Parichaya
A podcast and webinar series introducing one member of the North American Kannada community at a time.
NEXT TKSFF 3.0 · Planned for 2028
ಟೆಕ್ಸಾಸ್ ಕನ್ನಡ ಕಿರುಚಿತ್ರೋತ್ಸವಕ್ಕೆ ಸ್ವಾಗತ
Every Kannadiga in North America has a story.We give it a stage.
Avinya is a digital platform for Kannada cultural and linguistic initiatives. Our flagship — the Texas Kannada Short Film Festival — brings Kannadigas across the United States and Canada together through the power of film.
Texas Kannada Short Film Festival
Our flagship program · Highlights from TKSFF 2.0
YouTubeWhat we stand for
Four objectives hold everything together
Avinya was founded in 2023 to promote and preserve the cultural heritage of Karnataka and the Kannada language among Kannadigas living across the United States and Canada.
ಅ
Cultural Awareness
Celebrating Karnataka's traditions, customs and arts so they stay visible and alive far from home.
ಒ
Language Preservation
Keeping Kannada spoken, written and read — by the generation that arrived and the one growing up here.
ಪ
Community Engagement
One community, regardless of which city you landed in. A cohesive effort to unite Kannadigas across North America.
ಡಿ
Digital Outreach
Distance is a technical problem. We treat it like one — a platform that puts Vancouver and Atlanta in the same room.
2023
Founded
US & Canada
Open to all Kannadigas
Kannada
Language of the festival
501(c)(3)
Tax-deductible
Our flagship program
Texas Kannada Short Film Festival
ಟೆಕ್ಸಾಸ್ ಕನ್ನಡ ಕಿರುಚಿತ್ರೋತ್ಸವ
A thriving and engaging nonprofit festival that provides opportunities for Kannadigas across North America to celebrate the power of film, art and stories — to bridge cultures, showcase talents, and illuminate the universality of the human experience on a digital platform.
The charter
- A cohesive effort to unite Kannadigas across North America.
- A non-profit initiative to promote and preserve Kannada culture and heritage.
- To identify, nurture and provide a platform for creative talent, across every age group.
How it works
- Short films are to be made in the Kannada language only.
- Short and fascinating narrative stories.
- Produce films with or without expensive equipment.
- A North America–level Kannada community event, inviting participation from every city.
- An attempt to identify the talents of Kannadigas abroad.
Genres accepted
ActionAdventureAnimationComedyCrimeDramaFamilyFantasyHistoryHorrorMusicMusicalMysteryRomanceSci-FiSportThrillerWarWestern
On the roadmap
What we're building next
The film festival is where Avinya is today. These are the initiatives we intend to bring to the platform as the community grows.
Cultural Showcases
Online exhibitions of Karnataka's dance, music, crafts and story.
Language & Literature
Kannada storytelling and language-learning for children and adults.
Digital Dialogues
Sessions where thought leaders, artists and neighbours trade ideas.
Talent Shows & Competitions
Arts, sports, literature and technology — a stage for every skill.
Leadership Development
Grooming the next generation of leaders within the Kannada community.
Board of Directors
Who runs Avinya
Dr. Amarnath Laxminarayan
President
Chief volunteer officer of Avinya. He chairs the board, leads strategy and governance, and represents Avinya to the wider community.
Dr. Anuradha Tavarekere
Vice President
Acts for the President when required and takes on the duties the board assigns, working across programmes and community outreach.
Rohit Annigeri
Secretary
A product leader in the technology industry. As Secretary he keeps Avinya's records, minutes and governing documents, and makes sure required filings are made on time.
Prashanth Gowda
Program Director & Treasurer
A principal software engineer who studied at Bangalore University and holds postgraduate certificates in AI & machine learning and in cloud computing from UT Austin. He runs Avinya's programme calendar and its books.
Verified nonprofit
You can check every word of this
Avinya is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity. Our IRS status, our determination letter, our filings and our constitution are all public — here they are.
IRS 501(c)(3)
Tax-deductible
Listed in IRS Publication 78 Data with deductibility code PC — public charity.
- Legal name
- Avinya - A Digital Platform for Kannada Culturalingua Initiatives
- EIN
- 93-2554787
- IRS determination letter
- Issued 28 July 2023
- Publication 78 Data list
- Yes
- Deductibility code
- PC — public charity
- Most recent filing
- Form 990-N (e-Postcard), tax year 2024
- Registered address
- Leander, TX 78641
- Governing document
- Constitution v3.0, adopted 3 January 2025
Look us up on IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search
IRS determination letter (PDF)
2023 Form 990-PF (PDF)
Constitution & Bylaws (PDF)
Search our EIN, 93-2554787, on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search to confirm this independently. Contributions to Avinya are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. No goods or services are provided in exchange for a donation unless stated at the time of giving.
ಲೆಟ್ಸ್ ಇನ್ನೊವೇಟ್ · ಲೆಟ್ಸ್ ಯುನೈಟ್ · ಲೆಟ್ಸ್ ಬಿ ಅವಿನ್ಯಾ
A digital platform for
Kannada culture across North America.
InnovateUnitePreserveEst. 2023
Let's innovate. Let's unite.
Let's be Avinya.
Wherever you are in the US or Canada, there is a Kannada community waiting to hear from you.