Konkani Sahitya Academy Awards Presentation in Belgaum on July 9

The presentation ceremony of the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Awards 2004 will be held on Saturday, July 9 at 5 pm at the Kumara Gandharva Ranga Mandir in Belgaum.

Belgaum mayor Vandana Mohan Belgundkar will preside over the function, while Goa Konkani Academy president Pundalik Naik will be the chief guest. Belguam MLA Ramesh Laxman Kudachi and Belgaum Konkani Sahitya Parishad president V V Shenoy will be the guests of honour.

A cultural programme highlighting the Siddi folklore will be presented by the Siddi Sanskriti ani Kala Mela, Yellapur. Dance formats like shigmo, fugddi, zakai, dolki, damam etc. will be part of the show.

Gladys Rego has been selected for the award for her contribution to Konkani literature. Felix Saldanha, of the erstwhile 'Fel' of the 'Dol Fel Chal' trio of international fame, has been selected for the award for his contribution to the field of Konkani theatre. Narayana Kharvi has been striving hard to preserve the Konkani Kharvi folk since 1982, Kharvi under the Mandd Sobhann troupe, has been training people and spreading the richness of the folk arts around the state.