Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Sep 25: The Konkani Natak Sabha (KNS) has announced the prestigious Kalakar Puraskar 2026, sponsored by Michael D’Souza and family (Dubai) under the Vision Konkani initiative. The honours will be presented during the 83rd annual day celebrations of the KNS, scheduled for Sunday, September 27, at 5:00 pm at the iconic Don Bosco Hall here.

Vocal legend Meena Rebimbus, acclaimed actor Vincent Alwyn Rebello, and versatile stage artist Lawrence Saldanha have been selected to receive this coveted honour in recognition of their decades-long dedication and outstanding service to Konkani theatre and regional performing arts.

Each award comprises a cash prize of Rs 25,000, a ceremonial shawl, traditional fruits and flowers, a citation plaque, and a memento. The award was generously instituted by Michael D’Souza and his family to support, preserve, and promote the rich heritage of Konkani culture.

Meena Rebimbus

Born on November 21, 1946, in Jeppu, Mangaluru, Meena Rebimbus is the eldest daughter of Louis Baptist and Mary Pinto. Her musical voyage began at the tender age of 16 when she made her theatrical debut singing for Eddie Netto’s play 'Pokkade Galate'. A regular competitor at the prestigious KNS singing competitions, she showcased her leadership and vocal prowess early on by guiding the Jeppu parish choir to a historic hat-trick victory to claim the rolling trophy.

In 1963, she lent her voice to the play 'Doth Maka Naka', penned by the legendary Wilfy Rebimbus. This marked the inception of an iconic artistic alliance that spanned over four decades. On January 20, 1970, she married Wilfy, becoming his life partner and an indispensable pillar of his monumental musical journey.

Across an extraordinary career, she has performed in more than 300 plays, collaborating with celebrated playwrights such as Sunny A D’Souza, Henry D’Silva, Bams, and Eddie Padval. Her memorable stage vocals graced prominent productions, including 'Nandeche Karbar', 'Kristavank Shivank Diya', 'Tisri Cheet', 'Kedi Bona B A', 'Aunkar Mayechi Katha', 'Bernadeth', 'Santh Antonichi Tera Ajapam', 'San Don Bosco', 'Khursacho San Zuvanv', 'David Ani Goliyath', and 'Mother Theresa'. Beyond the stage, she rendered playback vocals for landmark Konkani films, including 'Mog Ani Maipas', 'Bhogsanne', 'Kazara Upranth', and 'Padri'. As a composer, her evergreen track 'Naach Tuka Yeta Tar Naach Moga' from the play 'Modhyaner Yevnchi Naad' remains a cherished classic in Konkani music.

In recognition of her peerless contribution to Konkani arts and culture, she has been decorated with prestigious honours, including the Sandesha Award and the Millennium Maina Award, alongside venerated community titles such as 'Konkan Maina', 'Konkani Podanchi Rani', and 'Shatamananthli Adarsh Pothin'.

Vincent Alwyn Rebello

Born on November 11, 1950, into the Rebello family of Kajjuhitlu in Derebail, Vincent Alwyn Rebello is the seventh among eight children of Joachim Santan Rebello and Agnes Nazareth.

He completed his primary education at the Holy Family School, Derebail, and his high school education at Canara High School. He went on to earn a diploma in electrical engineering from Karnataka Polytechnic (KPT) in Mangaluru. After rendering 15 years of service at MCF, Panambur, he established his own venture, Rebello Electrical Services, running it successfully for over 30 years to support his family. On May 19, 1980, he married Bertha Pinto of Mulki, and the couple is blessed with three children.

He has served as the president of ICYM, St Vincent de Paul Society, Catholic Sabha, Holy Cross Club of Mumbai, Rachana, and the Senior Citizens Club. An accomplished actor, director, singer, master of ceremonies, and outstanding auction master, he has dedicated many years of service as a member of the KNS and served on its managing committee.

Having acted since his youth, he has contributed extensively to theatre, taking part in numerous plays and competitions staged by the KNS. He has acted in acclaimed plays such as 'Bombaygar Novro', 'K D Bona B V', 'Compounder Monna', 'Maai Maka Aapoinaaka', 'Director Joki', 'Natalanchi Sann’am', 'Vincent-achem Bhav', 'Mister', 'Dilam Tem Gelam', 'Novo Christaov', 'Pailwan Pandit', 'Doro', 'Dubavacho Dhumvor', 'Chor Sorgar', 'Aangoyilli Aangovn', 'Swarthi', 'Kalok', 'Mazrachi Davli', 'Jillu Water', 'Aami Nathlya Vellar', 'To Maka Naka', 'Bheshtoch Dubav', 'Sotham Patlem Khoth', 'Kazarachi Dothorn', 'Mestrichi Dhuv', 'Babachim Potlim', and 'Agustin Khoyn Aasa'.

He also directed the plays 'Ekach Rukachim Follam' and 'Compounder Kerper'.

Lawrence Saldanha

Born on July 2, 1946, into the Camp Saldanha family, Lawrence Saldanha is the eighth among nine children of Casmir Saldanha and Helen Gonsalves of Urwa parish.

He has been a farmer since his youth, supporting his family through the cultivation of paddy, vegetables, and sugarcane. Despite health challenges, he continues to cultivate vegetables alongside his wife. He married Stella on May 16, 1970, and currently resides in Urwa parish with their five children.

At the age of 15, he joined the Urwa Pompeii Sodality and has since carried out immense work for the parish. As a playwright, lyricist, and singer, he has written and performed songs in both Konkani and Tulu. He is also a skilled player of traditional percussion instruments like the ghumat and tamki. He has trained teams for fancy dress competitions at the KNS, in the parish, and across schools, leading them to numerous awards.

His theatre journey began at the Urwa parish hall with the play 'Lip’llem Soth', penned by the late Nobby Siqueira of Urwa. He went on to act in several religious plays, including 'Somiyacho Pashanv' and 'Sordaracho Sinol', as well as numerous productions by the Kala Sampath troupe, often providing music for these plays. He earned great acclaim for introducing innovative concepts and training teams from Urwa parish in the KNS fancy dress competitions, winning awards for years. He also composed and tuned the ghumat song 'Jezuchi Jini'.

Past recipients of KNS awards (2014–2025)

• 2014: Anthony Samuel (Tony Ruzai) was honoured with the KNS Award.

• 2015: The honours were conferred upon Adolphus Cutinha (Dolla) for the James Mendonca Award, Rita Fernandes for the Norbert Cordeiro Award, and Vincent Dias for the Austin Prabhu Award.

• 2016: Dolphy Lobo received the James Mendonca Award, while Arthur Rasquinha was presented with the Austin Prabhu Award.

• 2017: The James Mendonca Award was presented to Emilda Nazareth, the Norbert Cordeiro Award to Eddie Sequeira, and the Austin Prabhu Award to Dolphy Saldanha.

• 2018: Theresa Miranda (Meena Ruzai) bagged the James Mendonca Award, Claude D'Souza received the Norbert Cordeiro Award, and Albert Peris took home the Austin Prabhu Award.

• 2019: Peter Furtado was bestowed with the James Mendonca Award, Mabel Kent with the Norbert Cordeiro Award, and Joseph Pinto with the Austin Prabhu Award.

• 2020: Arthur D'Souza received the James Mendonca Award, Charles Sequeira was awarded the M P D'Sa Award, and Gretta Rebello was presented with the Austin Prabhu Award.

• 2021: Mary Lobo received the James Mendonca Award, and Alwyn Fernandes was honoured with the Austin Prabhu Award.

• 2022: John M Permannoor was presented with the James Mendonca Award, while Joseph Rego was conferred with the Austin Prabhu Award.

• 2023: Jochil D'Souza was honoured with the James Mendonca Award, alongside Francis Fernandes who received the Austin Prabhu Award.

• 2024: The James Mendonca Award, Norbert Cordeiro Award, and Austin Prabhu Award were presented to Fr Ronald Serrao, Jerome Moras, Martin D'Souza, Lucy Mascarenhas, and Prem Lobo.

• 2025: The Michael D'Souza Award (Vision Konkani) was conferred upon Victor Correa, Vincent Correa, and Molly Fernandes.