Report and pics from Rajtilak Naik in Panaji
for Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (MB)
Panaji, May 9: The prestigious Dalgado Puroskar 2007 of the Dalgado Konknni Academy is conferred on the living Tiatr legend Prem Kumar.
Prem Kumar was selected for the award in consideration of his glorious Tiatr career, which has stretched over the 55 years. The Award presentation ceremony was held at the Black Box of Kala Academy at Panaji.
Former vice chancellor Olivinho Gomes of Goa University presented the prestigious award to the Legend in the auspicious presence of Premanand Sangodkar, Fr Conceicao D'Silva of the Mandur Church, president of the Goa Dalgado Konknni Academy Tomazinho Cardozo and others.
Every year the Award is presented to a person who has worked towards building up the Konkani language in the Roman Script and who has worked in preserving the Culture of the State.
Prof Olivinho Gomes presents the award to Prem Kumar, with Premanand Sangodkar, Dalgado Konkani Academy president Tomazinho Cardozo, Fr Conceicao D'Silva and Prof Salvador Fernandez
Prem Kumar speaks bout his tiatr career spanning 55 years
Famous duo Tomazinho and Irene Cardozo sings during the ceremony
Prem Kumar and Tomazinho Cardozo garland the portrait of Mons Dalgado
About Prem Kumar:
Prem Kumar was born on September 8, 1929 at Chandor in South Goa, around 20 kms from Margao. His first stage performance was when he was 13 in which he played a child artist character and his first written and staged Tiatr was 'Mhozo Put'.
Prem Kumar made his maiden entry into the Bollywood industry in Dhirubai Dessai's 'Unchi Haveli'. There was a trend of changing original names into a stage name in the Bollywood Industry and Prem Kumar was no exception for this. Prem Kumar changed his original name Peter D'costa and captured the glamour world in no time.
During his career of 55 years Prem Kumar pen down 55 Tiatr and performed thousands of Shows over the years. Some of his unforgettable Tiatr are Mortikar, Jivit Ek Sopon, Abdul Narayan D'Souza, Fulam ani Kattem, Angounn, Rinn, Dukh, Kakut and so on.
Past recipients of the Dalgado Puroskar:
1) Dalgado Puroskar 2005 - Fr Vasco Rego
2) Dalgado Puroskar 2006 - Prabhakar Tendulkar