Media Release
Mangaluru, Jan 6: “The Mandd Sobhann Mho'ynyalli Manchi (Monthly Theatre) is an achievement worthy of the record books. By providing a platform for artistes, this series has brought great honour to Konkani. The government should honour the Mandd Sobhann organization for such an achievement and assured his cooperation in this matter,” said MLC Ivan D'Souza at the inauguration of the silver jubilee year of Mandd Sobhann’s monthly theatre series at Kalaangann on January 4. In a packed amphitheatre, he inaugurated the programme in a unique way by turning a modelled sugarcane juicer to reveal the names of 289 monthly theatre programmes.
The guest of honour, entrepreneur and philanthropist Austin Roach, Bengaluru, symbolically launched the organization’s revamped website 'www.manddsobhann.org', an e-Library of Konkani books – ‘e-Bongsall’ (a portal for Konkani literature), and 'konkanishow.com' (a site for information on Konkani programmes) by opening the door of a traditional granary (Bongsall/Bandasale). Keron Madtha, who worked on these projects, provided the information. Vikas Lasrado of the Mandd Sobhann team, along with Ajay D’Souza and Prinson Cardoza of TechHarmonix, who provided technical assistance were honoured.
Austin Roach was felicitated for his support to the monthly theatre series. Praising Mandd Sobhann’s works, he said, “We must have pride in our language. Work must be done to use, preserve, and promote the language. It is easy for us to give financial help. But it is impossible for us to do such diverse cultural work so systematically, punctually, and continuously. For this achievement, the president and committee of Mandd Sobhann are worthy of appreciations.”
Welcoming and introducing the programme, president Louis J Pinto said that as Eric Ozario envisioned, ‘Kalaangann should not remain just a building; Artistic work must flourish continuously’, led to the monthly theatre project. “Today, this project has entered its 25th year. This is indeed a record in the world of art, he said congratulating Mandd Sobhann, all the artistes, and the audience who achieved this feat.
On the occasion, the ‘Eric Ozario Amritotsav Research Grant – 2026’ sanction letter was handed over to Jasmine Lobo, Agrar. Under the grant of Rs one lac, a study will be conducted on the subject: ‘Gumott Songs – A Linguistic Study (Historical, Linguistic, and Socio-Cultural Background)’.
Mandd Sobhann secretary Rony Crasta and treasurer Sunil Monteiro were present on the stage. Vitori Karkal compered the formal stage programme.
Thereafter, a musical concert was performed as the 289th monthly programme, by Prajoth D’Sa, a software engineer working in Australia. Sonal Monteiro, Cleon D’Silva, Ayush Menezes, and the Blue Angels Choir accompanied in singing, and Russell Rodrigues, Rishikesh Upadhyaya, Joswin Dcunha, and Milton Braggs accompanied in the music.