Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
With Inputs from Media Release

Mangaluru, Oct 15: Every year, 'Carvalho Ghorannem' and Mandd Sobhann select a worthy 'Konkani Kalakar' of Karnataka origin, of any region, religion, caste, dialect or community - from the field of folk arts, theatre, music, dance or any other art form, for the prestigious 'Kalakar Puraskar'.

This year, the Mandd Sobhann committee has unanimously selected the renowned Konkani folk artiste, Gopal Gowda, who has contributed immensely to the preservation, promotion and the popularization of Kudmi Konkani folk arts.

The Puraskar consists of a cash award of Rs 25,000 and public honour. The award ceremony will take place on November 5 at 6 pm at Kalaangann, at the 191st monthly theatre programme - 'LAR Nite'.

Born in 1955, Gopal Gowda is an accomplished Kudmi folk artiste. His troupe is well-known in the world of folklore with more than 200 performances rendered in India. Gowda's research on Kudmi folklore is remarkable.

Gowda is the first ever Kudmi writer.Many of his research write-ups have appeared in Konkani and Kannada periodicals, research magazines and in text books. Gowda has presented his research papers at several seminars and symposiums and presented shows on Doordarshan. His troupe has been granted Scholarships by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.

Gowda was awarded with Dakshina Kannada district Rajyotsava Award in 2014 and 'Janapad Prashasti'in 2002 by the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi. He has been honoured by nearly 20 cultural organizations.

He is a guide and a resource person for several folklore enthusiasts who have come to him from distant lands like Germany, Switzerland, Canada, England. His writings and publications are a treasure-trove of Kudmi history, dialects, sects, their culture with traditions and beliefs.