Singer Kenny Zuzarth Among `Divo' Award Winners

Report and Pics by Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (RD)

Mumbai, May 27: ‘Divo’, a metro-based illustrated Konkani weekly, has announced the names of the personalities picked up by it for ‘Divo Sahitya Puraskar’, being given annually to eminent personalities based on their distinguished services to Konkani. The award for the year 2009 will be presented to Fr Baptist Pais, SVD, Kenny Zuzarth, and Felix D’Souza – Malwani. ‘Divo’ lifetime achievement award is being conferred on popular Konkani composer and singer, Victor Concesso.
 
The prestigious ‘Sahitya Puraskar’ carries a cash reward of Rs. 50,000, which will be shared equally among the three winners. The winners have been chosen from among a number of entries received, by a panel appointed specially for the purpose, comprising veteran dramatist, Francis Fernandes Cascia, and others.  The selection was done, keeping in mind the contributions made by them to Konkani. 

Fr Baptist Pais, Kenny Zuzarth, Felix D'Souza

51 year-old Fr Baptist Pais, SVD, has been an ardent Konkani supporter and singer.  He has lent his melodious voice to many songs that are made available to the people through audio cassettes and CDs.  At present, Fr Baptist is serving as the parish priest of Sacred Heart Church in Andheri (East). 

47 year-old Kenny Zuzarth is a Konkani stage singer and artiste, who has scaled heights of popularity because of his excellent portrayal of female roles on stage.  Felix D’Souza - Malwani (50) is also a Konkani and stage artiste.

Victor Concesso

The award will be presented to the winners at a grand function scheduled to be held at the specially decorated ‘Francis Fernandes Cascia Matov’ at Karnataka Sangh Auditorium in the city, on Sunday July 25, 2010 at 4.00 pm. The award presentation ceremony will be followed by a Konkani cultural programme, which will be presented by the talented youths from Mumbai in Konkani, English and Hindi languages. 

The earlier winners of the prestigious award are Ronald Pereira, Molly Lobo, late P D’Souza, Eddie Netto, Fr Norbert Fernandes, the late Amiyar Bombay, Fr Pratap Naik SJ, Vally Quadros Ajekar, Cyprian Albuquerque, Concepta Alva, Fr V J Menezes, Wilfred Fernandes, Wilson Olivera, Leo Fernandes, Dr Gerald Pinto and Rons Bantwal.

‘Divo’, a popular illustrated Konkani weekly being published from Mumbai, has wide readership in Karnataka, Mumbai and in the Gulf regions.  It is the sister publication of ‘The Secular Citizen’, and has been giving away the said awards annually since the last 10 years.