Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Media release
Mangaluru, Sep 20: The Konkani Natak Sabha (KNS) here celebrated its 79th annual day at Don Bosco Hall with a Thanksgiving Holy Mass on September 19. Dr Rocky D'Cunha, OFM Cap was the chief celebrant, Fr Francis Fernandes OFM Cap and Fr Frederick Fernandes, OFM Cap were the cocelebrants. Joseph Pinto took the responsibility of conducting the choir and Gladys Rosario the liturgy.
After the holy mass, there was a get together program of all the members. In a short stage program, vice president of KNS Liston D'Souza welcomed all the members. Santhosh Sequeira of Santhosh Arrangers Kankanady was the guest for the occasion. All the members of the Sabha celebrated the birthday of KNS president Fr Rocky D'Cunha born on September 20 by cutting a cake.
After that, an entertainment program with different games was organised by Jossy Theodore, Joachim Pinto and Prem Lobo.
Vice president Liston D'Souza, in his address to the gathering, said, "KNS is stepping into its 80th year. The managing committee has a plan of conducting atleast one program in a month throughout the year." He requested all the members to attend all the programs and support in uplifting the Konkani culture. He also called upon the members to contribute any antique items and drama costumes that members possess to the museum which will be setup in the days to come. Santhosh Sequeira, a well-wisher of the sabha who was present in the program donated Rs 1 lac towards this year's singing competition prizes.
Floyd D'Mello, general secretary of KNS proposed a vote of thanks. The celebration was concluded by singing the KNS Anthem followed by dinner.
Konkani Natak Sabha (KNS) is a Konkani Dramatic Society formed on September 19, 1943 by Fr George Albuquerque Pai SJ (of St Aloysius College, Mangaluru), by bringing together active youngsters of local dramatic groups from all over Mangaluru. KNS is a cultural organization founded primarily for the Apostolate of the Stage and has for its object, the promotion of the mother tongue-Konkani, and the advancement of cultural, social and moral upliftment of the society in general. "Natak Dwarin Dharmik Sadhan '' meaning service through stage is the cherished motto of the Sabha.
The KNS at present has 14 local units with about 272 members on the rolls from the General Body of the Sabha. Its administration is looked after by a Managing Committee, and the day to day affairs are conducted by an Executive Committee consisting of the president (a Capuchin Priest), the vice-president, the general secretary, the assistant secretary, the treasurer. As the constitution of KNS is framed on the principle of selflessness and brotherhood, neither a member nor the president can draw any emoluments from the Sabha, as their services are purely honorary.
The KNS has a well-equipped drama hall of its own use known as the Don Bosco Hall, accommodating nearly 65o people which is situated on Balmatta Road in the heart of the City. This hall and the adjoining commercial building were built in the early 1950s. In Mangaluru, for performance by any artiste, the first choice is Don Basco Hall which is managed by the Konkani Natak Sabha
Stage structure:
A perfect wooden stage platform is available with tri-stage structure,where three scenes can be performed simultaneously and also Lighting and mike boys' canopy to protect the audience from their movements. Sudden appearance of scenes can be made possible with the underneath green room link jacks and shawls for worlds best effects of drama. Spacious sidewings for one scene or multiscene plays and performances are also available. Bharathnatyam, Kuchipudi and other dance performers' first option in Mangaluru is Don BOsco Hall, rightly situated near Jyothi and Hampankatta road and can be identified by any passer-by.