The Directorate of Art and Culture, organised Kala Gaurav Puraskar 2016-2017 to appreciate and felicitate artists for their contribution to preserve art, culture and literature in the state. The awardees Radha Arvind Kamat Wagh (Theater), Ashok Bhonsle (Literature), Laxmi Vishnu Pagi (Folk Art), Nandkishor FalDesai (Theater), Shrikant Bhikaji Kannaik (Bhajan), Suresh Mahadev Govekar (Theater), Deu Gopal Parwar (Craft), Rohidas Tukaram Phadte (Theater), Shrikant Jaidev Tari (Bhajan), Ratnakant Sukaji Parab (Music), Shriram Kurdikar (Theater), Mukund Purushottam Naik (Theater), Shripad Krishnanath Bhosle (Theater), Uttam Babani Parwar (Craft), Chandradas Vaman Joshi (Kirtan), John Gracias (Tiatr), Dnyaneshwar Jaidev (Tiatr), Caetano Pinto (Tiatr), Aleixo Fernandes alias Alex (Tiatr), Mathias Manuelinho Luis (Tiatr), Sachivrat Ramnath Naik (Theater), Dayanand Vithal Govenkar (Theater), Narayan Shirodkar (Music), Francis Xavier Mendes (Tiatr), Bhiva Bhuto Gaonkar (Folk Art), Neela Telang (Literature) and Francisco Fernandes (Music) were presented with the awards by chief guest, minister of Art and Culture, Dayanand Mandrekar in the presence of secretary of Art and Culture, Daulat Hawaldar and director of Art and Culture, Prasad Lolayekar on Wednesday at Institute Menezes Braganza, Panaji.
On behalf of all the awardees, Neela Telang and John Gracias thanked the Directorate of Art and Culture for identifying and giving due recognition to their talents.
Hawaldar in his address spoke about the self respect of an artist while giving an example of Laxman Pai he said: “Laxman Pai refused to accept a job which was below his standards and moved to Paris for his talents to get due recognition. He was recently awarded with the Gomant Vibhushan Award, the highest civilian award in the state. A creative artist does not get support from his family or relatives and if they continue their art, that art will flourish.”
Dayanand Mandrekar said that when the artists took up to this creative form of art he/she did not know whether or not the work will be appreciated and awarded. “The work done by an artist is a selfless contribution given to the society. While determination is the key to success it must be accompanied by hard work for one to achieve desired results,” said Mandrekar. He further said that the contribution of an artist in preserving Goan culture and heritage in rural areas must me identified and felicitated. “The Directorate of Art and Culture receives very few recommendations to felicitate artists although Goa has a large number of skilled artists,” revealed Mandrekar.