Mangalore: Thousands Bid Adieu to Konkani Litterateur Victor Rodrigues
Pics: Nellu Permannur
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RD/CN)
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Mangalore, Jul 7: Thousands of people attended the final journey of late Victor Rodrigues, renowned Konkani litterateur and novelist, at St Sebastian parish, Bendore, on the evening of Wednesday July 7.
The funeral Holy Mass was celebrated by Fr Peter Noronha, parish priest of Bendore, along with several diocesan priests.
Carmelite Fr Alwyn Sequiera in his homily said that Rodrigues was not only a Konkani litterateur but a crusader of justice.
“He penned his articles with the purpose of creating awareness about social justice. He helped the poor and needy in his own way. He also contributed to health awareness by publishing a simple book ‘Balaiki Daiz’, which is a useful book to keep in every Konkan household. He also inspired budding Konkani writers to explore their literary talent. The Konkani community has lost a legendary litterateur and novelist which will not be easily filled so soon”, said Fr Sequeira.
Earlier, Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza offered tributes to Rodrigues.
The well-wishers of the litterateur, especially editors and publishers of Konkani weeklies from Mumbai and Mysore, arrived from various places to participate in his final journey.
Dr Edward Nazareth offered memorable tributes to Rodrigues and consoled the bereaved family on the occasion.
A Tribute to Victor Rodrigues
By Dr Edward Nazareth
Sixty six year old Victor Rodrigues has gone to heavenly abode to get a suitable reward from the almighty and his life reminds me of a parable which Jesus had said to his disciples, wherein a servant who had just got 2 coins and succeeded in doubling it. However, Victor Rodrigues, just like the servant referred to here, multiplied the 5 coins he had to make it into 10 during his life time. It is our humble hope that the heavenly Father will be pleased with his life on earth as he led simple and honest life with unwavering faith in god.
In the Konkani book – Kanoon Daiz, authored by city lawyer Stanley R D’Costa Victor Rodrigues had written a foreword where he says ‘anyone who keeps his wealth of knowledge to himself is like a servant who had hidden a coin given by his master in the soil, which is of no use for anyone. There is genuine dearth of generous people who lack the thinking that the god-given free gift of knowledge should be shared freelyas it would bring about enlightenment of the people at large’. Victor Rodrigues made best of his talents for the welfare of the community by authoring several Konkani novels which have immortalized him in our midst. He is dead and gone but his literature will remain forever. His novel “Paap and Shirap” which is once again being published by “Kutam”, Konkani weekly published from Mumbai, in series form, stands testimony to his popularity as a novelist of repute.
Victor Rodrigues was born on February 8, 1944 in Guardian Angel parish, Angelore, Mangalore, as the eldest son of late Anthony John Rodrigues and Carmine Rodrigues. Due to the poor economic condition of the family he was not able to pursue further studies after completing his SSLC despite his earnest interest to do so. He was a voracious reader of Kannada detective stories which gave him an insight to write novels in Konkani and also fictional stories. Needless to say his unique style of narration in the novels inspired many budding writers to start writing novels and other literature.
It is not easy to sum up the literary achievements of Victor Rodrigues, a writer of repute in Konkani, in a few hours. He had authored 23 novels most of which were published by several Konkani periodicals for many years. He had also authored two biographies, 4 plays and thousands of articles on a variety of subjects. Veteran of Konkani litterateur the late Mic Max had lauded his literary expertise as he gave Konkani literature unparalleled masterpieces. Many Konkani readers offered to subscribe for Konkani periodicals only because they carried his suspense filled thrilling novels in the series form. It should be noted here that “Poinnari” weekly published from Mumbai created a record of sort by publishing only his novels in series for 31 long years. There are instances of his novels being published simultaneously by 5 Konkani periodicals while some of the periodicals published his novels in series 2 or 3 times. It cannot be denied that `Poinnari' weekly survived longer by publishing the series of his novels. However, it must be borne in mind here that Victor Rodrigues did not get much benefit, financial or otherwise from these publications. But that did not deter him from writing.
Committed Konkani readers gave him various titles, such as “King of Novels, “Samrat of Konkani literature”, “Konkani Hero” , “Vi Ro” and Century Writer etc. Despite of his popularity as a writer of great standing, he remained a humble and down to earth human being till he breathed his last. He treasured these titles as the greatest gifts he could get and never indulged in self glorification.
Highlighting this trait of Victor Rodrigues late Konkani legendary musician Wilfy Rebimbus in his foreword on the book authored by Victor Rodrigues “ Bangarachi Istri”, says: ‘Although Victor Rodrigues was an accomplished Konkani litterateur, he was humble, honest, soft-spoken and never craved for publicity. He penned his novels or stories only for his satisfaction and because of his ardent love for Konkani language, without expecting any monetary returns.’
Tributes have poured in to our daiji office in huge numbers from Konkani readers spread across the globe who have read Victor Rodrigues’ novels sometime in their lives. His series “Devacho Sevak” which was published by Sevak periodical was brought out in the book form last year. In the preface of the book Victor Rodrigues says: ‘If the publishers of Konkani weekly had shown the generosity of publishing the series of novels in book form, proof of my literary contributions would have remained even after my death. It’s unfortunate that these publications denied such an opportunity to me”.
He used to author his novels or stories with the sole intention of reaching out to his committed readers without expecting any monetary returns.
He was a humble, friendly and honest man. He would forthright in condemning any wrong-doings that came to his notice through his writings. He could not tolerate injustice from any one, not even from the religious groups or top officials of the community. He was not afraid of the consequences of his acts. He had the gift of writing and he made the optimum use of it till his death.
However, he was helpful to those who were good and sincere or those who deserved help. He helped a few publishers of Konkani periodicals and secured contributions for them. He was always there to render a helping hand to those who were in financial difficulties. A large number of people who benefitted from his largesse would vouch for the financial help they received from him. A poor catholic family in Karkal received his generous help for many years and he used to personally handover it to the family despite not keeping good health. He also used to visit and offer financial help to poor families admitted to hospitals. But he never craved for any publicity for the help he rendered and always preferred to keep a low profile.