22nd Kalakar Puraskar Announced for Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas
Mangaluru: The 22nd Kalakar Puraskar, jointly instituted by the Carvalho family and Mandd Sobhann to recognise excellence in the performing arts, has been awarded to Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, a musician, composer and parish priest of Karkala Town Church. He has been selected in recognition of his outstanding contributions to devotional music and his efforts to encourage young talent in the field of music.
The award ceremony will be held on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 6 p.m. at Kalaangann, Shaktinagar. Non-resident entrepreneur and philanthropist Ronald Pinto of Abu Dhabi will be the chief guest, while noted linguist Dr. Pratap Naik of Goa will attend as the guest of honour. Louis J. Pinto will preside over the function.
The award comprises a shawl, fruits and flowers, a memento, a citation and a cash prize of ₹50,000.
A Multifaceted Personality
Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas is a multifaceted personality who has served as a priest, educator, musician, composer and administrator. Born in Kelmbet-Bola in 1954, he was ordained a priest in 1981 and has served in various parishes and educational institutions.
In recognition of his contribution to education, the Dakshina Kannada district administration honoured him with the Best Teacher Award in 2005. He also served as the first secretary of the Catholic Board of Education of the Udupi Diocese.
A Distinguished Journey in Konkani Music
Rev. Fr. Clement entered the Konkani music scene in 1994 in collaboration with the late Rev. Fr. Valerian Mendonca. The duo became popularly known as the “Laxmikant-Pyarelal of Konkani music” and released 49 devotional music albums.
Continuing his musical journey after the demise of Fr. Valerian, Fr. Clement has written lyrics and composed music for more than 500 songs, released across 51 albums.
His contribution to music extends beyond songwriting and composition. During his service in various parishes, he identified talented singers and provided them with opportunities to showcase their abilities. He has composed numerous hymns for church liturgies, as well as songs addressing social themes, some of which have been translated into Hindi.
His compositions are widely available on YouTube and other social media platforms. His devotional hymns and dance numbers are regularly featured at school functions and cultural programmes, reflecting the wide appeal of his musical work.
Konkani Play to Follow Award Ceremony
Following the award ceremony, the 299th programme in the monthly theatre series Mho’ynyalli Manchi will be held, featuring the premiere of a new Konkani play, Mel’lyanche Upadr. Written by Nellu Permannur, the play will be presented by Comedy Company.
The organisers have announced that entry to the event will be free for all.