Marulayya, Moras, Albuquerque chosen for Sandesha awards

DHNS

• The awards will be presented on February 13

 

Mangalore, 01 February 2011: As many as 9 persons and one institute will be conferred with the prestigious ’Sandesha Awards’ for the year 2011 for their achievement in various fields. The Sandesha Foundation for Culture and Education will confer the awards on February 13 at Sandesha premises in Bajjodi, Mangalore.

 

The award winners are Dr Saa Shi Marulayya (Sandesha Kannada Literature Award), Paul Moras (Sandesha Konkani Literature Award), Kudkady Vishwanath Rai (Sandesha Tulu Literature Award), Master Vittal Shetty (Sandesha Arts Award), M S Narasimha Murthy (Sandesha Cinema/TV Award), Gauri Lankesh (Sandesha Journalism Award), Veereshwara Punyashrama, Gadag (Sandesha Media Education Award), Fr Sunith Prabhu (Sandesha Best Teacher Award), Fr Walter Albuquerque (Konkan Kogul Wilfy Rebimbus Memorial Sandesha Konkani Music Award),  Raymond D’Souza (Sandesha Special Recognition Award).

 

Addressing a press meet here on Tuesday, Sandesha Foundation Director Fr Valerian Mendonca said each award will carry a cash prize of Rs 10,000, citation, shawl and a trophy. Mangalore Bishop Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza will preside over the function. Bishop of Bellary Dr Henry D’Souza who is the chairman of Sandesha Foundation will grace the occasion. Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor Prof T C Shivashankara Murthy will be the chief guest.

 

The jury for the Sandesha awards were Dr Na D’Souza, Richard Louis, Dr Na Da Shetty, Fr Mark Valder, Dr Sara Abubakkar, Chandrakala Nandavar, Dr Fr Charles Vas, Joel Pereira and Concepta Fernandes.

 

Dr Marulayya (80) has authored 93 books covering all spheres of Kannada literature. Besides being a gifted lecturer, he has also been a poet, novelist and journalist.

 

Paul Moras (58), who has deeply studied Konkani language, Konkani folk dance and folk music, has published three books. Moras is also a Konkani activist and social worker, who took the initiative and leadership in organising Konkani jathas all over the State towards demanding inclusion of Konkani in the eighth schedule of the Constitution.

 

Kudkady Vishwanath Rai, who runs Vishwa Kala Niketan at Sullia Padavu in Puttur is a staunch supporter of Tulu cause. He has written 23 books in Tulu and Kannada. Rai has produced seven Tulu ballets.

 

Master Vittal Shetty is a city-based Bharatnatyam trainer. Several of his ballets are based on Ramayana, Mahabharat and the Bible. He had presented a Bible-based creation at the International Eucharistic Congress at Mumbai in 1965 in the presence of Pope Paul.

 

M S Narasimha Murthy, who has endeared himself to Kannada TV viewers through his comedy serials, ‘Paa Pa Paandu’ and ‘Silly Lalli.’

 

Gauri Lankesh is the editor of Lankesh Patrike. Gauri is active in literary and social fields. Veereshwara Punyashrama, Gadag, which has been involved with the work of teaching and training the blind, mentally retarded, orphans and poor children, has also been involved with imparting various skills to them to be able to make them stand on their own legs.

 

Fr Sunith Prabhu has been working for the welfare of students, teachers and educational institutions for the last 38 years. Fr Walter Albuquerque (88), known affectionately as ‘White Nightingale’, from Mangalore. He has translated a number of English hymns into Konakni, and composed new hymns.

 

Raymond D’Souza (47), a wellknown body builder has made Mangalore as well as the country proud by securing Mr World title.