Shri. Kalraj Mishra, Hon’ble Governor of Rajasthan and Chairman of Wezt Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur presented the prestigious Dr Komal Kothari Life Time Achievement Lok Kala Puraskar for the year 2020 to eminent Goan Folk Artist, Shri. Kanta Kashinath Gaude and Folk Researcher Scholar, Padma Shri, Shri. Vinayak Vishnu Khedekar, both from Goa, on 25th March 2021 at Raj Bhavan, Jaipur in a specially organised function.
On this occasion, Shri. Kalraj Mishra appealed to all the concerned to create a conducive atmosphere in the Society for preservation and propagation of folk art forms. He stressed need for providing more opportunities for Folk Art performers and also to undertake Documentation of Traditional Folk Art forms. Governor, Shri. Mishra was addressing the Dr. Komal Kothari Life Time Achievement Award presentation function. Hon’ble Governor felicitated Folk Researcher, Padma Shri, Vinayak Vishnu Khedekar and Folk Musician & Dancer, Shri. Kanta Kashinath Gaude with Dr. Komal Kothari Award. The prestigious award carries a purse of Rs. 2,51,000/- and silver scroll and shawl.
Since the inception of this Komal Kothari Award instituted by West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur in 2016, this is the first occasion wherein Goan Artists have been recipient of this award. The purse amount of this award was divided between the two(2) Goan Artists selected this year. Dr. Komal Kothari who has been credited with his life time contribution of research on Rajasthani Folk Art, Folk Music and Folk Theatre, besides folk songs and Folklores, was the recipient of Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards of Govt of India. The award is instituted by West Zone Cultural Centre, under the Chairmanship of Governor of Rajasthan in memory of Dr. Komal Kothari. The Folk Artists from States of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa & Union Territories of Dadra & Nagar Haveli, are considered for selection for this Award. In the past, the award has been received by Folk Artists from Rajasthan, Gujarat States.
Shri. Kanta Kashinath Gaude has contributed for preservation and propagation of ‘Jagor’ Folk Theatre Form as well as presentation of musical ‘ Beti Bachao, Beti Padao’ in Goa’ s Suvari folk music style.
Shri. Vinayak Vishnu Khedekar, has done extensive research on the traditional Folk Art forms of Goa including Folk Instruments, Folk Dance, rituals and traditions and has already published 13 research books out of which some of the works have been recognised as ‘Monumental” Literature on Folk Art Forms.
On the occasion of this specially organised function, Governor, Shri. Mishra, also laid foundation stone of West Zone Cultural Centre’s ‘ Sanskruti Bhavan’ in a virtual mode. The recorded message of Union Tourism and Cultural Minister, Shri. Prahlad Singh Patel was also relayed in this function. Dr. Kiran Soni Gupta, Director of West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur, in her address stated that West Zone Cultural Centre is making consistent efforts to provide platform to the Folk Artists and also encouraging activities of research and Documentation of traditional Folk Art forms existing in the component States of West Zone Cultural Centre. She also highlighted the contribution of Late Dr. Komal Kothari in whose name the award has been instituted by West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur
The function was also attended by Shri. Subhir Kumar, Secretary to Governor of Rajasthan, Shri. Govindrai Jaiswal, Officer on special duty to the Governor, besides, the board members of West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur attended the function virtual online mode.
