Dolcy D’Cruz
The ‘Yuva Srujan Puraskar’ (Navsarjan – Chetana Puraskar) aims to honour emerging artists who have made remarkable contributions in their respective disciplines, encouraging creativity and cultural excellence among the youth. For the year 2025–26, six young achievers have been selected.
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SAURABH KARKHANIS – DRAMA Saurabh Milind Karkhanis from Caranzalem, is a theatre artist for the past 18 years. He has acted in 43 different plays, some of which have crossed the 100 shows mark. He has also directed eight plays both for competition and semi commercial production. Saurabh has acted in seven films, both Konkani and Marathi including ‘O Maria’, ‘Suring’, ‘Home Sweet Home’ and ‘Questao de Cofusao’, and also in five short films. He has also done VFX for two films. Besides acting, he has also directed Konkani and Marathi plays, ‘Anta Anta Shirmanta’, ‘Dil Mange More’, ‘Chalte Chalte’, ‘Nava Gadi, Nava Rajya’, ‘Artyak Parte’ and ‘Ata Mhaji Satakli’. He recently won the first place for acting at All Goa A Group Drama Competition (Marathi) in 2025 for ‘Lear ne Jagava Ki Marava’. “It feels amazing to have been honoured with the Yuva Srujan Puraskar. It’s like my dream come true. I’m now even more motivated to carry on my work in the field of theatre. Without taking any formal education in theatre, I am blessed to have friends, guides, teachers, who shaped my career and contributed heavily for my success. I would like to thank each and every one who have helped, guided and inspired me,” says Saurabh.
VISHANT GAUDE – FOLK-ART/CRAFT Vishant V Gaude started his journey in the field of folk art over two decades ago by performing in local Jagor Utsav and Mussal dance performances at various competitions and programmes through Saraswati Kala Mandal, Kelbai, Curti, Ponda. He is well-versed in performing Goan folk art forms such as Samai Nrutya, Mussal Nrutya, Goff, Ghodemodni, Veerbhadra, and Jagor, among others. He has performed in many folk festivals in Goa, including Lokotsav Panaji, Lokotsav Canacona, BRICS, Goa Saras, Youth Festivals, etc., as well as at the national level in Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand.
DEEPRAJ SATORDEKAR – LITERATURE Vizar Panchawadi, Ponda-based Deepraj Satordekar has written Konkani dramas as well as published his books, ‘Saran Jalltana’, ‘She! Kavlo Apudla’ and ‘Natyaaswad (Critics)’ in Konkani. An assistant professor at Government College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Quepem, Deepraj has presented research papers on Konkani Dramas in Goa and Karnataka and has participated in All India Young Writers Festival at Dibrugarh, Assam. He staged Konkani dramas in different festivals and competitions in Goa. Konkani drama ‘Rakhan Devachi’ won first place for script at All Goa Konkani Drama Competition organised by Sankalp Theatre, Curchorem at Ravindra Bhavan, Curchorem. One Act Play ‘Poonam Ka Chand’ won best script award for the Inter-Collegiate One Act Competition organised by Kala Academy. He wrote and directed ‘She! Kavlo Apudla’ which was presented for All Goa Konkani Drama Competition organised by Kala Academy. He also wrote and directed Konkani drama ‘The Birth of Death’, which was presented for All Goa Konkani Drama Competition organised by Kala Academy and won first place for Script. He is currently working on a PhD on ‘Critical
analysis of characters from selected plays of Pundalik Naik.’ “Yuva Srujan Puraskar is a recognition for an upcoming writer. This award is a responsibility towards creating some more qualitative works in future. My mentor Dr Rajay Pawar, my supportive life partner, Ravina, my group members and the audience trusted me. And the result of this is Yuva Srujan Puraskar,” says Deepraj.
GOVIND NAIK – DRAMA Govind Sabaji Naik is a performing artist, music trainer and theatre director. Currently working as a music trainer with the Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of Goa, Govind is involved in various social activities, consistently motivating and promoting the music and theatre culture in his locality in Ribandar. He has actively worked and performed with various social and cultural groups as an accomplished actor and also as a mentor director for theatre plays. He started his theatre journey at the age of 6 years, Govind went to direct plays like ‘One Two Ka Four’, ‘Adhaantar’, ‘Kshadayantra’, ‘Moruchi Mavshi’, ‘Sangeet Ayodhyecha Dhwajadand’, ‘Vastraharan’, ‘Shrimant Damodar Pant’, ‘Hands Up’, ‘Laakhan’, ‘Kaccha Limbu’ and ‘Raigadla Jevmha Jaag Yete’, many more. He won best actor in Marathi One-Act Play Competition awarded by Kala Academy and Sakal Karandak, Pune. More recently, he won the best director award for the play ‘Sangeet Vishrabda Sharade’ at the 10th Akhil Goa Mahila Natya Spardha organised by Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir, Ponda and the first place for the play ‘Adhaantar’ in ‘BA-GAT’ Rajya Natya Spardha organized by Kala Academy. Govind represented Goa at Yuva Mahotsav held in Chennai. He participated in ‘Yuva Rang’ programme on Doordarshan and also performed in the Nakshatrotsav musical festival organised by Kala Academy. “This honour is not the destination, it’s a motivation to create more. Success is earned through passion, not privilege. This is all because of my friends, my parents and my mentors,” says Govind.
VISHANT GAUDE – FOLK-ART/CRAFT Vishant V Gaude started his journey in the field of folk art over two decades ago by performing in local Jagor Utsav and Mussal dance performances at various competitions and programmes through Saraswati Kala Mandal, Kelbai, Curti, Ponda. He is well-versed in performing Goan folk art forms such as Samai Nrutya, Mussal Nrutya, Goff, Ghodemodni, Veerbhadra, and Jagor, among others. He has performed in many folk festivals in Goa, including Lokotsav Panaji, Lokotsav Canacona, BRICS, Goa Saras, Youth Festivals, etc., as well as at the national level in Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand. He has been performing ‘Nikhandar’ in the traditional village Jagor Utsav organised every year in the month of May. He has been participating in the All Goa Matoli Competition since 2016 organised by the Directorate of Art and Culture and has won various prizes. “The Department of Art and Culture is doing commendable work in promoting art and culture by encouraging young artists, providing them with opportunities to showcase their talent, and recognising their contributions through various state level awards. I am grateful to have received the Yuva Srujan Puraskar which has brought greater recognition to my work and helping more people become aware of what I do. Such recognition not only motivates artists but also opens doors to new projects and opportunities in the future,” says Vishant.
UMAKANT POKE – SCULPTURE Umakanth Tukaram Poke from Morjim has great joy in showcasing his talent to the younger generation through his pottery demonstration. He has undergone training at Central Village Pottery Institute (CVPI), Khanapur, under KPJ Prabhu Artisan Training Institute, and in clay Ganesh idol making in Mumbai. He has been engaged in clay Ganesh idol making for many years and has received first place in the sculpture category at the Goa State Art Exhibition. He runs workshops and has conducted pottery demonstrations at various places across Goa, including educational institutes. He has participated in major events such as Lokotsav, Cashew Festival, Nomozo event, and Purple Fest, Viksit Bharat, Margao, where he has also given live pottery demonstrations. He has conducted training in Ganesh idol making for inmates at the Central Jail. He has participated in the IITF Exhibition in Delhi and the International BTL Exhibition in Lisbon, Portugal. He continues to make public Ganesh clay idols at various places across Goa and has installed many statues throughout the state. “It is a great honour to receive the Yuva Srujan Puraskar. I thank the Department of Art and Culture and the Government of Goa for this recognition. This award is not only an acknowledgement of my efforts but also a responsibility to continue working with dedication and honesty. I am grateful to my family, friends, and everyone who has supported me throughout my journey. I hope this recognition inspires more young people to contribute meaningfully to our community and the nation,” says Umakant
GAUTAM GAWAS – BHAJAN Gautam Gopinath Gawas is a talented young artist from Keri-Sattari, widely recognized for his contributions to the fields of Indian classical music, devotional singing, and theatre. He has established a distinguished reputation in Bhajans, Abhangs, and the traditional Ghumat Aarti. Having been actively involved in music since childhood, he has participated as a lead vocalist in numerous prestigious Bhajan festivals, cultural events, and competitions across Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka, earning several awards, honours, and accolades for his performances. He received his primary musical training under State awardee Ramchandra Naik. Later, he underwent three years of formal training in Indian Classical Vocal Music at the Kala Academy Centre, Sankhali, under the guidance of renowned Goan classical vocalist Prachala Amonkar. For the past six years, he has been receiving advanced training in Hindustani classical music, Raga-based Bhajan, and Goa’s traditional Bhajan under the guidance of renowned Bhajan exponent and Yuva Srujan awardee, Vitthal Shirodkar. He has achieved remarkable success in Goa Kala Academy Bhajan competitions and has presented his art on various religious, cultural, and social platforms throughout Goa and Maharashtra. “Receiving the Yuva Srujan Puraskar is one of the most prestigious milestones in my artistic journey. This honour recognizes my dedicated contribution to preserving and promoting Goa’s rich tradition of Bhajan music. It inspires me to continue serving society through devotional music and cultural heritage. I sincerely dedicate this award to my respected gurus, my family, fellow artists, and all music lovers who have supported me throughout my journey. This recognition strengthens my commitment to preserving our traditional Bhajan culture for future generations. I remain grateful to the Government of Goa for appreciating my efforts in the field of Goan traditional Bhajan. I will continue striving for excellence in music and culture with humility and devotion. This award is not only an achievement but also a responsibility to uphold the values of our rich musical heritage,” says Gautam.
