Subraya Chokkadi, Sullia
Subraya Chokkadi of Sullia, born in 1940, can rightly be called the spokesperson for the initial stages of the new wave Kannada poetry in the district. His was an agriculturist family. His father was the well-known Bhagavath A Ganappaya and mother Subbamma. He was a teacher by profession and is now retired.
His poems revolve around the theme of nature. He has nine poetry collections to his credit and three critical reviews of the contemporary literary scene. Several of his poems have been set to music and have been produced in CDs and cassettes.
The honours received by him are several: Vardhamana prashasti, Muddana Kaavya prashasti, Sahitya Kalanidhi prashasti, Karnaataka Shri prashasti and others. He has served as a member of the Karnataka Kannada Sahitya Academy ,as the convenor of Sumanaska Vedike, as a resource person in several district-level and state-level conferences and seminars. Recently Kanthaavara Kannada Sangha honoured him .
Dolphy Lobo Cascia
Born in Cascia of Jeppu Mangalore, and residing at Vamanjoor at present, 57-year-old Dolphy Lobo is known as Dolphy Cascia, his pseudonym. B Com and LL B graduate Dolphy has been writing from his childhood.
He has contributed a lot to Konkani literature as a writer, novelist, short story writer, poet and playwright. He had the distinction of editing three magazines at a time, Mithr (weekly), Jhelo (monthly) and Kurov (monthly), a rare feat. His serial stories are being published in the Konkani periodicals.
Through his Punov Prakashan he has published 111 books of 46 authors and is thus continuing his service to the Konkani literature.
More than 44 novels, short stories exceeding 300, 100 poems, plays numbering 35 have come from his pen. Among his plays 9 are in Tulu, 1 is in Kannada and 25 in Konkani. One of his Konkani plays Di Mhaaka Bogsaane has been staged 146 times.
Three of his novels have received awards from Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Goa. He has been the recipient of All India-level award from the Konkani Bhasha Mandal Mumbai (twice) and the Konkani Sahitya Academy award.
Prof A V Navada, Ammembal
Son of the eminent Kannada and Sanskrit scholar Shankara Narayana Navada, 63-year-old Prof Vasudeva Navada has proved his mettle both in Kannada and Tulu literature. He has passed his B. Sc, and then M A in Kannada with the 5th rank in the Mysore University, served as lecturer in colleges and university for 37 years, and is at present retired and working in the Karnataka Theological Research Centre, Balmatta.
Among his achievements are publication of 561 books as the director of Hampi University Prasaaranga, publication of more than 40 of his own books, guideding 3 scholars for their Ph D., one for M Phil and at present guiding 5 for their Ph D. He has served as the founder convenor of the Purandaradasa Study Centre of Kannada University, as a Syndicte member and the dean of the Board of Studies for Languages, and the acting vice-chancellor of the University.
He has contributed a lot to the study of Tulu language and culture: - three years of work in the Tulu Dictionary project. research in the Tulu and Kannada folklore, study and research in the Kalinga Serpent workship of the Mera Harijana group, collection and publication of the Tulu Siri Pad’dhana from Rammakka Muggerthi, a four-year research and study of the Tulu culture and publication through the Hampi University of a book of 1160 pages on this subject.
Among the honours received by him are: The Folklore Fellows group of Finland, fellowship; publication of his English articles by the American Professor Peter Klass titled Tuluva Darshana, Tulu Sahitya Academy Award, Karnataka Jaanapada and Yakshagana Academy award, Ku Shi Jaanapada award from Udupi, Vardhamana award etc.
Arundhati Naag, Bangalore
Born in Delhi in 1956 and migrating to Mumbai in 1966, Arundhati joined the Indian People Theatre Association at the age of 16 and started acting in Marati and Gujarathi plays under the guidance of stalwarts like Balraj Sahani, J B Hangal and others. Her fame as an actress in more than 20 Hindi, English, Marati and Gujarathi plays attracted Shankar Naag, the famous Kannada stage and cine artiste and they married soon.
In Bangalore Arundhati Naag excelled on the Kannada stage also. Nagamandala, Anjumallige, Kannu Muchchaale, Janateya Shatru, Iti Ninna Amruthaa, Odakalu Bimba are the plays which drew viewers' aprreciation for her superb and versatile acting.
In films also she has proved her prowess as an actress. Golibaar, Accident, Jogi in Kannada, Dil Se, Sapne in Hindi have brought out the real and best actor within her. She received the state award as the best supporting actress for her role as a mother in Jogi.
She has served the community in other fields as well along with her husband Shankar Naag when he was still living. She has continued in the same vein even after his untimely death. The Ranga Shankara theatre she has put up in J P Nagar, Bangalore in memory of her husband is a gift to the Kannada stage.
Laxman Kodase, Shimoga
Laxman Kodase was born in Kodase of Hosanagar taluk of Shimoga district in 1953. He is the eldest son of Kariya Naika and Bharmamma. He married Swarnambha. He is a postgraduate in Kannada and was the first winner of the university-level short story writing competition. He joined the Prajavani daily in 1978.
For the last thirty years he has worked as a reporter, chief reporter, news editor, and at present he is the assistant editor of the daily. He has worked in Hubli, Mysore, Bangalore and Mangalore and at present is in-charge of the weekly supplement, including cinema and education sections. Election survey, film survey, interviews with literary and other dignitaries are among his special interests.
He has published three collections of his short stories, and has edited Kristanjali, a collection of poems about Christ. He has also been the editor of the newsletter of Karnataka Sahitya Parishat.
He has served as the office bearer of the Karnataka Journalists Cooperative Union, was a member of Indian Working Journalists National Council and the founder president of the Mysore Reporters Guild.
Shiva Sanchaara Drama Troupe, Chitradurga
The Shivasanchaar drama troupe was launched at the decennial celebrations of the parent body, the Shivakumara Kala Sangha of Sanehalli village of Chitradurga. This troupe trains 20 youth, both boys and girls, in dramatics every year. With the help of noted drama directors the troupe stages three plays each year, throughout the district and elsewhere.
The troupe starts its tour itinerary every year with a theme or a message and trains the artistes for this task. Recently the troupe organized a Bharath Sanchaar for 60 days with 25 artistes and conducted 45 shows in 20 different centres which is a record in itself. In the last ten years, the troupe has staged 1300 shows of 30 plays witnessed by more than 15 lakhs of people.
Last year there was an international drama festival at Sanehalli and every November the troupe conducts a stage festival. Under the able guidance of Panditaaradhya Shivacharya Swamiji, Shivasanchaar drama troupe helps the simple village people to live their lives well and in a meaningful way.
Francis J B D’Cunha, Mulky
Born at Kinnikambla in 1964 and presently residing at Mulky Francis D’Cunha is the son of Denis and Mary D’Cunha. The holder of M A, BSc, B Ed and Hindi Ratna degrees, he has been working as a teacher for the last 20 years and is presently a teacher at the Pejavar High School, near Bajpe. He has earned the respect and recognition of students and their parents for dedication to the teaching field and also for his valuable guidance on morality and values in life.
He has prepared modules for training of teachers in value education and human rights education, cooperated with the Mangala Jyothi institute in preparing the value education training programme, moral education training, training the animators of Belgaum, Chikmaglur and Goa, resource person in the career advancement programme and the Education for Excellence programme, served as the animator in the Young Christian Students and Young Students Movement. He is also associated with Fr Muller Hospital in their aids awareness programme.
He has written books in Konkani and Kannada, and is a regular contributer to Kajulo Children’s Monthly and has compiled the handbook of Young Students Movement.
He has used his teaching experience for the betterment of the society and has been a resource person for more than 300 seminars on 30 different subjects.
Several organisations and institutions have honoured him for his services. The Government Teachers' Training College has published his reseach work in the 'Method of Teaching Hindi' in schools.
Harold Cyril D’Souza, Bejai
57-year-old Harold Cyril D’Souza (Harry) of Bejai is a poet musician, actor and poet apart of being a band master. He has been continuing the Brass Band started by his grandfather Lorsab in 1906 and continued by his father Ediyaab. The band which celebrated its centenary in 2006 is now known as Harry’s Century Band.
There was a time when any celebration or function in the city and the district was considered incomplete without the Brass Band music. But now due to the influence of the western culture, jazz bands and beat groups, brass bands are on the decline. But this has not discouraged Harriyab from continuing his mission of preserving the local culture with greater vigour
He has conducted his Brass Band musical nites throughout the state and also in the Gulf to exhibit the unique culture of the district. He has also trained more than 40 singers and more than 1500 brass band musicians in the last several years.
He has produced several cassettes and CDs containing his brass band music and tunes and has composed more than 2500 tunes for this purpose.
His service to the local culture has been recognized by several associations like Bangalore Kanara Catholic Association, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy , Kuwait Welfare Association and the Thomas Stevens Konkani Centre which honoured him with the Kalakar award.