Ajit Kerkar and Vidya Pai chosen for Dr. P. Dayananda Pai Vishwa Konkani Puraskar 2022

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, January 22, 2023: The World Konkani Centre has instituted two new awards this year in the name of its chief Patron Dr. P. Dayananda Pai. Based on the recommendations by the jury committees, Ajit Ganapat Shenvi Kerkar from Goa and Vidya Pai of Kolkota have been chosen for the award for the year 2022.

Ajit Ganapat Shenvi Kerkar and Vidya Pai

 
Ajit Ganapat Shenvi Kerkar, has been chosen for the Dr. P. Dayananda Pai Vishwa Konkani Ranga Shreshta Puraskar 2022 considering the life time contribution to the field of theatre and their contribution to the Konkani Cause and Vidya Pai, has been chosen for the Dr. P. Dayananda Pai Vishwa Konkani Anuvada Puraskar 2022 considering the enormity and impact of her Translation work of Konkani Literature in to English resulting in worldwide exposure for the Konkani literature.

Both the above awards carry Rs. 1.00 lakh each prize money and award plaque. The awards will be bestowed upon the recipients during the Vishwa Konkani Awards Ceremony to be held on 9th February 2023 in the presence of Chief Patron Dr. P. Dayananda Pai and other dignitaries.


A Brief Profiles of awardees:
Ajit Ganpat Shenvi Kerkar has served the Konkani Theatre scene in the past 54 years in Goa. Today at 72 years of age, he still continues to be in the field of Konkani theatre by acting, directing and designing the sets for Konkani dramas. So far has acted in 89 Productions and directed 43 Production of Dramas with innumerable shows across Goa and Maharashtra. All in all,he was instrumental for the success of 143 Theatrical Productions. He has won 43 Special Awards in Dramas (35 for Acting, 4 for Direction and 4 for Set Designing) Shri Kerkar is the only actor in Goa to have won the state level best actor award for 7 times including 4 times in a row. He has won Best Director award 3 times at state level and 2nd Prize for Direction once at State Level and once at National Level. Has won 4 Prizes at State Level for set designing.

Vidya Pai lives in Kolkota. She has translated Konkani 68 Short Stories and 7 Novels in to English and published in reputed publications all across the world. PhD. Thesis have been written based on her work and Konkani Literature has received much needed attention in the literary world due to VidyaPai’s work. Konkani literature has travelled across other Indian Languages based on the works translated in to English by Vidya Pai.