Mangalore: James Lopez Conferred Kalaakar Award at Sparkling Ceremony

Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Nov 6: James Lopez was presented the 7th Kalaakar Puraskar instituted by Thomas Steevans Konkani Centre and Carvallo Gharane in association with Mandd Sobhann, by Kasargod Chinna, President of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy. James Lopez of Mother Teresa Brass Band, Honnavar, received the award for his contribution as an artiste of the brass band. The award carried a cash prize of Rs 25,000, a shawl, citation and a memento.

James Lopez speaking after receiving the award congratulated the institutions involved in instituting the award and also Mandd Sobhann for honouring him with the biggest award of his career. “This is the first time I am receiving such a big award and it would certainly inspire me further in my work”, said a beaming Lopez who credited his three brothers who are also the members of the band and other members for their support and contribution in him getting the award. “It feels great to know there are institutes who recognize people like us and honour us with award”, Lopez pointed out. Appreciating Mandd Sobhann Lopez said he was honoured to be recognized by Mandd Sobhann, the very institution and its leaders who inspired them to be what he is today.

Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy President Kasargod Chinna aslo congratulated Mandd Sobhann for the good work they have been doing for preserving and promoting our mother tongue Konkani. He pointed out that in the last 3 decades of his work in Konkani he has received the love of Konkani people and this unconditional love which still keeps him going and working with the same vigour.

He also stated that though Konkani is the only language spoken by about 42 groups there is lack of unity among these diverse groups which is a major hindrance for the unity and for the progress of language. “There is an urgent need to work to create a platform and work for the unity among various groups of Konkani speaking people”, he declared. Kasargod Chinna felt that award in itself is not a big achievement. But recognizing the good work done and them come searching to bestow the award is the greatest gift one can get from Konkani people.

Before the presentation of the award Fr Prathap Nayak of Thomas Steevans Konkani Centre (Goa), explained the reasons for instituting the award. He said that his family decided to institute the award instead of constructing a memorial for his dead parents. He also said the award does not make the recipient great or small but is a way of recognizing the artiste and his contribution to the society.

In the same function the book “Kannada Lipiyenthli Konkani Pustakan 1858 to 2010” (Konkani books in Kannada script 1858 to 2010) written by Gladys Rego was released by Fr Prathap Nayak, director of Thomas Steevan Konkani Centre. Earlier, President of Mandd Sobhann, introduced Kasargod Chinna to the assembled audience. Stany Alvares, President of MCC Qatar Richard D Souza, Fr Pratap Nayak, Roy Castelino of Konkani Prachar Samiti were also on the dais apart from the honoured guest James Lopez. Arun Rodrigues compered the programme.

119th Monthly Theatre

The stage programme was followed by play “Eksury Bayl” (lonely wife) based on the story of Rabindranath Tagores novel “Nasht Need” in the Moinyali Manchi programme of Mandd Sobhann. The play directed by Christopher, Neenasam and presented by Kalaaku7l – Konkani Natak Repertory, surely had the stamp of Ninasam in its treatment of the subject and also the presentation of the play. Except for the boring initial period, which went too slow to make an impressionable impact on the audience.

However, as the play progressed it did held the audience spell bound and goes to the credit of the play that the audience remained glued to their seats for nearly 2 hours. It was unique in its own way and the Neenasam touch was visible in the entire play. The director’s Neenasam training must have helped in the unique style of presentation of the play.

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