Kasaragod Chinna has been selected for the 21st Kalakar Puraskar, an award jointly instituted by Karval Family of Kundapura and Mandd Sobhann to honour individuals for their significant contribution to Konkani art and culture.
The award ceremony will be held on November 2, 2025, at Kalangann, Shaktinagar at 6:00 PM. Mangaluru South MLA D. Vedavyas Kamath will present the award, which includes a cash prize of ₹50,000. Language expert Dr. Pratap Naik and Muscat-based entrepreneur and Konkani art promoter Stanley Fernandes (Dattu) will attend as guests of honour. Mandd Sobhann President Louis J. Pinto will preside over the programme.
Srinivas Rao S (68), popularly known in theatre circles as Kasaragod Chinna, holds a DFA degree with a gold medal in acting. Starting his theatre journey in 1969, he has acted in over 400 plays across Konkani, Kannada, Tulu, Malayalam and English. He has also directed plays, translated works, and performed for Akashvani and Doordarshan. He has staged multiple experimental theatre forms such as Lorry Natak, Geeth Sangeeth Rath, Yakshatheru, Kannada Swara and Mime, with numerous performances. He has also directed and acted in films. His directed Konkani film “Ujwaadu” received the 2011 Karnataka State Award for Best Regional Film.
As former President of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, he organised several programmes. Through the initiative ‘Ghar Ghar Konkani’, he worked towards spreading language awareness among various Konkani communities. Through the Ranga Chinnari Trust, he has been involved in multiple cultural activities. His translated compilation “Tees Kaniyo” received the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Book Award. He has also received the Konkani Academy Honorary Award, Karnataka Nataka Academy Award, Kerala Rajyotsava Award, and several other recognitions at the state, national and international levels.
Following the award ceremony, the 287th Monthly Theatre Series will feature the 17th Maxim Night Rasamanjari, presented by Maxim Pereira and team.
The Kalakar Puraskar was instituted in 2005 by the Karval Family in association with Mandd Sobhann to honour Konkani artistes. So far, the award has been presented to:
Arunraj Rodrigues (Theatre), Joel Pereira (Music), Harry D’Souza (Brass Band), V. Charles Vas (Devotional Music), Anuradha Dhareswar (Music), Sant Bhadragiri Achyutdas – Bengaluru (Harikatha), James Lopiis – Honnavar (Brass Band), Norbert Gonsalves (Music), Francis Fernandes Cassia (Theatre), Roshan D’Souza (Music), Christopher D’Souza (Theatre), Avil D’Cruz (Dance), M. Gopal Gowda (Folk Art), Dolla Mangalore (Theatre), Irene Rebello (Wedding Sobane Songs), Anita D’Souza (Singing), Nihal Tavro (Singing), Melwyn Peris (Music), Apolinaris D’Souza (Singing) and Roshan Bel (Music).