Pics by Dayananda Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Aug 15 : Veteran Konkani playwright John Baptist D Souza, well known to many in Konkani theatre as J B D Souza Kulshekar was conferred the first Karavali Konkan Kala Award this evening (15-8-2011) at a glittering ceremony held at Don Bosco Hall. Veteran Konkani dramatist, writer and musician Prof Alban Castelino, who presided over the award ceremony, conferred the award on J B D Souza, Kulshekar in the presence of thousands of enthusiastic Konkanis who had assembled in large number. The award carried a citation, shawl, flower, memento and a cash award of Rs. 50,000/- given by Karavali Konkans, Mangalore.
In a gesture that augurs well for Konkani writers and dramatists, Daiji Rang Mandir, Dubai UAE, added its contribution of Rs. 25,000/- to the existing award instituted by Karavali Konkans and by putting together their combined contribution a total cheque of Rs. 75,000/- was presented to J B D Souza, by the chief guest of the occasion Hemacharya (Stephen Mascarenhas), editor of Daijiworld Weekly.
It was a befitting honour for J B D Souza, known to his closest friends as ‘Bathu Kulshekar’, who has rendered relentless service to Konkani theatre as a writer, director and actor spanning over a period of four decades.
That he received a standing ovation from the crowd when he was presented with the award, speaks volumes of his talent, his passion and dedicated service to Konkani. Karavali Konkans also honoured the veteran artiste by staging his play “Ragthachi Kanik”, written almost 25 years ago, after the award presentation ceremony.
President of Karavali Konkans Leslie Rego, who welcomed the gathering, read the citation in honour of J B D Souza, Kulshekar, said J B D Souza is a paragon who has enriched Konkani theatre with his 30 odd plays and numerous skits written in Konkani and also in Tulu and Kannada. In his welcome address Leslie Rego pointed out that award is a small but significant effort on the part of Karavali Konkans to recognize and honour senior theatre personalities and also in its efforts to keep Konkani theatre alive and vibrant. Leslie also stated that Karavali Konkans would confer this award every year on veteran artistes who have rendered humungous service for the betterment of Konkani theatre and language.
Hemacharya in his address expressed his concern over the declining or rather vanishing Konkani theatre. “It was the most common people who helped to keep alive our language and literature. Their effort to keep the language vibrant and energetic has played a stellar role in giving the required strength for the language to keep itself alive and flourish overcoming obstacles”, he stated. He gave a clarion call to Konkani writers not to push Konkani to a corner and also urged Konkani-speaking people to support the language through their patronage. .
Prof Alban Castelino in his presidential address pointed out those empty seats in halls where Konkani plays are staged, is a testimony to the harsh but known not that Konkani theatre is on the decline. “The hunger or thirst for Konkani theatre is on the wane but can be revived with the concerted efforts of Konkani writers and artistes”, he stated. He also called upon Konkani writers to come out with good plays saying “if the plays are good people would come forward to support it”.
Prof Alban congratulated Karavali Konkans for their thoughtful efforts of honouring a Konkani writer like J B D Souza, who has not aspired for any publicity and chose to maintain a low profile.
J B D Souza’s daughter Jane Shanthi D Souza, spoke on the occasion on behalf of her father expressed her family’s heartfelt thanks and gratitude for Karavali Konkans and other organizations and individuals for honouring J B D Souza.
It was 65th Independence Day and befittingly the programme began with the singing of the national anthem. Writer Archie Fernandes and Dolla escorted J B D Souza to the dais. The organizers also honoured Dolla, who directed the play of J B D Souza, staged today. J B D Souza’s wife Josephine Mary D Souza was also honoured with flowers by the organizers.
President of Karavali Konkans Leslie Rego, Secretary Claude D Souza and principal sponsor of the event Ujwal D Souza, partner Marian Projects, Pvt Limited, were also present on the dais. Claude D Souza proposed the vote of thanks. Premal Pinto compered the programme.
The Play “Ragthachi Kanik”:
Though J B D Souza is said to have written this play almost 25 years back, the theme of the play “Ragthachi kanik” (gift of blood) and the issues it raised are highly relevant even after all these years. The social play tackled the issue of exploitation of women by men and the society and many other social issues afflicting the society even to this day and the deleterious effects such wanton misuse of women has on the entire family. The play directed by Dolla and Claude D Souza as Asst Director kept the audience on the tenterhooks till the end. The play was a deadly mix of emotions, family values and ultimately the suspense element was too good to be ignored, though in between it dragged a bit too much.
The performance of lead actors of the play Aloysius D Souza, Rita Fernandes and Leslie Rego was of high caliber and so was the comedy dual played superbly by Richard Sequeira and Melvin Almeida and succeeded in tickling that funny bone among the audience. Music for the play was by Satish Surathkal and stage set up by Alwyn Bajal and they added to the effects of the play.
The tremendous response elicited by this play proves beyond doubt that given a good play people would patronize it.
The packed audiences at the Don Bosco Hall today are a witness to this reality and it really portend well for Konkani theatre.