Bantwal, 02 Jan 2021: The eighty-eight-year-old Basti Vaman Shenoy, founder of Vishwa Konkani Kendra at Shaktinagar, Mangaluru and former president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy passed away due to age related complications at his home at Thumbay, near here on Sunday, January 2 at 12.15pm. He is survived by 2 sons and one daughter.
The mortal remains of Vaman Shenoy were placed at Vishwa Konkani Kendra, Shaktinagar to pay tributes on Monday, January 3 from 9.00am to 10.00am. Later, the cremation was held at Bantwal.
Vaman spearheaded a worldwide movement among Konkani speaking people to conserve mother tongue Konkani, its distinct literature, art and culture. He has been the recipient of several awards for his noble deeds.
He took earnest interest in fostering Konkani and its distinct culture, soon after he retired from service with Syndicate Bank. He was a youth leader in Congress and INTUC during his college days. He was the correspondent of 2 SVS Education Institutions in Bantwal, president of Yashwant Gym, here and served the society being a member of Rotary Club.
He was born to the Madhav and Gowri Shenoy couple in 1934. He joined his father in managing family business after passing Class X. He was active in trade unions and politics. He was instrumental in establishing Saraswati Kala Prasaraka Sangh and Saraswati Music School.
He served as a president of Karnataka Konkani Basha Mandal and president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy for 2 terms. He also served as president of All India Konkani Council in 2004.