Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy to confer awards on Konkani achievers

Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy to confer awards on Konkani achievers

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Mar 18: The Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy has announced the names of the winners of its Best Book Awards and Honorary Awards for 2009. The awards will be conferred on the winners at Geetanjali Mantap, MGM College, Udupi, on March 28, Sunday, at 5:30 p.m. by Home Minister Dr. V S Acharya. 

 

V V Shenoy, Vally Vagga, Richard Castelino, CGS Taccode, M P Rodrigues

V V Shenoy, Valerian D’Souza (Vally Vogga) and Richard Castelino will  receive Honorary Awards for organizing Konkani language, Konkani literature, and Konkani art (films), respectively. Cyril G Sequiera (C G S Taccode) and M P Rodrigues (Marian Paul Rodrigues) will receive the Best Book Awards for “Sulsule” and “Rumddi Phulaam,” respectively. Special awards will be conferred on Felix D’Souza, the short story writer, and Gopal Kharvi, the swimmer, for their achievements.

D V Sadanand Gowda, the MP of Udupi; MLA Raghupathi Bhat; Na D’Souza, the renowned Kannada writer; T Sathish U Pai, the editor of Udayavani; and Dinaker Shetty, the president of the Udupi town municipality will participate in the programme. Kundapur Narayana Kharvi, the president of the academy, will preside over the programme.  

The Honorary Awards comprise a cheque for Rs 10,000, a memento, and a citation each. The Best Book Awards comprise a cheque for Rs 5,000, a memento, and a citation. Jayashree Kamath, Kasturi Kamath, and Shashikala Pai will present a Konkani musical orchestra.  

V V Shenoy  

Born in 1940 at Karkala, V V Shenoy currently lives in Belgaum. He was a journalist for Udayavani, Vishala Karnataka, and Jwalamukhi. He is renowned as a great organizer. He has organized a number of Konkani programmes in a bid to foster Konkani language and culture.  

Richard Castelino  

Born in 1944 at Bantwal, Mr. Castelino founded the Kiran Drama Centre in 1975. He has participated in a number of Tulu, Konkani, and Kannada dramas as well as musical shows all over the world. Mr. Castelino has also directed a number of films.  

Valerian D’Souza

Born in 1947 at Bantwal, Valerian D’Souza now lives in Mysore. He writes in Konkani as well as Kannada. About 125 short stories authored by him have been published in Konkani magazines.  

Cyril Sequiera  

Mr. Sequiera is well-known for his humorous writings. He began writing at the age of 12 for the Konkani weekly “Vishal Konkan.” He was the sub-editor of “Raknno,” the Konkani newspaper, and the editor of “Umalo” and “Kannik.”  

M P Rodrigues  

M P Rodrigues began writing poems ever since a tender age. His articles, poems, and translated novels have been published in weekly newspapers. His book “Rumbddi Phulam” has been published by Kavita Trust.  

Gopal Kharvi

Gopal Kharvi, an ace swimmer, is from Kodi-Kanyana. He has created records by swimming for 6 hours in the Arabian Sea, covering a distance of 40kms, as well as by swimming for 10kms from St Mary’s Island to Malpe Beach with his hands and legs chained, a feat that took him 2 hours and 20 minutes back in 2006. Recently, he has created a record by swimming for 11 hours in Gangolli and Hangarakatte, covering a distance of 80kms. Kharvi won the district Rajyotsava Award in 2005 and the Asadharan Konkani Vyakthi Award conferred by Kalaangan.  

Felix D’Souza  

A resident of Mumbai, he is the associate editor of Poynnari weekly. His articles and short stories have been published in “Kutam” and other Konkani periodicals.