Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (RJP)

Mangaluru, Jan 23: The 24th annual Sandesha Awards, instituted by Sandesha Foundation for Culture and Education were presented to six eminent personalities on Friday, January 23 in a glittering ceremony at Sandesha premises here. 

The awards were presented to renowned veteran Konkani singer Henry D'Souza, noted Tulu actor Navin D Padil (art), Dr C Veeranna (literature), Dr Jayamala Ramachandra (media), and Jayalaxmi Damle (best teacher). 

Ace Guinness record holding swimmer Gopal Kharvi was honoured with the Sandesha Special Recognition Award. The selection was made by a jury which consisted of Na D'Souza, Dr Na Damodar Shetty, Sara Abubakker, Chandrakala Nandavar, Eric Ozario and Richard Louis.

The programme started with a prayer composed by Irine D’Cunha and tuned by Melwyn Peris. Fr Victor Vijay Lobo welcomed the gathering.

Na D’Souza explained how the selections were made this year. He said the jury chose the best after a thorough study of the personalities and no applications or recommendations were accepted.

Bishop of Puttur diocese Rev Geevarghese Mar Divannasios presided over the ceremony and presented the awards. Bishop of Ballari Dr Henry D'Souza, bishop of Mangaluru diocese Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza were chief guests. Noted literary figure Boluvaru Mohammed Kunhi was the guest of honour. Na D’Souza, president of the jury committee, Fr Ivan Pinto, Roy Castelino, president of Konkani Sahithya Academy and Fr Jayaprakash D’Souza were also present on the dais.

Henry D'Souza who received the Sandesha Konkani Music Award said that he was born in a remote highland place away from city. But still he made it big in Konkani music. He thanked all his fans from around the world for supporting him.

Acknowledging the honour, Dr C Veeranna who received the Sandesha Literature Award, said "The freedom of writers has been curtailed. If a writer from Tamil Nadu declares in social media that the writer in him is dead and if a book is banned in Karnataka for its open views, it means freedom of expression is in danger. If anybody writes about Valmiki’s caste, let us accept it as truth until someone researches on it and declares something contrary as truth. Let us not put barriers on freedom of a writer."

Dr Jayamala Ramachandra who received the Sandesha Media Award said "I have acted in more than 75 films in various languages. My path was not a bed of roses. I struggled a lot in life to reach here. The sea and sand of this land made me strong. Sand makes you get up when you fall and tells you to walk again. I am proud to be a daughter of this land. But unfortunately Dakshina Kannada is not as mighty as before. Religious harmony does not exist like before. This is not good. Let us try to bring back the past glory." Dr Jayamala also appreciated the logo of Sandesha which she said treated man and woman as equals.

Navin D Padil who received the Sandesha Art Award said, "I am very happy to receive this award in the presence of eminent people. I thank everybody who helped me to grow as an artiste. Though I am known as a comedian, I do not want to tell a joke here as someone will tell me that it is an old joke. I will only repeat a dialogue of my drama." Padil then delivered a dialogue of his drama where he had played the role of a drunkard.

Jayalaxmi Damle who received the Sandesha Best Teacher Award said how unique children are. She said, "Every child is different and unique. They may not all excel in studies, but they are good in something or the other. All children act differently for social, cultural and economic reasons. But all of them have some treasure in them. Let us bring out the best in them. I as a teacher am happy about my achievements."

Gopal Kharvi who received the Sandesha Special Recognition Award said, "I had achieved the Guinness Record in 2012. But for some technical reasons it was not recorded. Then again I tried and made sure that I did it. Nothing in life is difficult. I am the first Konkani speaking person to achieve this. I thank Eric Ozario and all who helped me."

Bishop of Puttur diocese Rev Geevarghese Mar Divannasios in his presidential address asked the people to devote time for more practice in any form of art. Reverend Bishop who himself is an accomplished Carnatic singer and violinist stressed the point of good deeds in life in order to be a good human being, in addition to the artistic ability of an artiste. He narrated the story of Malayalam film ‘Ganam’ to convey the message of perfection.

The guest of honour, Boluvaru Mohammed Kunhi said, "As Dr Jayamala said, this place has not remained the same. There are many tensions here. If any award for wicked persons is to be given, then there are many in this district who deserve the award. On a serious note, I request the organizers to give 20 awards to the youth every year so that they do not go on the wrong way in life. Every person in this society does wrong things because he does not get recognition. When one is recognized, he does not venture into wrong things.

"There is no religion which sees women at par with men. All religious books were written by men and for men. I am sorry to say this on this stage," he added.

Fr Ivan Pinto proposed vote of thanks. Mallika Ajith Shetty compered the programme.

In the cultural programme which followed later, dances by from St Joseph’s College, Jeppu and Nach Sobhann were performed. Maria from Brazil, who studies Indian dance at Sandesha, performed Belle dance. Henry D’Souza sang 'Sangche Kithem Hay Hay', one of his famous compositions.

Sandesha media committee convener Titus Noronha, Fr Denis D’sa, Luvi J Pinto, Fr Francis Rodrigues, Fr Richard D’Souza, Melwyn Peris, Stany Alvares, Aloysius D’Souza, Sr Antony Mary, Vincy Pinto, Anil D’Cunha, Daya Victor Lobo among others were present.