Mangalore, 25 July 2012: Well-known Konkani writer, poet and entrepreneur, Valerian D’Souza, popularly known as Vally Vagga will be conferred with the coveted Konkani Kutam Bahrain Award, 2012. The award will be conferred on him on Saturday, July 28, 2012 at 6.30 pm at St. Sebastian Platinum Jubilee Hall, Bendore, Mangalore. The award consists of a citation, a memento and a cash prize of Rs. 50,000/- This announcement was made by Richard Moras, convener; Konkani Kutam, Bahrain,Titus Noronha, co-coordinator, Melvyn Rodrigues and William Pias during the Press Conference held on Wednesday, July 25, 2012. Award presentation committee members were also present during the occasion.
Vally Vagga had an interest in Konkani literature right from his young age. He began writing in Konkani in from 1964. For the past 48 years, he has published over 125 short stories, 120 poems and more than 50 articles on various subjects. His important literary work include ‘Jinni Konnachem?’ (1966), `Sot ani Jivit’ (1967), `Dhull’ (1990), `Jivitachim Mettam’ (2003) and `Dongra Voili Vaatt’ (2007). His stories have been translated to Hindi and Telugu languages. He writes in Kannada as well and has translated many of his original Konkani stories into Kannada. Vally Vagga also started Lourdes Prakshan, which has published many Konkani books.
Being well-versed in poetry, Vally Vagga has participated in various poetry sessions during Mysore Dassara Festival and organised by Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi, Kannada Samskriti Ilakhe, All India Konkani Sahitya Parishad, Kavita Trust and Doordarshan. He has presented papers during various literary events and seminars. Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy has bestowed on him its Honorary Award in the year 2009. As an entrepreneur, Vally Vagga is the proprietor of Lourdes Engineering in Mysore.For more details on his life and works visit www.kittall.com .
Konkani Kutam, Bahrain is a voluntary forum exclusively formed for promoting Konkani language, literature and culture. In its endeavor to support Konkani Writers and Artistes, Konkani Kutam had introduced ’Konkani Kutam Award’ in 2002. The award consists of a citation, a memento and a cash prize of Rs. 50,000/-.