Mangalore : Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy celebrated the International Konkani Theatre Day at Konkani Sahitya Academy on March 27, Wednesday.

Speaking after inaugurating the event, S Malathi, National Theatre School graduates and theatre director said that in the year 1930, the craze of professional theatre started to decrease. But when the political and social situation changed during Indian Emergency in 1970’s, theatre was given importance again to stage the street play in order to create awareness among the people.

She also said that today youngster are more attracted towards films and are not willing to act in the theatre. The theatre suffers since lack of lady artistes, money payment and no place for theatre.

She also said that in theatre all the artistes work without caste, class and gender discrimination. Theatre enables ones personality development and increases ability to take self decision.

Film does not have life like theatre, because it is just a medium for making business, but theatre is a school for personality development.

Earlier theatre artistes were not respected, but today society has changed their way of thinking and encourages plays and theatre artistes by felicitating them.

The Academy also unveiled and paid the floral tribute to the portraits of three eminent Konkani theatre artiste and directors such as late Ramanand Choorya, Hosada Babbuttu Nayak and Charles Francis D’Costa.

Theatre artistes like John Permannur, Deepali Kambhadhakone, Vitobha Bhandarkar and Charan Kumar Mallya were honoured with shawl, memento and citation.

Kasargod Chinna, president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy delivered the introductory speech. Mahesh R Nayak, member of Academy welcomed the guests and gathering.