Mangalore: Dolla receives Konkani Kutam Bahrain Annual Award
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (NM)
Mangalore, Jul 29: Konkani Kutam, Bahrain conferred its 12th ‘Konkani Kutam Award’ on Avitas Adolphus Cutinha (Dolla Mangalore) at a ceremony held at St Sebastian Hall, Bendore here on Sunday July 28.
The award presentation ceremony in itself was a tribute of sorts to the great comedian for the peals of laughter that it evoked among the audience throughout, interspersed with nostalgic and sentimental moments too.
MLA J R Lobo, Fr Denis D’Sa, PRO, Udupi diocese was the chief guest while C G S Taccode, renowned Konkani writer was the guest of honour. They presented the award consisting of a cash prize of Rs 50,000, a memento, a shawl, fruits and citation to Dolla. Leslie Rego read out the citation.
Accepting the honour, Dolla thanked Konkani Kutam Bahrain for choosing him for the award. "When I was down you took me to the top. When I got a call from Richard Moras (convener) about the award, I was shocked and happy, I did not sleep that night," he said.
Growing nostalgic, Dolla recalled his journey and struggle through the years. "Artistes may look carefree on the outside, but in reality they work very hard and struggle a lot. My father was a joker in the circus and that is how my life got connected to humour.
"I had the desire to become an artiste but I had stammering problem because of which I was turned down. I then got a chance to enact a speechless role in a Konkani drama, which is how my journey as an actor began," he said.
Recalling his association with and showering rich tributes on Konkani Kogull the late Wilfy Rebimbus, Dolla said, "When I met the late Wilfy Rebimbus my life found a new direction. We were co-workers at a welding shop and later as our friendship grew, I became magician for Wilfy Nites. He was a great man. It is was he who suggested that I take the stage name of 'Dolla'. In fact, I came to know that my actual name was Avitas Adolphus Cutinha only when I needed my birth certificate at the age of 20.
"I then formed the comedy trio of Dol-Fel-Chal with Felix and Charlie, and we were part of Wilfy Nites from the 100th to the 200th show," he said.
He thanked Wilfy Rebimbus and family, United Youngsters Jeppu who supported him, and a number of Konkani assocations who helped and recognized him.
Fr Denis D'Sa in his address said that Dolla had played the second fiddle as he worked behind the scenes, and congratulated Konkani Kutam Bahrain for recognizing him and for silently nurturing Konkani. He lauded Dolla for rendering 50 years of service to Konkani.
In a speech that had a generous dose of humour, he spoke on the imporatance of laughter and narrated several anecdotes. "Situation and timing are most vital in comedy. In both aspects, Dolla has created a revolution in Konkani," he added.
J R Lobo lauded Konkani Kutam Bahrain for recognizing Dolla's talent and said, "It is important to have all kinds of people around us, especially those who make people laugh. Dolla is a gifted actor. This recognition will also be an encouragement to others."
C G S Taccode spoke about the struggles Dolla had gone through and said that though he was dogged by poverty, on stage he made people laugh. His speech too was sprinkled with humour and anecdotes.
Convener of Konkani Kutam, Bahrain Richard Moras welcomed the gathering, while Titus Noronha compered and Vittori Karkal proposed the vote of thanks.