Kalasampath

Originally Kala Sampath, Mangalore was started in 1972. This name was suggested by, Little ChaFra from Bejai - Kavi Shri Loui Pereira. When I asked him to name a group of artists, he said: "Why not Kala Sampath". Then with the help from Shri Oswald M. D'Souza (now in Abudhabi) we played my first Konkani play "Thum Salvaar Zanvchonaim!" at the Don Bosco Hall. Then I got involved in Catholic Action League, Bendur; Catholic Youth Movement, Diocese of Mangalore; Konkani Bhasha Mandal (R), Karnatak; Konkani Natak Sabha (R), Mangalore and I thought there is no need to continue this association.

In 1978 we wanted to hold Diocese level Konkani Drama Competitions and we found no support from any Konkani associations. This time my friend Shri Arthur D'Souza (now in Derebail, Mangalore) told me that why can't we start our own association and take this task in our own hands? And we jointly agreed to this idea and revived Kala Sampath, Mangalore. Since then Kala Sampath is active in Mangalore with the help of Konkani supporters.

In 1996 when I wanted to start a new lions club of members from Indian origin, I baptized our new lions club as Broadview Kala Sampath Lions Club. Thus Kala Sampath, USA was born. In 1999 then Consul General of India in Chicago Shri J.C.Sharma asked me to perform a Konkani program at the Chicago Cultural Center. This time we started Kala Sampath Cultural Assocaition of America and performed in several places in Chicago, Oak Park and Forest Park.

Austin Prabhu, USA