M’lore: Melvyn Rodrigues Bags Central Sahitya Akademi Award

Daijiworld.Com

Mangalore, 21 December 2011: Eminent poet Melvyn Rodrigues has been chosen for the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in Konkani, to be conferred by Sahitya Akademi, India’s National Academy of Letters, during its ’Festival of Letters’ programme at New Delhi on February 14.

 

 

He has won the award for his work ’Prikriticho Paas’ (a collection of poems). Melvyn Rodrigues is also the director (operations) of Daijiworld.

 

Sahitya Akademi Award is one of highest honours in the field of literature, and is awarded annually to outstanding writers. The award consists of a cash prize of Rs 1 lac and a plaque.

 

Melvyn is only the second Mangalorean ever to bag this honour, the first being Cha Fra DeCosta in 1989.

 

Melvyn Rodrigues has made immense contribution to Konkani language and literature, not only as a poet and writer but also by promoting the cause of Konkani. He has penned several collections of poetry, translations, short stories, essays and Konkani lyrics. His collections include ’Bhesam Zallim Kalliz’ (novelite), ’Moga Pello’ (collection of love poems), ’Kanni Zali Choli’ (translation of Kannada short stories of Yashwanta Chittala, publisher: Central Sahitya Akademi), ’Fintam’ (collection of poetry), ’Shabdulim’ (collection of essays), ’Vaatt’ (collection of poems), Dini Dini (lyricist and producer of music audio album), and ’Prikriticho Paas’. Apart from these, he has also edited a number of works. 

 

Award-winning book ’Prikriticho Paas’

 

He is the founder of ’Zage Kavi’ and ’Kavita Trust’ and co-founder of Mandd Sobhann, besides being the founder member of Daiji Dubai. He is also the editor of www.konkanipoetry.com.

 

Punjabi translations of some of his Konkani poems are included in the anthology published by Sahitya Akademi recently.

 

Among his several awards, honours and recognitions are Dr T M A Pai Foundation ’Best Konkani Book Award - 2009’ for the book ’Prikriticho Paas’ (presented on March 26, 2011 at Valley View, Manipal), Karnataka Konkani Akademi Honourary Award for Literature - 2006, Konkani Kutam Bahrain Award (2006) and award for the book ’Mogapello’ by the Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Goa (1988). He was also the jury member to select Vimala V Pai Vishwa Konkani Sahithya Puraskar- 2010 for Vishwa Konkani Kendra.

 

 

H M Pernal, Konkani critic and poet, general secretary of Konkani Writers Forum and editor of Kittall.com said, "It is indeed a proud moment for all of us. Though Melvyn Rodrigues is a versatile writer he has reserved himself exclusively for Konkani poetry. Through Kavita Trust he has taken Konkani poetry of Karnataka to international level."

 

He added, "Though many say that there is a strong influence of the late Cha Fra DeCosta on his poetry, I strongly disagree. I have been following his growth as a poet from the poetry collection ’Fintam’ and I can say on record that from ’Vaatt’ he has carved his own path. With this award winning collection of poetry ’Prakriticho Paas’ he has taken Konkani poetry to new heights. Theme-wise he is perhaps the only Konkani poet from Karnataka to address the global social issues in a broader perspective in his poetry."