She introduced a special children’s section called “Makkala Bavuta” in a monthly magazine and later launched a dedicated children’s monthly magazine under the same name.

Many eminent writers served as editors of this magazine over time.

9) Publication of Children’s Books

Through regular children’s literary programs, many authors narrated stories and songs for children.

The organization published:

• Story collections
• Poetry collections
• Children’s plays

Books written by prominent authors were published through Makkala Koota.

10) Visits by Eminent Personalities

From its inception, many noted literary figures supported the organization.

Several national and state leaders visited and appreciated the activities.

Among the distinguished visitors were:

• Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
• Vice President B.D. Jatti
• Chief Minister S. Nijalingappa
• Sir C.V. Raman

They praised the services rendered to children.

11) Awards Received

For its exemplary service in nurturing children and promoting literature, the organization has received several awards:

• State Government Recognition (1983)
• Karnataka Bal Vikas Academy Award (2010)
• Alva’s Nudisiri Award (2013)
• Karnataka State Department of Women & Child Development Award (2014)
• Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Kempegowda Award (2014)

12) Present Office Bearers

Since its founding by Smt. R. Kalyanamma, the organization has been guided by dedicated committees.

The current executive committee includes:

• President: Sri K. Mohan Deva Alva
• Vice President: Prof. K.P. Narasimhamurthy
• Treasurer: M.G. Venkatesh
• General Secretary: Sri S.V. Venkatachalam
• Joint Secretary: K. Murali

Along with several active committee members who continue to lead and serve the organization with dedication.