The World Konkani Centre has instituted two new awards this year in the name of its chief Patron. Based on the recommendations by the jury committees, the World Konkani Centre has announced the awardees for the year 2022. Selection was based on the nominations submitted by the general public and evaluation by the jury committee comprising of eminent personalities.
Ajit Ganapat Shenvi Kerkar, has been chosen for the Dr. P. Dayananda Pai Vishwa Konkani Ranga Shreshta Puraskar 2022 considering the life time contribution to the field of theatre and their contribution to the Konkani Cause.
Vidya Pai, has been chosen for the Dr. P. Dayananda Pai Vishwa Konkani Anuvada Puraskar 2022 considering the enormity and impact of her Translation work of Konkani Literature in to English resulting in worldwide exposure for the Konkani literature.
Both the above awards carry Rs. 1.00 lakh each prize money and award plaque. The awards will be bestowed upon the recipients during the Vishwa Konkani Awards Ceremony to be held on 9th February 2023 in the presence of Chief Patron Dr. P. Dayananda Pai and other dignitaries.
Members of the Jury:
Dr. P. Dayananda Pai Vishwa Konkani Ranga Shreshta Puraskar : Dr. G.G. Lakshman Prabhu as the Chairman of the Jury and Muralidhar Shenoy, Kochi, John Permannur, Mangaluru and Sanjiv Verenkar, Goa as members of the Jury.
Dr. P. Dayananda Pai Vishwa Konkani Anuvada Puraskar: Ayyanur Ramesh Pai as Chairman and Gokuldas Prabhu, Dr. Kiran Budkuley and Melvyn Rodrigues as the members.
A Brief Profiles of awardees:
Ajit Ganpat Shenvi Kerkar: Kerkar has served the Konkani Theatre scene in the past 54 years in Goa. Today at 72 years of age, he still continues to be in the field of Konkani theatre by acting, directing and designing the sets for Konkani dramas. So far has acted in 89 Productions and directed 43 Production of Dramas with innumerable shows across Goa and Maharashtra. All in all,he was instrumental for the success of 143 Theatrical Productions. He has won 43 Special Awards in Dramas (35 for Acting, 4 for Direction and 4 for Set Designing) Kerkar is the only actor in Goa to have won the state level best actor award for 7 times including 4 times in a row. Hehas won BestDirector award 3 times at state level and 2nd Prize for Direction once at State Level and once at National Level. Has won 4 Prizes at State Level for set designing. Befittingly the Jury has unanimously selected Ajit Ganapat Shenvi Kerkar for the Dr. P. Dayananda Pai Vishwa Konkani Ranga Shreshta Puraskar 2022.
Vidya Pai: Vidya Pai lives in Kolkota. She has translated Konkani 68 Short Stories and 7 Novels in to English and published in reputed publications all across the world. PhD. Thesis have been written based on her work and Konkani Literature has received much needed attention in the literary world due to Vidya Pai’s work. Konkani literature has travelled across other Indian Languages based on the works translated in to English by Vidya Pai. Jury has unanimously felt Vidya Pai is the most deserved person to be bestowed with Dr. P. Dayananda Pai Vishwa Konkani Anuvad Puraskar 2022.
About World Konkani Centre:
World Konkani Centre founded by Konkani Bhas Ani Sanskriti Prathistan, a premier Konkani organisation established in the year 1996 in the leadership of Vishwa Konkani Sardar Basti Vaman Shenoy, has been relentlessly working towards preservation of Konkani Language and Culture since inception.
This Press Note has been issued by Nandagopal Shenoy, President, Konkani Bhas Ani Sanskriti Prathistan, World Konkani Centre, Mangaluru.