Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai (MS)
Dubai, Feb 16: The 35th anniversary celebration of Dhwani Foundation, UAE was held on Friday February 14 at Emirates International School at Jumeirah here.
Dhwani Puraskara, an international award instituted by the Foundation, was conferred on the multi-talented couple Roshan Donald (Dony) Correa and Asha Roshani Correa, singers, stage actors, comperes and social workers for their immense contribution to society.
Ravi Hegde, chief editor of Kannada Prabha, Srinivas Kappanna, former president of Karnataka Nataka Academy and Dr H S Venkatesh Murthy, Sriranga awardee of 2020 were the chief guests of the occasion.
Honorary guest Prof Manda Venkataramana, winners of Nripatunga Kannada consolation prize Ravish Gowda, James Mendonca, Ramachandra Hegde and president of Dhwani Foundation Prakashrao Payyar were present.
'Maduveya Album', a Kannada drama written by Girish Karnad and directed by Payyar was performed by Dony and Asha Correa along with the local stage actors. Mudradi Natkadoor Namma Tuluver organization presented 'Dashanana Swapnasiddi', a drama directed by Sukumar Mohan. The artistes who acted in this drama had arrived from Mudradi.
About Dony Correa
Dony Correa was born at Pernal of Udupi district as the son of David and Eliza Correa. He was interested in cultural activities right from childhood.
Dony was the president of Shirva St Mary's Pre-university College. He bagged the 'Best Outstanding Leadership Award' and groomed his leadership skills in the institution. He has donned various roles like president of Indian Catholic University Federation, president of Famad Pernal, cultural secretary of ICYM Shirva varado and co-organizer of Daiji Rang Mandir.
Dony presently resides in UAE with his wife Asha Correa and children Diona and Delisha.
As singer
Dony is a talented singer in Konkani, Kannada, Tulu and Hindi movie songs, folk and baila songs. He has got a huge fan following and is famous as a seasoned singer.
Dony bagged the first place in the UAE-level singing competition organized by Mangalore Konkans. He was also awarded first runners up in the Gulf-level singing competition that was held in Kuwait.
'Hero Only Yours', Konkani music album, produced by Dony along with his wife Asha Correa is a superhit and loved by Konkani speaking people across the globe.
Dony has sung in various programmes organized in the Gulf nations like Victor Concessao Nite, Rangtarang, Dr Prashantraj live concert, Mogachi Lawrence concert, Manglur Konkans - Konkan Milan, Lancy Noronha Musical nite, Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, Tulukoota Dubai - Tulu Parba, Bellevision, Sambhram, Daijidubai - Daijidurbar, Feraritas, Vamanjoorians, Katpady Konkans, Udyavarites, Emirates Pangalites, Pamboor Welfare association, Vamanjoor Dives, Lourdes Kanajar, St Joseph's Betkati Belman, Puttur Associations and Kemmannu Flowers Dubai.
As stage actor
Dony, who has won appreciation for his marvellous acting in the various stage experiments that have taken place in the UAE, has acted in more than 30 dramas in Konkani, Kannada and Tulu languages. His special role in the Tulu movie 'Nirel' has won the hearts of cine goers.
The main dramas in which Dony has acted are 'Nagamandala', 'Hayavadana', 'Ashadada Ondu Dina' and 'Bali' organised by Dhwani Foundation UAE, 'Ganguna Gammath', 'Benpinori Tinpinori', 'Master Manipujer', 'Aapini Poora Eddege', 'Porludaye', 'Porlutoovade', 'Telikeda Barsolu' and 'Bayya Mallige' under the aegis of Gammath Kalavider and his own drama, 'Chintun Pole'.
Dony has participated in the Modern Theater training camp held in Dubai and has gained valuable experience through it and has given dramas with good social messages. In addition, he has acted in two Yakshaganas also.
As compere
Dony has presented his versatility by being the master of ceremony in various programmes throughout the Gulf that were held in Konkani, Kannada and Tulu languages.
The noteworthy among the programmes in which Dony has played the role of compere are Gulf Voice of Mangalore at Saudi Arabia in the year 2012, at Kuwait in 2014, at Oman and Saudi Arabia in 2016, Kevin Misquit Nite Oman, Victor Concessao Nite, Desert Music Awards, Little Flowers Mukkamar, Famad Dance Challenge, Rangtarang 2009, Famad Antakshari 2010, Varshik Milan Udyavarites, Katpady Konkans, Emirates Pangalites, Kemmannu Flowers, Ferariets Dubai, Vamanjoorites Dive, Lourde Kanajar and Belman Associations.
Dony has also compered Konkan Dabazo programme twice that took place in United Kingdom. He has also bagged best MC (Master of Ceremony) award from SMKC Dubai and St Aloysius College, Mangaluru.
He has also been honoured for his service to culture and society by Yaksha Mitraru Dubai, Gammath Kalavider Dubai, Little Flowers Mukkamar, Famad Pernal and Moganchi Laran Dubai.
Asha Correa
Asha was born as daughter of Titus Sequeira and Hilda Sequeira couple of Bantwal in the district of Dakshina Kannada. Asha had inclination towards art of singing and acting right from her childhood. Her talent got unveiled in various programmes in the Gulf. She has sung several songs in Konkani, Tulu and Kannada languages in her silken voice. In addition, Asha is well-known as a stage and Yakshanaga actor.
As singer
Asha's talent have unveiled in various cultural programmes like Musical evening, musical competition, yearly get together and sahitya sammelan, throughout the Gulf nations.
Konkani music album 'Hero Only Yours', which Asha co-produced with her husband Donald Correa is a superhit among the Konkans across the globe. The various singing programmes in which she has taken part throughout the Gulf are Gulf Voice of Mangalore at Saudi Arabia in the year 2012, at Kuwait in 2014, at Oman and Saudi Arabia in 2016, Kevin Misquit Nite Oman, Victor Concessao Nite, Desert Music Awards, Little Flowers Mukkamar, Famad Dance Challenge, Rangtarang 2009, Famad Antakshari 2010, Varshik Milan Udyavarites, Katpady Konkans, Emirates Pangalites, Kemmannu Flowers, Ferariets Dubai, Vamanjoorites Dive, Lourde Kanajar and Belman Associations.
As stage actor
Asha Correa has acted in more than 14 drams of Konkani language. Notable among them are Motlab Sansar, Ami Nathlya Velar. Under the aegis of Gammath Kalavider Dubai she has acted in eight Tulu dramas. Asha has also acted in experimental plays of Girish Karnad like 'Hayavadana', 'Ashadada Ondu Dina' and 'Bali' orgainzed by Dhwani Foundation Dubai. She has also acted in two Yakshagana plays.
As compere
In addition to her talent in acting and singing, Asha Correa is known for her ability to donne the role of a compere of huge programmes in the Gulf nations. The main programmes in which Asha has shown her talent of MC are Desert Music Awards, Little Flower Mukkamar, Famad Dance Challenge 2007, Rangtarang 2009 and Gammath Kalavider.
Awards and honours
Asha is conferred with the award 'Woman of Versatility' by Moganchi Lara Dubai. In addition she has been felicitated by Yaksha Mitraru Dubai, Gammath Kalavider Dubai, Little Flowers Mukkamar and Famad Pernal.
"Donald and Asha Correa, who have nurtured their artistic talents in spite of the work pressure, are really worthy of appreciation. We wish that the service to art by this talented couple may continue many many years to come," says B K Ganesh Rai of UAE.