9 artistes bag Goa State Cultural Awards for 1996-1997
Navhind Times

From http://www.navhindtimes.com/

The Directorate of Art & Culture (Goa) will present the State Cultural Awards of the year 1996-97 to the personalities in the field of drama, music, literature and craft in recognition to their outstanding contribution and services rendered in the field of art and culture in the state. The awards will be presented by the Chief Minister, Mr Francisco Sardinha. The Art & Culture Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat, will preside over the function. The function will be held this evening (21/7/2000)at 5.30 p.m. at Institute Menezes Braganza, Panaji.

Following is brief profile of the artistes who will be honoured by conferring the state awards.

Craft: Mr Shiva S Chari: Born at Manddur Dongri, Mr Chari started his career in craftsmanship during his early age of childhood.  He has to his credit extensive works done such as main entrance doors, carpentry work, wooden carving work, polishing etc. in different temples of Goa and traditional furniture in Goan houses. His important contribution was that of repairing and polishing the old statues of saints and alters and carpentry work at St Francis Xavier’s Church at Old Goa.

Literature:
Mr Ramakant Poulenkar: A Konkani writer and journalist, born on April 16, 1933. He was a press reporter of Marathi daily Prabhat published from Pune and various local dailies of Goa. From 1954, he penned poetries and news report in Roman Konkani newspaper and weeklies and short stories in Konkani magazines. His books published in Konkani (Roman and Devnagiri) are; Ankvarponantlo Mog, Natalanchim Fulam, Bhirankull Xevott, Donaldo Ani Lucinda, Bhavartachem Tivim, Zoitache Put Ami, Sitani Guttt, Murth Tuvench Ghodoili, Sukhi Sounsarachi Chavi, Savlli Vikha Rukhachi, Khoim Asa Natem Rogtachem, Xakt Bhavartachi.

Literature:
Mr Pundalik S Narvekar: Born at Banddiwade, Ponda on June 30, 1925. He has written articles and short stories in Local dailies. He authored books Vighnaharta, Mrugjal Dhutchakra, Kalandar, Navamichya, Madhyaratri and Sharadbabuchya Nayeeka. He was a member of Gomantak Marathi Academy in 1994, chairperson of Pragatik Marathi Sahitya Samelan in 1994, and Marathi Sahitya Melava in 1996.
                                     
Drama: Ms Leela Desai Haldankar:
She hails from Khandola, Marcela. Ms Haldankar has started acting in dramas from early childhood. Later on from the age of 10, late Vasant Amonkar, a well-known director and producer noted her talent and encouraged her offering roles in Gaulan Kalo. She also learned classical music under Pandit Vishwaanath Jadhav at Sangli and appeared for the exams at Akashvani, Pune and then came back to Goa and worked for Akashwani for 25 years.
                                     
Drama (Teatro): Mr Jose Lourenco Vaz alias Master Vaz:
Born on September 6, 1927 in Mapusa in a family of Tiatrist. Today Master Vaz is the only living disciple of late Legendary Minguel Rod. At the age of six he was introduced to the stage by Ernest Rebello in his drama, Bomboiche Istil as a child artist. Since his father was known as Mr Vaz, the young boy was named Master Vaz. He has written, directed and staged around 25 plays, among the best plays have been Bapui, Malgoddo Put Fulgoddo and Ghoracho Divo. He has staged his plays all over Goa, Maharashtra, Daman, Delhi, Karachi and Africa.
                                     
Drama: Mr Narayan P Tari Volvoikar: Born on February 27, 1926, he learnt basic lessons in acting in the traditional Goan theatre in 1939 from his father late Pandurang D Tari. The role in Marathi drama Dhanurbhang at Volvoi projected him to be distinguished actor and able director. In 1942 acted in Lalatlekha drama with  drama maestros of Goa late Dattarambapu and Gangarambapu of Volvoi. He has also played female character roles.
                                     
Music: Late Dattaram Honaji Naik Volvoilar: Born on November 7, 1934, he has acquired degree in music Visharad from Akhil Bhara-tiya Gandharv Mahavidyalaya Mandal. Has practised and taught bhajans and Indian classical music for more than 40 years. After completing his primary education he has also studied classical music under the guidance of Pt Ratnakant Ramnathkar for three years at Kala Academy, and Pt Shripadbua Mhadye for seven years. He was a vocalist at All-India Radio for last 35 years, active participant in bhajan, Dindi in Margao.
                                     
Music: Mr Govindrao Jaiwantrao Tanksale: Born on Aug 18, 1918 at the age of 35 he took lessons in music from Govindrao Jogi Buva, for 13 years. He has passed Gandarva Mahavidyalaya’s examination in first class. He learnt natya sangeet under the guidance of late Vasantrao Deshpande, Samrat Chota Gandharv and many others. He also learnt tabla with late Rajaram Mandrekar from Guirim.
                                     
Music: Mr Krishna Virdikar: Born on January 15 1927. Popularly known as Krishna Gayak Virdikar. Right from his childhood, he has aptitude for playing the instruments tabla and Harmonium. He has received basic training under the guidance of his uncle late Ladu Virdikar, and further training under late Manohar Ramnathkar and Gangadhaar Sakhaikar in Mumbai. He has accompanied on tabla for dramas, kirtans, natya sangeet and classical vocal singing for famous Goan artists.
                                       
The Goa-World Team congratulates these great artistes.

Gasper Almeida/Ulysses Menezes
Goa-World Team  http://www.goa-world.net/