Karavali Konkans celebrate 20th Anniversary, ‘Geet and Jivit’ book released
Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network –Mangaluru (RJP)
Mangaluru, Aug 16: 'Karavali Konkans' celebrated its 20th anniversary in a grand manner on Tuesday, August 15 at Don Bosco Hall in city with many events clubbed together. Karavali Konkans annual award, which is in its sixth edition, was presented to renowned veteran Konkani dramatist Antony Samuel, popular known as Tony Ruzai.
The award consisted of Rs 50,000 cash, a plaque and a memento.
The occasion also saw the release of book ‘Geet and Jivit’ dedicated to late Wilfy Rebimbus by Konkani writers. It is a tribute by Konkani writers, on legend’s 75th birthday celebration. The book contains the essays, poems and fond remembrances of those writers who were close to him since his childhood. The book is compiled and edited by Marcel M. D’Souza, (Maccha Milar) on behalf of Senior Konkani Litterateur Friends, Mangaluru, published by Genesis Prakashan.
Konkani drama 'Swachh Bharath' written by Joel Pereira was staged to houseful audience.
The play dealt with contemporary issue of how bureaucrats and politicians took part in crime and in meting out injustice to people. The drama exposed the nexus in a funny manner throughout. Humour in drama was well appreciated by the audience.
Talented and established actors like Aloysius D’Souza, Shawn Rodrigues, Felix Lasrado, Alwyn Veigas, Nigel Pereira, Dimple Pinto, Nishma D’Souza, Jerome Moras and others acted in the play directed by Dolla Mangaluru and assisted by Claud D’Souza.
J R Lobo presided over the celebrations function and Richard Moras, Konkani organiser, was the chief guest. Leslie Rego and Claud D’Souza, the president and secretary of Karavali Konkans respectively, graced the dais.
Tony Ruzay thanked all his friends, fans, family and wife Nancy Samuel for helping to reach the heights in the field of drama.”I am indebted to all who helped me in my journey of dramas. I thank Almighty for the blessings he has bestowed on me all these years. I call upon the young generation to participate and support dramas. Drama has changed a lot over the years, but it always gives good message to society. I am extremely happy to receive this award on the feast of Assumption of Mother Mary. I am also overjoyed today as the honour comes to me on Independence Day. As a teacher I always stressed the need to be patriotic. I again request all to live as good and responsible citizens and help in nation building.”
Richard Moras lauded the efforts of Karavali Konkans in various cultural and social activities especially by holding dramas and honouring dramatists.
J R Lobo said, “There are many languages which are on the verge of extinction in the world. But the people can save a language by loving and speaking it. I urge the Konkani population to cultivate special regard for the mother tongue. I am happy to see Karavali Konkans reaching this milestone of 20 years today. They have done a lot for Konkani which can be seen in the number of audience here. If the work of organisations reaches the people properly, they will definitely contribute in preserving and nurturing Konkani.”
Sponsors and donors were recognised during the function.
Manu Bantwal compered the event. Leslie Rego welcomed. Claud D’Souza proposed vote of thanks.
Tony Ruzai
Tony Ruzai has grown popular among the Konkani-speaking people, especially through his plays.
Born at Mylapore, Madras on August 2, 1944, Antony Samuel was the only son of late Joseph and Flora Samuel couple. He completed his initial education in Madras and Bihar.
At the age of 8, Antony arrived at his hometown Mangaluru in 1952, where he continued his schooling at Rosario school. He secured his B A degree in St Aloysius College in 1966 and started teaching at Cascia High School as a teacher.
Tony secured a B Ed in Government College, Mangaluru, and went to Bombay for greener pastures in 1974, where he worked in different schools. He returned to Mangaluru in 1979. He worked in a government high school in Udupi for 8 years, and later in government high school in Hoige Bazar, Mangaluru.
Several contributors were responsible for this inclination towards drama. As a student at Rosario High School, his teacher Narayana, gave him an opportunity to get onto the stage for the first time. He made his debut with the Kannada drama 'Echama Nayaka'.
Some of his primary hobbies included writing articles, drawing, penning dramas, and acting them, and delivering speeches. His articles and poems were published in many Konkani newspapers.
After serving in the educational sector as a teacher for nearly forty years, he says he has received complete joy and satisfaction in it, and had a particular concern and love for students. His aim was to 'love and teach them'. Every student he taught loved and respected him. Many students still remembered him, he said.
His involvement in plays spanned over years. When in Rosario parish, Tony performed in the Konkani drama 'Chor tho Chor',at Don Bosco Hall in 1964. It was Tony Ruzai's Konkani drama debut. He said that the Don Bosco Hall became a second home to him, and arts, an abode after that.
Tony Ruzai was not only an actor but also a drama writer and director. He penned the plays Parivarthan(1965), Ek Dees Ek Rath, Tuje Kathir (1983) which won first prize in the drama competition, Upkar, Ek Moot Mathi, Bhari Bori Bail (comedy), Kopelanthli Khestavan (comedy), Country (comedy) and Shirap (translation of Bayya Mallige by Sanjiva Dandakeri).
Tony Ruzai acted in several Konkani social and spiritual plays by late M P D'Sa, late Luvi Netto, late V J P Saldanha and Benna Ruzai. Some of them include Somyacho Pashaun, Jezu Nazarene, Ankwar Muryechi Katha, Shirap for which he won the best actor award, Ami Nathellya Velar, Misther, Sardaranchi Sinol, Thisri Cheet, St Sebasthyaon, Aaz Naka Falyan, Chor Tho Chor, Khunigar Kon?, Kristavank Diya Simhank, and Dadar Cho Dada. He has also acted in English drama 'Count's Revenge' as a student of BEd, and won the best actor award for it.
Tony Ruzai and his wife Nancy live in Urwa parish at present. They have five children - Ashok, Asha, Ashwath, Amitha and Amrith, all well settled.
About Karavali Konkans
Floated by an enthusiastic art loving group of youngster’s, the association was established at Special School Grounds on December 21, 1997. To mark the occasion, Karavali Konkans staged a 'Claud Nite'. Approximately 4000 music lovers witnessed the association's first musical show.
The association has since silently crossed milestones by promoting and recognising Konkani art and artistes. The association has organised four musical shows, staged seven Konkani plays and released three Konkani musical CDs so far. They have also organised four Konkani art and literature related events each.
To identify and recognise the efforts of Konkani dramatists, the association instituted the Karavali Konkani Kala Prashasti, which includes a citation, shawl, trophy and cash prize of Rs 50,000. The association has presented the award to six senior dramatists till now taking into account their contribution to the field. Late J B D'Souza was the first recipient of the award, followed by Charles Sequeira, Benna Ruzai, Dolla, Mangaluru, Evelyn D'Silva and Tony Ruzai. The association treats it as their duty as Konkans, to bestow honour on veteran Konkani artists with the award.
They have also contributed their might to the needs of Konkani Art and artistes, wherever a need arose.
President Leslie Rego, secretary Claud D'Souza, treasurer Simon Pinto, Roshan Sequeira, Anil Saldanha, Vivian Pinto, Joswin Pinto, Kiran Menezes, Ransom Saldanha, Merwin Pinto are members of Karavali Konkans.