Media Release

Mangaluru, Oct 30: Singer, songwriter and composer Apolinaris D’Souza has been chosen for the 19th ‘Kalakar Puraskar’ presented by Mandd Sobhann, in association with ‘Carval Ghorane’.

This honour, comprising of Rs 50000 cash, a shawl, fruits, flowers, citation of honour and a memento will be presented on November 5, during the 263rd monthly theatre at Kalaangann, Shakthinagar.

Born in 1953, Apolinaris completed his education at St Aloysius College, Mangaluru and then travelled to Oman, seeking a better future. He has given immense contribution to music both while in Oman and in Mangaluru.

Having participated and won in many singing competitions in his early years and then grown into a popular singer, songwriter and composer, Apolinaris has produced 9 audio albums comprising of songs and hymns, and 2 books comprising of songs and music. He has also created over 250 videos of Konkani and English hymns for his YouTube channel.

The hymns he composed when religious ceremonies transitioned from using Latin to Konkani, are popular to date. ‘Mondirant Bhitor Sorun’, ‘Orgam Tuka Somiya’, ‘Ye Ye Jezu Mogala’, ‘Undya Vayna Sovem’, ‘Vetam Vetam Somiyam’, ‘Sasnnacho Vishev’ are among his popular compositions. The honour of organizing the first Konkani programme in Muscat, back in 1976 goes to him. He has also organized ‘Apoli Night’. He has given his service as the choir master at St Peter & Paul Church, Ruwi for nearly 20 years. He has greatly served MKCC and MCCP organizations in Oman. He has judged many music competitions and has also encouraged many blooming talents.

He has been chosen for this honour in appreciation of his immense contribution in the field of music for over five decades.

This honour was founded in 2004 by linguist Dr Pratap Naik under the name of his Carvalho (Carval) family and is presented every year to a Konkani individual of Karnataka region in recognition of his or her achievements in the field of music, dance, drama or folklore.