Media release
Mangaluru, Feb 15: The 78th anniversary of the Konkani Natak Sabha was celebrated at the newly renovated Don Bosco Hall on Sunday.
Vice president of Konkani Natak Sabha Liston D' Souza welcomed the gathering. The annual report of the various activities conducted by Konkani Natak Sabha was presented by general secretary Floyd D’mello.
The president of Karnataka Pathrakathara Sangha Maharashtra Rajya, Rons Bantwal was the guest of honour for the programme. Speaking on the occasion, he said art and culture started along with human civilization and every person by birth is an artist. Art plays a major role in cleansing the human conscience, he opined adding that artists and thinkers of theatre, and patrons of the art and culture should actively support the work done towards the wellbeing of the society.
President for the occasion Fr Paul Melwyn D'Souza addressed the gathering and expressed his warm gratitude to every donor for contributing generously towards the renovation of Don Bosco Hall. He also urged everyone present here to extend their full support to Konkani Natak Sabha for it's upcoming activities so as to keep the Konkani art and culture alive.
On this Occasion, Dr Austin D'Souza Prabhu Kalakar Puraskar 2020 was awarded to senior artist Charles Sequeira of Bejai and James Mendonca Kalakar Puraskar 2020 was awarded to Mary Lobo of Urwa.
Dr Austin D'Souza Prabhu Kalakar Puraskar 2021 was awarded to Gretta Rebello of Bejai and James Mendonca Kalakar Puraskar 2021 was awarded to Alwyn Fernandes of Valencia for their outstanding contribution to the Konkani dramas.
The Kalakar Puraskar included a shawl, a citation, memento, fruits & flowers and a cheque of Rs 10,000.
Guest of honour Rons Bantwal was felicitated for his outstanding contribution towards the society as a journalist.
Treasurer Gerald Concessao proposed a vote of thanks. Joint secretary Praveen Rodrigues was present on the dais. The programme was compered by Dolphy Saldanha.
As a part of cultural activity for the day, popular revolutionary social drama “K D Bona BA” scripted by Amar Wilfy Rebimbus and directed by Dolla Manglur was staged to the enjoyment of a huge audience.