Goa CM announces recipients of state cultural awards

Panaji, Mar 5 (UNI) Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat, who is also the Minister for Art and Culture, today announced the names of the receipients for the state Cultural Awards here.

Mr Kamat, speaking to newspersons after announcing the awards said, the government of Goa honour eminent personalities every year which was implemented in 1979-80. Till date, 202 outstanding personalities have been honoured with the awards.

''Goa has a rich cultural heritage and the people who preserve this culture needs to be promoted and such awards may be conferred regularly so that their contribution in the field shall be always remembered and acknowledged,'' The Chief Minister said. This will also give directions to the future generation to lead their life in achieving such recognition and it will be a boost for the other artists to contribute for the society and general public, he added.

The state Cultural Awards compromise of a cash prize of Rs 20,000, a certificate, a coconut, a Nataraj replica and a shawl.

Sixteen eminent personalities for their valuable contribution in the field of culture through various art forms such as music, drama, folk art, bhajan, kirtan, craft and literature have been named for the award in the presence of Chairman selection Committee Mr Shreedhar Kamat Bambolkar and Director of Arts and Culture Mr Prasad Lolayekar.

The recepient of the awards were: Mr Damodar Mauzo, Dr Somnath Datta Komarpant, Mr John Gomes(Kokoy)(all literature), Mr Maruti Venkatesh Kurdikar, Agostinho Costa alias Agust de Pachwadi, Ramanand Baboirao Raikar(all Music), Ms Mahananda Babu Amonkar (Yelekar)(Drama), Mr Patrick Dourado, Ms Maria C Cardozo alis Jessie Dias (Both Tiatro), Rama Bhima Perni Vaghurmekar, Benicio Vitorino Pereira(both Folk Art), Madhusudan Krishna Chari, Madhusudhan Gangaram Thali(both Bhajan), Mr Shripadbuva Ramkrishna Dhole (Kirtan) and Mr Paulino Fernandes, Shyam Dulba Kalangutkar(both Craft).

UNI SRN DB GL KN1427