Ash at World Kannada Meet

It was a relaxing day-out for Ash and Abhi, as they turned up for Big B's new production Buddha's mahurat. Take a look.

Bollywood beauty Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was a special guest at the inaugural ceremony of the second Vishwa Kannada Sammelana at Belgaum, Karnataka on March 11.

Ash looked resplendent in a saree. She shares a light moment with Karantaka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa.
The 37-year-old actress, who has Mangalorean roots, attended the event in defiance of a Shiv Sena request that she reject the invite. The Shiv Sena alleged that Maharashtrians are discriminated against in Belgaum.
Ash looks gorgeous as ever.

Keeping Ash company was Infosys chief, Narayan Murthy, who inaugurated the meet. Narayan Murthy's appearance has been dogged by criticism from Kannadiga purists who maintain that he rejects Kannadiga for English in public.
Ash, Narayan Murthy and Chief Minister Yeddyurappa light the inaugural lamp
40,000 delegates are attending the three-day literary and cultural event in Belgaum, which will cost the government a reported Rs 30 crores, and is aimed at promoting Karnataka's language and culture.

A View of Vishwa Kannada Sammelana procession in Belgaum on Friday.

Ash and Narayan Murthy are among those of Kannadiga origin who've made it big nationally and internationally. Other prominent Kannadiga actresses in Bollywood include Deepika Padukone and Shilpa Shetty
Some writers had objected to the prominence given to Narayan Murthy, accusing him of speaking in English at public events rather than Kannada.
He countered those arguments with these - in Kannada. "I have worked in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Pune, Paris so I know some other languages. But in my heart I am always a Kannadiga. My language at home is Kannada - even if my business language is English...When I come to Bangalore and drink the coffee - that is when I feel good," he said to massive applause.