Media Release

Mangaluru, Nov 29: Konkani Natak Sabha (KNS) was founded in the year 1943 by Fr George Albuquerque Pai, S J and nurtured by the strenuous efforts of Fr Philip Neri D’Souza, OFM, Capuchin with a singular objective of spreading human values and empowering Konkani language and culture through song, music, art, dance and drama. The motto of the Konkani Natak Sabha being ‘Natakdvarim Dharmik Sadhan’ (service through stage).

The year 2018 is a landmark in the history of Konkani Natak Sabha as it completes 75 years of fruitful and effective service to all the people of coastal Karnataka and worldwide, especially to Konkani lovers.

Fr George Albuquerque Pai, S J, founder of KNS

Konkani Natak Sabha has been a cradle for numerous talents such as dramatists, musicians, singers, actors, dancers, public speakers and so on for the past 75 years. It has dedicated itself to the cause of Konkani, drama and culture.

Those were the days when some church-based youth associations were active social with religious ideals. At Jeppu parish the Catholic Action League (CAL) members excelled in music, singing and stage performances. Fr George Albuquerque Pai, S J of St Aloysius College recognized the multi-talented youngsters and motivated them to get organized.

So on September 19, 1943 some enthusiastic youngsters from Jeppu, staged playwright M P D’Sa’s ‘Vighnant zo’it’ Konkani play and ‘Kazarachi Dotorn’ short comedy play at St Aloysius College Academy Hall. On the same day, the Konkani Natak Sabha was formed by Fr George Albuquerque Pai, S J. Though he was founder of Konkani Natak Sabha, due to some reasons he could not accept the responsibility as its founder president. So the superior of St Ann’s Friary, Bejai was given the responsibility and thus Fr Cyril Andrade, OFM (Cap), superior of the Capuchin Friary became the first president of KNS (1943-1946). Fr Cyril was succeeded by Fr Philip Neri D’Souza, OFM (Cap), who served Konkani Natak Sabha for two terms (1946-1960 and 1962-1974) amidst several hurdles and hardships.

Fr Paul Melwyn D’Souza, OFM (Cap) is the president of the executive committee of KNS for the period 2016-18. Other members of the executive committee are Sunil Menezes, vice-president, Judith D'Souza, general secretary, Jossy Theodore, assistant secretary and Gerald Concesso as the treasurer.

The members of the managing committee of KNS for 2016-18 are Jerome Moras, Alwyn D’Souza, Liston D’Souza, Gerald Towers, Joseph James Martis, Ronald Tauro, Gretta Rebello, Floyd D’Mello, Victor Menezes, Michael Monteiro, Linsha Lobo and Praveen Rodrigues.

Co-opted members of KNS are Avitas Adolphus Cutinha, Cyril G Sequeira, Felix D’Silva and Raymond D’Cunha.

Various Competitions held by KNS

It was in 1965 that Konakani Natak Sabha started inter-parish Konkani singing competition for adults and children. It is still very popular and even today, attracts a large number of elders, youngsters and children.

Elocution competition helped and gave exposure to quite a number of children and youth to become good public speakers and a comperes. Apart from singing and elocution, KNS conducts short plays, fancy dress, dance, writing and reciting poetry competitions in association with Kavita Trust, Mangaluru, every year.

Words of appreciation about KNS from eminent personalities

On July 7, 1952, A R Rajarathnam, deputy commissioner of the then South Kanara district said, "The Konkani Natak Sabha, Mangaluru, is the only registered, charitable institution of its kind in Mangaluru. It provides the public with healthy, religious, moral and social dramas from time to time. It has collected funds by staging these dramas and helped many charitable causes during the past years of its existence. I was happy to take part in the opening ceremony of KNS at Don Bosco Hall on August 19, 1951."

On February 5, 1954, Valerian Cardinal Gracias, archbishop of the then Bombay said, "In providing a fine hall for its dramatic purposes, the society has taken upon itself a heavy financial burden. May the society’s efforts receive both intelligent appreciation for its cultural mission and practical support by the public.

on May 11, 1958 Prithviraj Kapoor of Prithvi Theatres, Bombay, said, "I have had the pleasure and privilege of performing my ‘Prithvi Theatres’ shows at the Don Bosco Hall for eight nights. I congratulate the Sabha for providing the beautiful town of Mangaluru with a beautiful stage. May God grant them strength to keep it up."

On March 2, 1963, Prof M Krishnamurthy said, "The Don Bosco Hall, in which we had the pleasure of presenting our dance recital, is undoubtedly a great asset to Mangaluru. Many towns of bigger size do not possess so good a hall as this one. We also appreciate the courtesy of the management of the hall."

On August 1, 1965, Basil S D'Souza, the then bishop of Mangaluru diocese said, "The Konkani Natak Sabha is an ornament of our community. The socio-religious service rendered by the Natak Sabha, during the past twenty-two years, is very vivid before my eyes. ‘Natakdwarin Dharmik Sadhan’(service through the stage) is its motto. There are many who spend their precious time to achieve the motto and to bring fame to the Konkani Christian Community. Chief among them are the Capuchin Friars, particularly Fr Philip Neri. After the late Fr George A Pai, S J, he is the father of the Sabha. I wish the Konkani Natak Sabha serve the people daily with a lighter heart."

On March 12, 1957, Sachin Shanker of Ballet Unit, Bombay said, "We had the pleasure of staging two dance dramas 'Ramyana’ and ‘The Fisherman and the Mermaids’ on March 9, 10 and 11 of 1957. That Mangaluru should have a hall of this capacity is a boon to the artistes, particularly praiseworthy were the green-room arrangements and the helpful hand lent by each and every person connected with the management of the hall.

Don Bosco Hall

From the beginning, the Konkani Natak Sabha had a Catholic priest as its president. Fr Cyril Andrade, OFM (Cap) was the first president, but he lent the services to Fr Augustine, OFM (Cap), who did all that was necessary for the first show of the sabha. Next came Fr Philip Neri D’Souza, OFM (Cap), who was relieved for a short period by Fr Eugene,OFM (Cap).

Fr George Albuquerque Pai, S J, from the very begininning till his transfer to Bengaluru, would be found on his bicycle visiting his acquaintances, informing them of the Konkani Natak Sabha and collecting funds. Besides this, he would give his valuable suggestions to improve the sabha. At the same time, but for the help and co-operation of the Capuchin friars, chief among them, Fr Philip Neri, the Konkani Natak Sabha would not have existed. Many would not have heard of the Assisi Building and the Don Bosco Hall.

As part of its platinum jubilee celebrations, Konkani Natak Sabha has organised a Konkani drama festival in which 12 Konkani plays were staged by different groups.

Valedictory function

Valedictory function of the Konkani Natakak Sabha’s platinum jubilee celebration will be held on Sunday December 2 at 5.30 pm at Don Bosco Hall, Mangaluru. Fr Joseph Dolphy Pais, OFM, Capuchin, provincial minister of Holy Trinity Province, Karnataka will be the chief guest of the programme. James Vincent Mendonca, NRI businessman, philanthropist and supporter of Konkani language and culture will be the guest of honour.

Veteran and senior playwright and stage artistes Peter Furtado, Ashoknagar, Albert Peris, Kulshekar and Claud D’Souza, Bendur will be conferred the 'KNS Kala Prashasti' award for their commendable service to Konkani stage.

‘Astitva Manglur’ will stage ‘Ankvar Mestri’ (A Bachelor Teacher), a social play written by great playwright Cha Fra De Costa. ‘Kalamrit’, KNS Platinum Jubilee souvenir, will be brought out later to mark this historical event.