Mangaluru: Renovated Don Bosco Hall to be inaugurated on Jan 27


Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru Jan 19: The renovated Don Bosco hall will be inaugurated on January 27 by police commissioner N Shashikumar, disclosed Fr Paul Melwyn D Souza, president, Konkani Natak Sabha .
Addressing the media here on Tuesday, January 19, Fr Paul Melwyn D Souza said, "The renovated hall will be blessed by the Bishop of Mangaluru diocese Dr Peter Paul Saldanha.

Provincial minister, Holy Trinity province, Karnataka, Dr Alwyn Dias will be the chief guest, while managing director, Al-Mazroui and Clevy Automobiles, Abu Dhabi, Leo Rodrigues, rector, St Aloysius Institutions, Fr Melwyn Pinto, Santhosh Sequeira from Santhosh Arrangers, will be present. The formal program will be followed with a cultural program by Konkani Nataka Sabha members.

The Don Bosco Hall took birth in 1948 through the Konkani Nataka Sabha. The theatre was backed by the concept of religious achievement, moral values and lifestyle through plays. The hall has provided opportunities to stage plays, musical programmes, Yakshagana and different performing art forms. It also has the credit of being the first ever theatre in coastal Karnataka. 

Konkani Natak Sabha was the brainchild of the Jesuit priest Rev Fr George Albuquerque Pai. On September 19, 1943, he had successfully staged a Konkani drama 'Vignant Jeeth' at the Academy Hall of St. Aloysius College by mobilizing a few enthusiastic, budding youth of the then Mangalore. This occasion proved to be the initiation for establishing the Konkani Natak Sabha. Hence it is considered to be the Foundation Day of Konkani Natak Sabha. 'Natak Dwarim Dharmic Saadhan' is the motto of Konkani Natak Sabha. Conservation of Konkani culture through Konkani songs, music, dance, drama and other language based media, and through this,  propagation of humanistic values is the sole objective of Konkani Natak Sabha.

The Konkani Natak Sabha , founded by Rev George Albuquerque Pai, was continued, nurtured and groomed by a Capuchin priest Philip Neri. In its initial years, the Milagres School premises served as the venue for the meetings, dramas and other activities of Konkani Natak Sabha. At the same time, the search had begun for having its own premises for Konkani Natak Sabha. As a result, a roadside property at Balmatta Road near Hampankatta was purchased and registered in 1946. Rev. Fr. Richard, the Capuchin provincial head laid the foundation stone on September 19, 1948.

Though raising funds for the construction of the building proved to be a difficult task, Jesuit priest George A. Pai and Capuchin friar Philip Neri took it up as a challenge and completed the building construction project with the help of various generous donors. St. Don Bosco was chosen as the patron and guardian of Konkani Natak Sabha. Hence the building came to be known as Don Bosco Hall. The new auditorium was blessed by Rev Fr. Julian D'Souza; Vicar Jeral (Shresta Guru) of Mangalore Diocese on August 19, 1951 and the then collector Sri Rajaratnam inaugurated it. On this occasion, a play 'Sapan Va Nij Gazal', written by M P D'Sa was performed on the new stage.

Over the last 70 years of its existence, Don Bosco Hall has provided a platform for thousands of artists, dramatists, singers and music composers to introduce and showcase their talents. This hall, which has a history of seven decades, is now renovated into a stunning modern theatre. It is all set to host artistic performances by the exponents of theatre, music and dance. There are also facilities for conducting various training programmes in art. In all, 272 drama and performance artistes of 14 different units are the members of Konkani Natak Sabha. There is also a women's unit.

Vice president Liston Derric D Souza, general secretary Floyd D' Mello, treasurer Gerald Concessao, executive member Cletus Lobo, assistant secretary Praveen Rodrigues, public relations officer Raymond D' Cunha were present.

 

 

  

Top Stories

Comment on this article

  • Cyril G.Sequeira, Valencia, Mangalore

    Thu, Jan 20 2022

    Congratulations and Best wishes to Fr.Melwyn Paul D'Souza, Listen Derick D'Souza, Exceutive n Managing Committee members and the entire team who worked hand in hand for the renovation of our prestigious Don Bosco Hall. Long live Konkani Natak Sabha!

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dev, Mangalore

    Wed, Jan 19 2022

    Glad to see some historical buildings are restored while some like Shivaram Karanth got demolished. I remember as a kid attending a few wedding celebration in the old building and seating arrangement was unique. Eagerly waiting to see how they have maintained the old with combination of modern architecture complementing the Smart City Tag.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ben D'Souza Prabhu, Mangalore, Bombay Bandra now in Canada

    Wed, Jan 19 2022

    It is a Very Good and Encouraging News for our dear Konkani Sabha People. Happy that wiith so much of efforts and expense the renovation work is being now completed. A very happy occasion for all our friends !!!

    DisAgree [4] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joseph and Ina D'Souza, Mangalore

    Wed, Jan 19 2022

    Congratulations Fr. Melwyn for the timely accomplished job. Brov

    DisAgree [4] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • H. Almeida., Bendur/Andheri.

    Wed, Jan 19 2022

    Readers, Don Bosco hall was a prominent landmark in Mangaluru, it was a diplated structure.. finally it has been renovated... Congratulations !!!!

    DisAgree [4] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • CA Ned Dcunha, Mangalore/Chikmagalur

    Wed, Jan 19 2022

    Nice move. Brings back so many nice memories.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse


Leave a Comment

Title: Mangaluru: Renovated Don Bosco Hall to be inaugurated on Jan 27



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.