John Devraj among Six Selected for Sandesha Awards 2017
Managluru: “Sandesha Foundation for Culture and Education, Mangalore, managed by Karnataka Regional Catholic Bishops Conference, has been for the past 26 years honouring the personalities who have made significant contribution to Kannada, Konkani and Tulu Literature, Media, Education Art and Culture. By choosing to award the deserving persons based on the basis of merit, the Sandesha Awards have gained recognition of their own standard ” said Fr Victor Vijay Lobo, Director, Sandesha Foundation during a press meet held at Mangalore Press Club.
Fr Lobo further said, “The awardees are Dr Kamala Hampana (Literature), actor Prakash Rai (Prakash Raj) (Media), Yuvaraj K (art), Anil Patrao (Konkani music) and Mother Teresa Memorial Education Trust run by Shamita and Renita (Education). Also, John Devaraj has been chosen for Sandesha Special Recognition Award, 2017. Na D’Souza, Dr Na Damodar Shetty, Mrs Sara Abubakkar Mrs Chandrakala Nandavar, Eric Ozario and Richard Louis were the Juries of Sandesha Awards, and selected with guidance under me”
“Sandesha Awards 2017 ceremony will be held on Friday, 13th January 2017 at Sandesha premises at 5.30 pm. Bishop of Bellary diocese Dr Henry D’Souza, who is also the president of Sandesha Foundation, will preside over the function and present the Awards. Kannada Sahitya Parishat president Manu Baligar will be the chief guest while MLA J R Lobo and MLC Ivan D’Souza will be the guests of honour.” added Fr Lobo
Na D’Souza, president, Sandesha Awards Jury, Roy Castelino, Trustee, Sandesha Foundation and President,of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, and Vincent Mascarenhas were present during the press meet.
Awardees of Sandesha Awards-2017
Dr Kamala Hampana- Sandesha Literature Award, 2017
Dr Kamala Hampana was born in 28 October, 1935 in Devanahalli to Rangalakshamma and Rangadhama Nayak. Married to Mr Hampa Nagarajayya, she has made a huge contribution to Kannada literature as a researcher, critic, biographer, Radio playwright, novelist, and a writer of children’s literature, modern vachanas, and women’s literature.
Prakash Rai – Sandesha Media Award, 2017.
Prakash Rai is a well acclaimed film actor of national fame. Born in a Tulu family, he has become a multilingual film actor who has performed in languages such as Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Marathi, Malayalam and English. A versatile actor, he can be a hero, a villain or even a supporting actor. He has received national award for his film ‘Kanjeevaram’. He has presented some good films in Kannada like ‘Nanoo Nanna Kanasu, ‘Oggarane’, ‘Idolle Ramayana’.
According to Prakash Rai, ‘Life sometimes can take turns, slight, U or may-be 360 degrees. We don’t know which turn is that but definitely, there is something that ignites within to GIVE BACK to LIFE, Prakash Raj Foundation believes in giving back to life philosophy. All this is not momentous, rather a journey, comprised of experience from knowing downtrodden to riches, destitute to destined, closures to new openings. Prakash Rai still believes journey has just begun, so on this journey, befriending LIFE is a necessity to co-exist. Much has been taken; it’s time to give back, let’s GIVE BACK to LIFE’.
Yuvaraj K.- Sandesha Art Award, 2017
Born in 1956, Yuvaraj has served for the past three decades as a lecturer and principal in Shivamogga. A popular folk singer, he has a huge collection of folk songs from different parts of Karnataka, which have been published as music albums. A man gifted with unique folk voice, he has to his credit above 1500 performance within and outside the state of Karnataka.
Anil Patrao- Konkani Music Award, 2017
Anil began his music journey at the young age of 4 itself playing harmonium. By the age 12, he began his public performances. As a choir master of Derebail church, he has trained many in music. A composer of over 200 songs, he has presented several musical evenings in collaboration with his brother John Patrao under the banner ‘Patrao Nite’.
John Devaraj- Sandesha Special Recognition Award, 2017
A civil engineer by profession, Devaraj is a versatile personality who sees the Divine in various forms. A sculptor, architect, puppeteer, actor, dramatist, cameraman, cine artist, art director, film producer, and an advisor to several organizations, he is an institutions by himself. His achievements include a unique mural in New York made of soil and water gathered from sixty different nations of the world, a 25 feet tall anti-fascist memorial in Austria, a huge picture of 370 x 280 ft for the children of Pakistan, and a 22 feet tall terracotta statue in Lalbagh, Bengaluru
Mother Teresa Memorial Education Trust- Sandesha Education Award, 2017
Two bold 22 year old women from Mangaluru, Ms Renita Lobo and Ms Shamita Rao, ventured into a challenging task of starting a school in a deeply remote village of Shakaranarayana, 30 kilomtres away from Kundapur in order to spread the light of knowledge among the illiterate people of the area. Started with LKG/UKG, the institution now is providing education up to the intermediate. The courageous and selfless service of these ladies has received a wide acclaim from the general public.