![]() The majority of Naik's structurally melodramatic plays focus on problems in Goan society, especially of the lower classes. Among his dozen full-length works, the shortest one was Chhappan thigali Yashwantrao or 'Yashwantrao of the 56 Patches' in 1980. This one delineates the tragedy of a coolie at a bus stand. Suring or 'Explosion' in 1982 depicts the conditions of road-construction labourers. His most controversial socio-political satire was Shabai shabi Balmjan Samaj or 'The Masses' Society Cries' in 1986. Often, the titles of his plays express their themes. Some of the names can be mentioned as Raktakhev or 'Incest', Dayj or 'Dowry', Khan khan mati or 'Dig the Soil'. This one was on the harsh life of Goan miners. Naik has paved new paths in the nascent Konkani theatre. In recognition, the anthology Chaurang or 'Square Stool' in 1982 won him the Sahitya Akademi award. He has also written radio drama, for which he has won international prizes, and plays for children, among them Ransundari or 'Beauty on the Battlefield' and Alsyak vag khalo or 'The Tiger Ate the Lazy One'. |