Mangalore: Comedy Company ®, Mangalore, in association with Kala Sampat successfully organised ‘Kar Natak’ – Konkani Social Drama Competition, in memory of their companion Sunil Crasta, on May 27 and 28, 2023, at the Don Bosco Hall, Mangalore.

The Competition was blessed by the P.R.O of Mangalore Diocese, Rev. Dr. J. B. Saldanha, on Saturday, May 27, at 9 a.m., and was inaugurated by Tulu theatre and cine artiste, Dr. Devdas Kapikad, by lighting the lamp. 

The Guests of Honour – well known playwright, Rev. Dr. Alwyn Serrao; Parish Priest of Bajal, Rev. Fr. Andrew D’Souza; Founder and Managing Director of Daijiworld Media Pvt Ltd.,  Walter Nandalike; renowned Chartered Accountant,  Olvin Rodrigues; Vice President of Konkani Natak Sabha, Liston D’Souza Bajal; Proprietor of Santhosh Arrangers, Santhosh Sequeira and  Linnet Crasta, wife of  Sunil Crasta (representing Sunil’s family) along with the Judges – Rev. Fr. Francis Rodrigues,  Joel Pereira Bejai,  Denis Monteiro were present on the dais. Nellu Permannur of Comedy Company welcomed the gathering and  Lancy Bantwal compered the stage programme. Alwyn C. Veigas presented the vote of thanks. 

11 teams had participated in the competition. The Main Sponsor of the Competition  Michael D’Souza Dubai viewed a few plays, wished the competition a success, and honoured the participants with a certificate and memento. In between the chain of plays, 9 senior artistes – Mable Kent, Tony Ruzai,  Charlie Sequeira,  Dolphy Cascia, Richie Pereira,  Carmelita Goveas,  Lawrence D’Souza Cascia,  Grace D’Cruz, Arthur Rasquinha – were felicitated.  Henry D’Souza Suratkal was unable to attend the felicitation due to health issues. Famous Tulu theatre artiste and cinema director,  Vijay Kumar Kodialbail also attended the programme and wished the competition a success. 

Guest judges – Rev. Fr. Rony Serrao, Rev. Dr. Alwyn Serrao, Rev. Fr. Jocy Siddakatte,  Walter Nandalike,  Stany Alvares,  Leslie Rego,  Dolla Mangalore, Daya Victor Lobo and Aloysius D’Souza conducted a post mortem of the plays.

Renowned Konkani personality, Titus Noronha was the Convenor of the competition.  Alwyn Danthy Pernal compered the felicitation programme while  Amora Monteiro introduced the felicitated artistes.

Mandd Sobhann Gurkar, Eric Ozario; Rev. Fr. Ronald Prakash D’Souza; Konkan Maina,  Meena Rebimbus;  Lloyd Rego Taccode and other prominent personalities attended the programme and wished it well. All those who had worked for the success of the programme were honoured with a memento. Breakfast and food was provided to all the participants and the audience, on both days. 

After the conclusion of the competition, the judges sealed their scores and handed it over to Rev. Fr. Francis Rodrigues. The organisers have informed that the results of the competition will be announced and prizes will be distributed, on September 3, 2023, at Kalaangann, during the Monthly Theatre at which Comedy Company’s play will be presented. 

The 2-day competition concluded with Nellu Permannur placing the words “Sunil your dream has come true today” before Sunil Crasta’s photo and thanking all those who made the competition a success.