Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy announces 2025 Award winners

Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy announces 2025 Award winners

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, March 30, 2026: The Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy has announced the recipients of the 2025 Honorary Awards and Book Awards, recognising distinguished contributions in the fields of Konkani literature, art, and folklore.

Every year, the Academy honours eminent personalities for their achievements in these three domains. For the year 2025, the following awardees have been selected:

Honorary Awards 2025
Konkani Literature: Ron Roch Cassia
Konkani Art: Ramdas Dattatreya Gulvadi
Konkani Folklore: Sairu (Muralidhar) Puttu Naik

Book Awards 2025

Poetry: Ujwadache Vengent by Andrew L. Dikunha
Essay: Konkni Circus by Roshan Melki Sequeira
Short Stories: Fithuri by Richard Alvares

Award Ceremony

The award presentation ceremony will be held on April 26, 2026 (Sunday) at 5:00 pm at Udyavara Church premises in Udupi district. Karnataka Minister for Backward Classes Welfare and Kannada & Culture, Shivraj S. Tangadagi, will inaugurate the event.

The programme will be presided over by Academy President Joachim Stany Alvares. MLA Suresh Shetty Gurme and Bishop of Udupi Diocese, Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, will attend as chief guests.

The event will also feature cultural performances, including traditional dances of the Kharvi, Siddhi, and Kudubi communities, a brass band, and a Konkani musical programme.

About the Awardees

Ron Roch Cassia (Literature):
A 79-year-old noted Konkani writer, Cassia has authored 12 detective novels, over 150 short stories, and more than 200 articles. His works have appeared widely in Konkani publications. He is also a lyricist and singer and has previously received the Victor Rodrigues Memorial Literary Award (2017) and Daiji Dubai Literary Award (2018).

Ramdas Dattatreya Gulvadi (Art):
An 89-year-old veteran artist, Gulvadi has over 80 years of experience in theatre. A multifaceted personality, he has contributed as an actor, director, writer, and musician. He has been associated with theatre groups in Mumbai and Mangaluru and has received several honours, including the title of “Cultural Ambassador” from Konkani cultural organisations.

Sairu (Muralidhar) Puttu Naik (Folklore):
A prominent Konkani folk artist, Naik has been active in ‘Khel’ theatre since 1974 and has participated in over 400 cultural programmes. He has also served as a director, playwright, and percussionist, contributing significantly to the preservation of Konkani folk traditions.

Andrew L. Dikunha (Poetry):
A prolific poet with over four decades of literary contribution, Dikunha has written more than 800 poems and 100 articles. His award-winning book Ujwadache Vengent has earned him multiple recognitions, including state and national-level awards.

Roshan Melki Sequeira (Essay):
Popularly known as “Roshu Bajpe,” Sequeira is known for his contributions across genres, including poetry, satire, and essays. His book Konkni Circus has been recognised for its literary merit.

Richard Alvares (Short Stories):
A veteran writer from Mangaluru, Alvares has been contributing to Konkani literature for nearly five decades. His short story collection Fithuri has been selected for this year’s award. He is also a retired teacher and a recipient of several honours, including a National Silver Medal for census work.

Academy President Stany Alvares, members Naveen Lobo and Ronald Crasta, and media advisor Elias Fernandes were present at the press conference announcing the awards.