Karavali Konkans to celebrate 20th Anniversary
Daijiworld Media Network –Mangaluru (EP)
Mangaluru, Aug 10: 'Karavali Konkans', which will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year, will host the sixth edition of Karavali Konkans Award at Don Bosco Hall on Tuesday, August 15 at 5.45 pm, where it will present the award to the renowned veteran Konkani dramatist , Antony Samuel, popular known as Tony Samuel.
The award consists of Rs 50,000 cash, a plaque and a memento.
Konkani drama 'Swachh Bharath' written by Joel Pereira will be staged on the same occasion. The play which is bound to give value addition to Konkani dramatics is a new creation by Joel, and is based on a contemporary concept. Talented and established actors are cast in the play directed by Dolla Mangaluru and assisted by Claud D’Souza.
‘Geet and Jivit’ book will be released during the occasion.
‘Geet ani Jivit’, is a book in Konkani dedicated to late Wilfy Rebimbus by Konkani writers. It is a tribute by Konkani writers, on his 75th birthday celebration. The book contains the essays, poems and fond remembrances of those writers who were close to him since his childhood.
The book is compiled and edited by Marcel M. D’Souza, (Machcha Milaar) on behalf of Senior Konkani Litterateur Friends, Mangaluru and the book is published by Genesis Prakashan.
J R Lobo will preside over the function while Richard Moras, Konkani organiser, will be the chief guest.
Tony Ruzai
Tony Ruzai has grown popular among the Konkani-speaking people, especially through his plays.
Born at Mylapore, Madras on August 2, 1944, Antony Samuel was the only son of late Joseph and Flora Samuel couple. He completed his initial education in Madras and Bihar.
At the age of 8, Antony arrived at his hometown Mangaluru in 1952, where he continued his schooling at Rosario school. He secured his B A degree in St Aloysius College in 1966 and started teaching at Cascia High School as a teacher.
Tony secured a B Ed in Government College, Mangaluru, and went to Bombay for greener pastures in 1974, where he worked in different schools. He returned to Mangaluru in 1979. He worked in a government high school in Udupi for 8 years, and later in government high school in Hoige Bazar, Mangaluru.
Several contributors were responsible for this inclination towards drama. As a student at Rosario High School, his teacher Narayana, gave him an opportunity to get onto the stage for the first time. He made his debut with the Kannada drama 'Echama Nayaka'.
Some of his primary hobbies included writing articles, drawing, penning dramas, and acting them, and delivering speeches. His articles and poems were published in many Konkani newspapers.
After serving in the educational sector as a teacher for nearly forty years, he says he has received complete joy and satisfaction in it, and had a particular concern and love for students. His aim was to 'love and teach them'. Every student he taught loved and respected him. Many students still remembered him, he said.
His involvement in plays spanned over years. When in Rosario parish, Tony performed in the Konkani drama 'Chor tho Chor',at Don Bosco Hall in 1964. It was Tony Ruzai's Konkani drama debut. He said that the Don Bosco Hall became a second home to him, and arts, an abode after that.
Tony Ruzai was not only an actor but also a drama writer and director. He penned the plays Parivarthan(1965), Ek Dees Ek Rath, Tuje Kathir (1983) which won first prize in the drama competition, Upkar, Ek Moot Mathi, Bhari Bori Bail (comedy), Kopelanthli Khestavan (comedy), Country (comedy) and Shirap (translation of Bayya Mallige by Sanjiva Dandakeri).
Tony Ruzai acted in several Konkani social and spiritual plays by late M P D'Sa, late Luvi Netto, late V J P Saldanha and Benna Ruzai. Some of them include Somyacho Pashaun, Jezu Nazarene, Ankwar Muryechi Katha, Shirap for which he won the best actor award, Ami Nathellya Velar, Misther, Sardaranchi Sinol, Thisri Cheet, St Sebasthyaon, Aaz Naka Falyan, Chor Tho Chor, Khunigar Kon?, Kristavank Diya Simhank, and Dadar Cho Dada. He has also acted in English drama 'Count's Revenge' as a student of BEd, and won the best actor award for it.
Tony Ruzai and his wife Nancy live in Urva parish at present. They have five children - Ashok, Asha, Ashwath, Amitha and Amrith, all well settled.
In his suggestion to new drama writers, Tony Ruzai said, "Try to preserve the original beauty of Konkani dramas. Understand the audience and perform as per their taste. Try to preserve the cleanliness and beauty of the Konkani language."
About Karavali Konkans
Floated by an enthusiastic art loving group of youngster’s, the association was established at Special School Grounds on December 21, 1997. To mark the occasion, Karavali Konkans staged a 'Claud Nite'. Approximately 4000 music lovers witnessed the association's first musical show.
The association has since silently crossed milestones by promoting and recognising Konkani art and artistes. The association has organised four musical shows, staged seven Konkani plays and released three Konkani musical CDs so far. They have also organised four Konkani art and literature related events each.
To make the event of completing two decades, a memorable one, Karavali Konkans will host a spate of programmes. The first one will be the Konkani Play ‘Swachh Bharath’ on August 15.
To identify and recognise the efforts of Konkani dramatists, the association instituted the Karavali Konkani Kala Prashasti, which includes a citation, shawl, trophy and cash prize of Rs 50,000. The association has presented the award to five senior dramatists so far, taking into account their contribution to the field. Late J B D'Souza was the first recipient of the award, followed by Charles Sequeira, Benna Ruzai, Dolla, Mangaluru and Evelyn D'Silva. The association treats it as their duty as Konkans, to bestow honour on veteran Konkani artists with the award.
They have also contributed their might to the needs of Konkani Art and artistes, wherever a need arose.
President Leslie Rego, secretary Claud D'Souza, treasurer Simon Pinto, Roshan Sequeira, Anil Saldanha, Vivian Pinto, Joswin Pinto, Kiran Menezes, Ransom Saldanha, Merwin Pinto are members of Karavali Konkans.