Mangalore: State Konkani Sahitya Academy Honours Babitha D'Sa, Muralidhar Kamath

Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NM)

Mangalore, Sep 1: Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy on Saturday September 1 felicitated popular singer Babitha D’Sa and music composer Muralidhar Kamath for their contributions to Konkani culture in their respective fields.

The felicitation ceremony was organized at the cultural centre of the Academy here. After felicitating the two, Kasargod Chinna, president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy lauded both the awardees for contributing their talent to Konkani and enriching it.

Listing out the upcoming programmes of the academy, he said, "Konkani Teacher’s Day will be organized on September 5 in the city for those who are presently teaching the language in various schools. A similar function will be organized in Kumta," he added.

In addition, he informed that ‘Konkani Utsav’ will be organized from November 21 to 25. "The programme will see three hours of entertainment in various forms like folk, art, music and drama by students, women and children," he said.

Speaking on the need for involvement of more youths in the academy, he said, "The academy does not belong only to Eric Ozario, Basti Vaman Shenoy, Baliga or me. Young leaders should come forward and take up the responsibility to take the language and its culture forward," he urged.

Arun Raj Rodrigues, well-known dramatist and orator inaugurated the occasion.

Roy Castelino, member of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy welcomed the guests and the gathering.

M R Kamath, former president of Konkani Cultural Sangha, Mangalore and Dr Devdas Pai, registrar shared the dais.

Eric Ozario, Venktesh Baliga and others were present.

Young talents Lavita Lobo, Dylan, Arthur Lobo, Sanjoy Rodrigues and others delighted the audience for an hour with Konkani songs and music.