Kannada actor and producer Daali Dhananjaya and his wife, Dr. Dhanyatha Gauraklar, have revealed the name of their four-month-old son on Ganesh Chaturthi 2026. The couple has named their baby Ereya, a name rooted in Kannada history and tradition.
The announcement comes as the family celebrates the festival with their son for the first time. In a new interview with The Times of India, Dhananjaya spoke about how becoming a father has changed the way he looks at familiar traditions and everyday life.
Daali Dhananjaya and Dhanyatha Reveal Son’s Name
Dhananjaya and Dhanyatha chose Ganesh Chaturthi as the occasion to introduce their son, Ereya, to the public.
The couple also shared the significance behind the name. According to the note accompanying the announcement, “Ereya” is an ancient Kannada title meaning “Lord, Master, Sovereign.” The name was historically used as a respectful title for kings and rulers.
The name also has a historical connection to the Chalukya dynasty. The couple noted that Ereya was the childhood name of the Chalukya emperor Immadi Pulakeshi, giving the name an additional connection to Karnataka’s history.
The couple described their son as the “little ruler” of their lives and the “king” of their hearts.
Dhananjaya Says Ganesh Chaturthi Feels Different This Year
For Dhananjaya, this year’s festival carries a meaning he had not experienced before.
Speaking about celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi with his son for the first time, the actor said having a child changes the way familiar traditions are experienced. He explained that he now imagines seeing the festival through his son’s eyes and hopes Ereya will one day remember these celebrations as part of his childhood.
The actor also said parenthood has changed his and Dhanyatha’s priorities. Their work and ambitions once occupied much of their attention, but becoming parents has made them more conscious of the environment and example they want to provide for their child.
Dhananjaya on the Father He Wants to Be
Dhananjaya said he is still learning what it means to be a parent, but he already has a clear idea of the relationship he hopes to build with Ereya.
He wants his son to feel comfortable approaching him, particularly when things are difficult. Rather than deciding his son’s future for him, Dhananjaya said he wants to give Ereya the confidence to make his own choices and learn from his mistakes.
The actor also said he hopes his son grows up to be a kind and grounded person rather than feeling pressure to achieve a particular version of success.
“More than anything,” Dhananjaya said in the interview, he hopes Ereya becomes a “good, sensible human being.”
Dhananjaya and Dhanyatha Welcomed Their First Child in May
Dhananjaya and Dhanyatha welcomed their first child, a baby boy, on May 2, 2026. The actor shared the news on social media at the time, announcing the arrival of their son.
The couple had married in Mysuru on February 16, 2025. Dhanyatha is a doctor, and the couple had largely kept their personal life private before gradually sharing moments surrounding their journey into parenthood.
In July, Dhananjaya shared the first photograph of himself with his newborn son. The baby’s face was not shown, and the actor captioned the post, “Every promise begins with love.”
The family has now taken another step in introducing their son publicly, with the name Ereya carrying a distinctly Kannada and historical identity.
A New Chapter for Daali Dhananjaya
Dhananjaya continues to balance his acting and production work with his new role as a father. But his comments surrounding Ereya suggest that fatherhood has also changed how he approaches the quieter parts of life.
For the actor, Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 is therefore more than another annual celebration. It is the first festival he and Dhanyatha will experience with their son — and the beginning of memories they hope Ereya will carry with him as he grows up.
