Yahya Hallare
Daijiworld Media Network - Bhatkal (RJP)
Bhatkal, Mar 7: Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Awards for 2015 were conferred in a befitting ceremony on Sunday, March 6, during the valedictory of the two-day Konkani cultural 'Utsav' at Nagayakshe hall here.
Addresing the gathering, local MLA Mankal Vaidya said, "More than 60% of the population in Bhatkal Assembly constituency consists of the Konkani speaking community. Konkani language is spoken by Hindu, Muslim and Christian communities here and the language has united them. It has increased the love and trust between them. More than forty communities speak Konkani in our state. Konkani speaking people should help other language speaking people of this area especially Marathi speaking ones, as they are economically poor. They should be provided with employment in addition to education."
The awards were given in three categories, namely Honorary Awards, Book Awards and Yuva Puraskar (youth awards).
Ramachandra M Shet (Konkani language and literature), Kasargod Chinna (Konkani art) and Alu Peelu Marathi (Konkani folk) received the Honorary Awards. Om Ganesh Uppunda (for the translation of 'Bayila Bhade Bayila'), Rony Arun (for the research study book 'Tho'kanatullo Zuzari') and Fr Denis Castelino (for the collection of Konkani articles titled 'Dalit') received the annual Book Awards. The Yuva Puraskar-2015 were conferred on Rajaram Prabhu (music), Nasrullah Askeri (sports) and Anjali Wilson Vaz (dance).
Also, S M Khalil, Pradeep G Pai and George Fernandes were honoured with Special Recognition Awards for their achievements in their respective fields.
Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy president Roy Castelino presided over. Mamatha Kamath and Ashok Kasargod compered the programme.
On Saturday when the tow-day Utsav began various teams put up a great show by performing music, songs and dances in the Konkani cultural Utsav The two-day state level Utsav has been organised by Karnataka Konkani Sahitya academy.
Konkan Kharvi Kalamand group from Bhatkal and Mestha troupe from Shiroor performed folk dances while Karavali Balaga from Honnavar played music and Nrithya Nakudha Dhaf Mandali showed the Dhaf dance, Zhenkar Melodies played Konkani songs Lourdes church troupe performed cultural programme, Navayathi Mehfil sang ghazal songs and also played a drama while Nayana Nrithya Nikethan performed Bharatanatyam and pleased the spectators.
Karnataka Sahitya Academy president Roy Castelino inaugurated the Utsav and made the inaugural speech. Former taluk panchayat president Shanthi Jagadisha Sukranemane, Thimmappa Kharvi the vice president of Kharvi Mahajana Sabha and Ramadhasa Prabhu the president of Nagayakshe Samsthana were present among others. Prasanna Prabhu and Dr Aravind Shanbaug compered. Devdas Pai proposed vote of thanks.