“Earlier art awards were conferred only to Indian based art forms and artists but now they are awarded even to the western based art forms and it is a positive change,” said ‘Kalakar Puraskar-2007’ awardee Harry D’Souza on Sunday.
Mr D’souza of Harry’s Century Band after accepting the award and the felicitation at ‘Kalaangan’ organised by Mandd Sobhann in Shakthinagar said that such changes help the art to grow.
 “Today I feel happy that even band is recognised as an art and this award is the testimony of the acceptance,” he added.
The award includes a cash prize of Rs 25,000, a certificate and a memento.
Mandd Sobhann President Louis J Pinto, Konkani Academy President Eric Ozario and others were present on the occasion.