One Friday evening in March 1943. On the slopes of a hillock on which stands the Fatima Retreat House today, a friendly conversation between Rev. Fr. George Albuquerque Pai SJ and the youngsters of Catholic Action League of Jeppu Unit led to the idea of the formation of the Konkani Natak Sabha (KNS).  This association would work towards the upliftment of the mother tongue, Konkani and foster cultural, social and moral accomplishments of the society.

Konkani Natak Sabha was officially inaugurated when its first drama ‘Triumph in Trial’ written by the famous writer Sri M.P. D’Sa was staged at the Academy Hall of St Aloysius College on September 19, 1943. The tickets were sold out and the hall was packed to capacity every time the drama was re-enacted. A number of volunteers, parish units and well-wishers supported the cause of the Konkani Natak Sabha and donations began to grow over a period of time.

The site for Don Bosco Hall was purchased for Rs 30,000/- and the foundation stone was blessed and was laid on the Sabha’s fifth anniversary (Sept 19, 1948). The Don Bosco Hall and Assisi Commercial Complex, Mangaluru was inaugurated on August 19, 1951. The hall was then the most modern and largest in Mangalore. Since then, Konkani Natak Sabha has supported several youngsters, dramatists, composers and entertained several others. Konkani Natak Sabha has organized several social plays, historical plays, comedies, tragedies and religious plays.  All local communities were allowed to use the hall for marriages and functions for a reasonable fee. From 1964, Konkani Natak Sabha has been organizing competitions such as singing, dance, poetry writing, elocution etc. for the people of Mangaluru region to promote Konkani culture and language.

Konkani Natak Sabha has worked for the recognition of Konkani language in the eighth schedule and helped in obtaining a place for it in the curriculum of schools and colleges around Mangalore. Today Konkani Natak Sabha is a society of 268 active members with 12 local units.