Krishnaraya, Harry, Babi Naik selected for Konkani Sahitya Academy awards

The Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy has announced the names of the achievers, who will be honoured with the prestigious ‘Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Awards 2011.’

Briefing media persons here on Saturday, Academy Chairman Kasargod Chinna said that the Konkani Academy honoraray award winners are S M Krishnaraya (Konkani language and literature), Harry D’Souza (Konkani art) and Babi Naik (Konkani folklore). The Academy book awards are won by Maxim G Pinto for his collection on Konkani articles ‘Satham Khatham,’ Ronald Vas for his collection of poems ‘Awaz’ and Ron Michael for his collection of short stories ‘Vodthanthlen Gulob.’

He said the Academy will honour talented youth with ‘Konkani Yuva puraskar’ this year. The winners are Mahadevi Kulal (pottery), Vilas Nayk (painting) and Mahalskhmi Shenoy (classical music).

The award will be presented at Manjunath Pai cultural hall in Karkala on November 11 at 5 pm.

Deputy Speaker N Yogish Bhat will inaugurate the programme while Minister for Kannada and Culture Govind Karajol will confer the awards. MLA Gopal Bhandary will preside.
Minister for Ports, Muzrai Kota Srinivas Poojary will give away Konkani Book awards.

The honorary award will carry a cash prize of Rs 10,000, citation, memento while the book award will carry a cash prize of Rs 5,000, citation and memento.

Konkani fellowship for the year 2010 will be distributed to five persons on the occasion.
There will be variety of entertainment programmes in Konkani on the occasion.
Honorary awards

S M Krishnaraya was born in Belgaum and had written literature in his pen name ‘Madhupa’ and ‘Gangathayana sameera.’ He has translated several work to Kannada from Konkani. Some of his translated works are ‘Rashmi,’ ‘Kaamelina,’ ‘Chaithanyakke Matavilla,’ ‘Aavige,’ ‘Dikkugalu’ and others.

He was the advisor to Uttara Kannada jilla Konkani Parishat and has served as the advisory committee member of Kendra Sahitya Akademi.

Harry D’Souza was born in Valencia in Mangalore and has acted in over 200 plays. The first play acted by him was ‘Kamagarancho Ekwat’ way back in 1936. He has written lyrics for over 500 songs. Some of the plays written and directed by him are ‘Amcho Ekwat,’ ‘Magnyachem Bol,’ All round tailor.’ The audio CDs brought out by him are ‘Nekethr’ and ‘Lavina.’

Baabi Naik hails from Pejamangoor in Udupi and is a folklore artiste. He is well versed in ‘Holi dance’ and ‘Kolata.’ He can sing over 100 folk songs in Konkani. He has vast knowledge on traditional medicine.

Book awards

Maxim G Pinto has been serving Konkani literature for the last 28 years. He is serving in postal department. His articles and short stories have been published in Raknno, ‘Jhelo,’ and ‘Mithr.’

Ronald Vaz has written articles in ‘Raknno’ and ‘Derebail Ful.’  Ron Michael Anjelor is a columnist for Mumbai based monthly magazine and writes ‘Jiniyanthlim Mothiyam’ column.
He has keen interest in Konkani music and plays. Some of the short stories written by him are ‘Pet Ani Pond,’ ‘Kroor Ghadith,’ ‘Salma,’ ‘Prathiroop,’ and so on.

Konkani yuva awards

Mahadevi Kulal hails from Kundapur and is affected with polio.  Though she is physically challenged, through her determination and hard work, she has passed tenth standard. She is well versed in pottery. She learnt the art from Raghuram Kulal.

Vilas Nayak is good at painting and has exhibited his talent in Super Star of Karnataka Reality Show and India’s Got Talet Reality Show.

Mahalkshmi Shenoy is a Hindustani music artiste. She has learnt music under Vishwamohan Bhat , Vyasakrishna Upadhyaya and Rama Rao Nayak. She has given over 600 concerts.