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Mangaluru: Nine including Joyce Ozario, Andrew D’Cunha to get Sandesha Awards 2023

Mangaluru, Jan 18: The Sandesha Awards 2023 programme will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 5.30 pm at the Sandesha Institute Grounds.

Disclosing this with the media on Wednesday, January 18, Fr Sudeep Paul, director, Sandesha Foundation said, Dr Henry D’Souza, bishop of Bellary and chairman of the institute, will preside over the function.

Dr M Mohan Alva, chairman, Alva’s Educational Institutions, Moodbidri will be the chief guest. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, the bishop of Mangalore Diocese and Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, the bishop of Udupi diocese, Fr Sudeep Paul, the director of Sandesha, Roy Castelino and Fr Ivan Pinto, the trustees of the Institute will be the guests.

Clockwise from top: Andrew L D’Cunha, Chinappa Gowda, Joyce Ozario, Kotiganahalli Ramaiah, Raghavendra Patil, M S Murthy and Sabiha Bhoomigowda

The Sandesha Awards 2023 will be conferred on the following luminaries for their contrbutions in various fields:

• Sandesha Literature Award (Kannada)–Raghavendra Patil
• Sandesha Literature Award (Konkani)–Andrew L D’Cunha
• Sandesha Literature Award (Tulu)–Chinnappa Gowda
• Sandesha Media Award–Shivaji Ganeshan
• Sandesha Konkani Music Award–Joyce Ozario
• Sandesha Art Award–M S Murthy
• Sandesha Education Award–Kotiganahalli Ramaiah
• Sandesha Special Award–Prerana Resource Centre
• Sandesha Best Teacher Award–Sabiha Bhoomigowda

Brief note about the awardees

Andrew L D’Cunha: Active in Konkani literature for over 40 years, Andrew L D’Cunha is renowned as a creative contemporary Konkani poet. More than 600 of his poems, three poetry collections, 30 short stories, 50 articles, columns for children and poetry lovers, on contemporary social issues have been published in various Konkani magazines and websites.

He has also served as a judge for several Konkani literary competitions. His poetry collections have received Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Book Award, All India Konkani Writers’ Association Award, Vimala V Pai World Konkani Sahitya Puraskar, Dr TMA Pai Konkani Sahitya Puraskar.

Joyce Ozario: She was born on November 26, 1952 in Jeppu of Mangaluru. She has been singing and winning contests in the last 60 years. She is considered as Konkani’s one of the sweetest female voices. She has been singing as a lead female singer for Mandd Sobhann in all its shows and recordings, ever since its inception in the year 1986.

For her immense contribution to Konkani music, she has been decorated with the title of ’Konkani Abolem’, in the year 2011, at the third Konkani Global Music Awards. She is still active, singing on stage and recordings even at the age of 70.

Raghavendra Patil: He was born in 1951 in Betageri, Belagavi district. A teacher by profession, his writing genres are varied that include short stories, novels, critique, travelogue and editor. Odaps, Pratimi, Desagati, Maiya Mukhas, Kana Kaduthava Kabbakki, etc., are his collection of short stories while he has also penned novels like Theru, Amritavahini, Gayra Samajuti, Vagavada, Ananda Kanda, Madhyastha etc. His has also written the Travelogue of Unknown Mumbai and has to his credits dozens of edited works.

The language of his writing be it manly slang or village slang are beautiful. Most of his works have won some award or the other. Sandesha Award 2023 is a testimony to the solidity of his literary contribution. Among them, the most award-winning has been his anthology of stories, Maayiya Mukagalu. He has won Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Award, Vardhamana Award, Chaduranga Award, Dr Basu Patted Award, Vishwanath Varambally Award and many more awards.

To top it all, Raghavendra Patil’s novel “Theru” won the Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Best Novel Award in 2003 and the Central Sahitya Akademi Best Kannada Novel Award in 2005. “Theru” also attracted the attention of the youth as a textbook in the universities of Mysore and Dharwad. He was the editor of a quarterly magazine “Sahitya Samvad” and bimonthly magazine “Samahita” for a long time. It is special that both those newspapers have held literary dialogues at a high level and received recognition.

Whatever trends he created, has a literary edge. He has been the president of Betageri Krishna Sharma Memorial Foundation in Belgaum, president of Sahitya Sambrama Samiti held in Dharwad, trustee of Malladi Orphan Sevashram, trustee of Girardi Govinda Raja Foundation of Dharwad, founding editor of Ananda Kanda Granthmale. He is a prominent personality who has served with his literature in dozens of organizations.

Dr K Chinnappa Gowda: Dr K Chinnappa Gowda was formerly a professor in the Kannada department of Mangalore University. He has written literature in Kannada as well as Tulu. He was born in a town called Kuduru in Vittal of Dakshina Kannada district. He holds MA in Kannada from Madras University. He obtained his doctrate for his thesis Bhootaradane – Janapadiya Adhyana under the guidance of Dr Vivek Rai. He has served as assistant professor in SDM College. He has been a registrar of Mangalore University, professor in SVP Adhyana Samsthe, head of the department, dean of Arts Institute and vice chancellor of Karnataka Folklore University, Haveri.

He is an expert in modern Kannada literature and folklore studies. His expertise ranges from folklore, Tulu oral tradition to cultural studies. He has guided 13 PhD students and 5 M Phil students.

He did his post-doctoral fellowship in Finland and Japan Foundation Fellowship in Japan. He has been a cultural ambassador, visiting professor from Indian Council of India to Maxmillans University, Wurzburg, Germany. He has visited the University of Turkey, Finland, University of Tübingen, Maxmillen’s University of Uerzburg, Germany, Tsubochi Theater Museum, Wasada University, Tokyo, Japan as a professor on Folklore and Comparative Religions.

Chinnappa Gowda was a professor at the Kannada Postgraduate Studies Center of Mangalore University, has been with the Department of Tulu Literature and Research and has authored more than 20 books, including some studies, Jalata, Sankruti Siri and Ratnamanasa.

Shivaji Ganeshan: Born in 1954 in Malavalli Taluk of Mandya District, Shivaji Ganeshan studied Journalism in the University of Mysore. While still a student, he was writing articles for Andolana and Panchama newspapers, and in 1978, he joined Prajavani Daily as a sub-editor and reporter. Shivaji Ganeshan worked as a reporter in Hubballi, Dharwad, Tumkur and New Delhi for 10 years from 1990 and retired there as a senior reporter at Prajavani’s Bengaluru headquarters. Since his retirement, he has been serving as the head of community radio, “Radio Siddhartha 90.8” run by Sri Siddhartha Education Institute, Tumkur for the past 10 years. During his six-year tenure as a reporter in Delhi, he has observed and written about the administrative and governance styles of erstwhile prime ministers P V Narasimha Rao, H D Deve Gowda and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. During that period, he was also writing a column called “Delhi Dinachari.”

He is famous for writing articles and columns in the newspaper along with reports on political analysis, current affairs, social issues etc. The articles he was writing in Prajavani were published under the name S Ganeshan. Shivaji Ganeshan was an expert in analyzing the political arena of the state. As a reflection of his concern about the Dalit community, ‘Dalit Literature History’ and ‘Steps of Dalit Movement’ are written by him. Many organizations have honored his services. He has received many prestigious awards such as Aragam Ramayya Memorial Award, Karnataka Press Academy Award, Kempe Gowda Award and Press Club Annual Award.

Dr M S Murthy: Dr M S Murthy was born in Bengaluru in 1960. He found painting as a way of life for four decades. Murthy is an internationally acclaimed artist. He believes that the greatest strengths of his life are simplicity, courtesy, restraint and love that he captured through Buddha’s light, silence and alms bowl. His ‘Buddhanemba Belaku’ artwork was awarded “International Biennale” by the Academy of Arts, Iran. Hampi University honoured him with a doctorate for his thesis ‘Makkala Manasina Chitragalu.’

He has created one of the first novels in the art world called ‘Drishya’ through pictures, which has also won an award from the Karnataka Drama Book Authority. His works of art are included in the permanent collections of prestigious National Gallery of Modern Art in Delhi, Art Acre Museum in Kolkata and many national and international museums.

M S Murthy has also made a name as writer. His play “Yashodhare Malagiralilla’’ has been translated into many languages. It was awarded Banuli National Award. He has received the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award for his essay collection Desinagu. ‘Bowl’ is a novel created under the shadow of Buddha which was released recently.

Dr M S Murthy served as the President of the Karnataka Lalitha Kala Academy and received many awards such as ‘Varnashilpi Venkatappa Award’’, ``Karnataka Rajyotsava Award", "Mysore Dasara Kala Award." He has organized many international art exhibitions, hundreds of art camps at state and national level.

Kotiganahalli Ramaiah: He was born in Kotiganahalli in Hassan District in 1955. While he wears many hats. He has been singled out for his role in founding AADIMA, an institution that experiments with children’s theatre, films, education and social consciousness, and for proposing a distinct philosophy of learning. He has argued that existing learning disconnects a child, particularly from lowly communities, from their distinct cultural moorings and the meanings associated with them, and makes him/her a plaything of modes of dominance. He seeks to rebuild integrated community learning through resources and memories close to a child’s life-world such as Ragi, Bamboo etc. Over the last three decades he has developed a dozen street plays for children woven around ‘instinctive learning’ and ‘survival knowledge of ordinary people.’ He has inspired other performance acts such as the open air theatre. AADIMA, the cultural centre operates from the picturesque boulder-filled landscape of Shatashrunga Konda in Kolar.

His plays include Kaage Kannu Irve Bala, Nayi Thippa, Ratnapaksi, Kannaspatre Quenalli Jagadambe, Hakki Hadu, Vogatina Rani etc. He has also written award winning scripts and dialogues for feature films, documentaries, educational films and films associated with government programmes.

He was associated with the Dalita Sangharsh Samiti for two decades and written extensively for Dalit revolution journals. He has worked as a reporter in Lankesh Patrike, Mungaru and Suddi Sangati and was editor of Panchama, a fortnightly journal.

His many awards include Karnataka Sahitya Akademy Award (2012), Suvarna Ranga Samman, Kannada Sangha Kanthavara (2012) and Karnataka Rajyotsava Award (2005).

M R Prashantha /Prerana Resource Centre: Based in Bangalore, Prerana Resource Center is a ray of hope in the midst of darkness for the destitute women, poor children and disabled individuals. Set up in 1992, by the dedicated women of Goraguntepalya, ‘Prerana’ spearheads the struggle for the welfare of the lesser fortunate people. M R Prashantha, who holds an MA in Psychology, is a dedicated social worker. During her exclusive visit to rural area, she was moved by the pathetic conditions of the disabled, especially the visually impaired teenaged girls here. Her determination to uplift the blind/disabled girls resulted in establishment of ’Prerana’ Hostel for the Blind/Disabled teenage girls.

The main focus of ‘Prerana’ has been the upliftment of the neglected, disabled poor girls especially the blind, by training them, providing employment and instilling confidence in them to lead a normal cheerful life despite the handicap. Prerana is also involved in many activities for the upliftment of local poor and also to bring about social and cultural awareness in them.

Prerana is providing free and shelter for 120 teenaged blind/disabled poor orphan girls. The important activities of Prerana are providing free hostel for 120 blind, disabled, downtrodden and destitute women, counselling services for the blind and disabled, education to the blind, disabled orphan girls from interior villages, orientation and mobility training, home management training, vocational training like garlands, basket making, cover making etc., organizing marriages of visually impaired and disabled girls, training in industries and placement and providing aid and appliances and also referral services.

In recognition of her tireless work, the Government of India honored her with an award in 2001. The Government of Karnataka honored Shrimati Prashantha with the Rajyotsava Award. The Inspiration Resource Center has received several awards, the first of which was the Kittur Rani Chennamma Prasasti. Mrs. Prashantha’s daughter, Meghana Jois, gave up her job in a foreign company and was engaged in full-time motivational work. Presently the motivational institute has its own independent building.

Eight marriages between a blind man and a blind woman have been performed in the motivational shelter. Many volunteers are coming forward and providing free service and financial assistance for motivation. The central government has honored Mrs. Meghana Jois with a special award in 2015 for her ability to take up the responsibility of mother.

Sabiha Bhoomigowda: Sabiha Bhumi Gowda was born in Mysuru. She has 25 years of teaching experience and 10 years of research experience. She has written many poems and short stories in Kannada. In 1992, she was awarded PhD for her thesis on Origin, growth and Development of Short Stories in Dakshina Kannada. She was a professor in the Department of Kannada Studies, Mangalore University and the director of the Shivram Karanta Peetha. She has served as a member of Karnataka Sahitya Akademy, worked as director of Centre for Women’s Studies. She has served as the in-charge head of Chikka Aluwara Postgraduate Center of Mangalore University, Kodagu and vice-chancellor of Karnataka Women’s University.

Some of her major research projects are, Unmarried Women of South Kannada District- Socio-Cultural Study with the Women’s Studies Center of Mangalore University and a major research project of UGC - Feminist Thoughts in Developing Countries. She also undertook a research study titled Movements and Struggles in Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu and Udupi Districts in Kannada Language Development Project.

She has served as an office bearer in various organizations. She has served in Coastal Writers and Readers Association, Mangaluru as its president from 1998-2000, Kannada University, Hampi during 2002-2005 - as a member of its senate and a member of the Women’s Studies Centre’s Advisory Committee of Mangalore University.

About Sandesha

Sandesha Foundation for Culture and Education, Mangaluru started in the year 1989 and was registered as charitable institution in the year 1991. It aims to build a value based society and tries to foster harmony by encouraging and supporting the art, culture, education and folklore related activities. It is also an educational institution which trains students at various levels in music, dance, art and painting. It also conducts courses in journalism, media education, public speaking and other similar courses. It organises workshops on drama, poetry, media and other related subjects. It brings together people from all walks of life.

Sandesha Awards

‘Sandesha Awards’ programme is an important annual feature of Sandesha Foundation. It is to appreciate and recognize outstanding and value based contributions made by various personalities through Literature, Journalism, Arts, Education, Music, Media and Social Service etc.