Pradeep A Naik, a Multifaceted Personality

by J P PEREIRA
Posted on 2008-12-02
A dramatist, writer, film actor and radio artiste, he has worked as a press reporter, judged various competitions of plays, dance and elocution, handled photography and interviewed renowned artistes from drama and films, for the local press, that is Pradeep A Naik, one of Goa’s best performing artiste. Born in Morjim, where he completed his education, he is the son of the late Anand and Sunanda Naik and grandson of well known Marathi stage artiste, the late Pandurang Kunbi. With the immense encouragement he received from the grandfather, Pradeep took up entertainment for a profession like a duck takes to water.
Beginning on the Marathi stage under various reputed directors like Devidas Amonkar, Dnyanesh Moghe, Dr Vijay Thali, Vishnu Naik and many others, he made a foray into Konkani ‘tiatr’ in the last few years His debut in Comedian Dominic’s ‘Sukha Fulam Koxttam Kantte’ was so impressive, the director continued casting him in ‘Sounsar Sompo Porian’ and the lastest ‘Soglim Sopnam Gupit Chintnam’. Besides these, there have been major roles in Mariano Fernandes’ dramas’Amkam Xanti Di’ and ‘Sounsar, Sorg vo infern’ as well as Konkani plays like ‘Tughlak’, ‘Dishtant’ and ‘Xenoy Goembab’.
Pradeep has acted in the English feature film ‘Tripping on a Bicycle’, Konkani films, ‘Daulat’, ‘Ek Jivo Bhorvanso’, ‘Just A Minute’, Marathi films ‘Uiadhal’, ‘Marmabandh’ and has featured in Hindi films, ‘My Brother Nikhil’ and ‘Chota Sipahi’. Besides these there have been acts in serials like ‘Pravah, ‘Komi Konnancho’, ‘Ek Aprakat Itihas’, ‘Astitva’ and so many others. He has done street plays for public awareness, has been with Kala Academy’s ‘Rang Mell’ and is a certified B grade artiste of All India radio.
A career like this will not go unrecognised. The actor has bagged awards; medals and certificates at various Konkani and Marathi one act play competitions in Goa and Maharashtra. He was adjudged best actor in Marathi plays, ‘Chetuk’ and ‘Don’t Worry Be Happy’ and in Konkani ‘tiatr’ ‘Surya Kedna Udetolo’, ‘Jivitachi Ek Bhuk’ and ‘Doileam Aad’, at the Kala Academy competitions.
Besides these, he was awarded silver medals by the Government of Maharashtra for acting and the prestigious ‘Shankar Ghanekar’ award for acting by the ‘Akhil Bhartia Marathi Natya Parishad’, Mumbai.
Pradeep is happy about his entry on the Konkani stage. He has a word of praise for the Konkani audience, who encourage their artistes. Today, the Konkani stage has become popular because the audience, besides the three necessities, food, clothing and shelter, also have a fourth.. ‘tiatr’. He has been accepted well by the audience and after joining the Konkani stage was able to perform in foreign countries. The actor suggests that more attention should be paid for the setting, lighting and background music, to raise the standard of this stage even higher.
Pradeep works for the department of Art and Culture of the Government of Goa, is married to Purva and has a young daughter, Pranali. We wish you all the best Pradeep and many more years on the Konkani stage. Keep on acting!!!