Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)

Mangalore, Aug 16: The Karavali Konkans Kala Award for this year was bestowed on noted theatre personality, Comedy King Adolphus Cutinho, popularly known as Dolla Mangalore, at a ceremony held at Don Bosco hall here on Friday August 15.

The event also saw the staging of 'Ucharn Sangtha', a thrilling social drama written by Joel Pereira and directed by Dolla Mangalore.

The award was presented to Dolla by Fr Pius James D'Souza, superior of St Joseph Monastery, Carmel Hill. Dolla's wife Valentine too was called on to the stage offered a bouquet.

In his address, Fr Pius said that there were two ways that people employ to come up in life - while some do so by putting others down, some achieve success by taking others along with them. "Karavali Konkans is moving forward by taking everyone together. Though we are independent, the community is inter-dependent," he said.

Lauding the organizers for their efforts and achievements, he said, "I congratulate all the artistes of the drama. The effort put in by the members of Karavali Konkans is highly commendable, they have contributed towards the development of the community through their work."

Abu Dhabi-based entrepreneur Leo Rodrigues said, "I have closely followed the achievements of Karavali Konkans. They have been honouring Konkani artistes since many years, and doing a good job in promoting the language and its culture. Today the hall is filled with theatre lovers, and this in itself is a fine achievement of Karavali Konkans."

Acknowledging the honour, Dolla Mangalore jokingly said that he was in hospital and 'Yamraj' had come to take him, but since he had to receive the honour by Karavali Konkans, Yamraj agreed to erase his name from the list. All this in fact was a dream he had, Dolla added.

Leslie Rego, president of Karavali Konkans, welcomed the gathering while secretary Claude D'Souza proposed the vote of thanks. Amora Monteiro compered the event.

After the award presentation ceremony, it was time for 'Ucharn Sangtha' drama staged by the members of Karavali Konkans. Over the next two-and-a-half hours, the packed audience were treated to stunning performances and gripping suspense that kept them on the edge of their seats throughout.

The drama revolved around the theme of infidelity and how it can affect a family. The narrator, a role executed wonderfully by Leslie Rego, also plays the lead. The mystery unravelled before the audience steadily, with the narrator filling the connecting links in the plot between scenes. Aloysius D'Souza and Alwyn D'Sa played the roles of the narrator's brothers, while Meera Pinto enacted the role of the mother. Rovina D'Almeida was the female lead. All the main as well as supporting actors rendered fantastic performances that evoked appreciation from the audience. The lights and sound effects complemented the action on stage and further enhanced the overall presentation. All in all, it was an evening to remember.