Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Media Release
Mangaluru, Nov 7: “I find metamorphosis shades in Roshu Bajpe’s short stories. The central male character’s pain in the story Khilo (Nail) reminded me of Kafka's style of narrative,” said Prof Dr Zita Lobo.
Prof Dr Lobo was speaking after launching a collection of Konkani short stories written by youth writer Roshu Bajpe and published by Kittall Publications, at PFX Saldanha Auditorium, MCC Bank building here.
Prof Dr Lobo further said, “Different writers use different styles and Roshu Bajpe’s style of writing is unique. He presents the situation through characters and leads the reader into discourse. Like in one of his stories, a boy driver by profession marries a girl, lying that he is an engineer by profession and when the girl realizes the fact after marriage, she ends up in a dilemma. The title story Paying Guest is yet another story that pushes the reader to the discourse of morality. The stories like Karyakarth and Typhoid Taap – remind the recent unpleasant socio-political developments in the coastal area.”
Citing the dearth of women writers in Konkani, Prof Dr Lobo said, “Women have more stories to tell. Women writers can present their issues more effectively in their writings. But unfortunately, there are very few women writers in Konkani. If women find it difficult to write, they can use modern technology available at their fingertips to record and start storytelling.”
Anil Lobo, chairman of MCC Bank Ltd, said, “Writers are like torch bearers of society and they should keep inspiring the society at the right time. I have known Roshu for the past several years and we were fellow members of the Catholic Sabha and its mouthpiece Amcho Sandesh executive committees. Though the themes of Roshu’s writings are complex, his language is simple and easy to understand. I wish him a bright future in Konkani literature.”
Roshu Bajpe presented complimentary copies of the book to his mother Mary Sequeira, wife Cynthia Lobo, Edddie Sequeira, layout artist, who designed the book, senior writer Patric Moras (M Patrick), Gaurish Vernekar, general secretary of All India Konkani Parishad, Richard Moras, convenor, Konkani Lekahak Sanghatan, Sunil Menezes, general manager of MCC Bank Ltd, Eugine D'Souza, editor of Bajpe parish bulletin ‘Amchem Shet’ and editors of Konkani magazines, Fr Jocy Siddakatte of Naman Balok Jesu, Naveen Kulshekar of Divo, Wilfred Lobo, Padil of Amcho Sandesh and Wilson Kateel of Arso.
Roshu Bajpe welcomed the gathering and H M Pernal, publisher of the book compered the programme and proposed the vote of thanks.
Paying Guest, a collection of 14 Konkani short stories, is Roshu's 6th book. He has published three books of satire articles, Haasy Attack (2015) Open Haasy Surgery (2017), and Feliz Navidad (2020), and two books of poetry Theenth Zalem Roghat (2018) and Girbuji (2021). His book Theenth Zalem Roghat won the best book award from Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy and Dr TMA Pai Foundation Award. Bajpe has translated three dramas into Konkani – Home Sweet Home (2017), Adaanv Even Ugadle Dole, Rachnaara Atam Tucnch Pole (2020), and Vishev Apartments (2022). He has written and published the Novel ‘Sandun Galli Shelli’ in Sevok Konkani monthly. He has been writing columns in Naman Balok Jesu and Arso continuously. He has been awarded the Samanvaya Yuva Kiran Award in the year 2013 and Leo Rodrigues Family Kittall Youth Award in the year 2017 for his writings.
Eminent writer Kishoo Barkur has written a detailed foreword to the book – Paying Guest. The book has been published by Kittall Publications and priced at Rs 150 per copy. Those who wish to order the book by post can contact Roshu Bajpe at 9880119515 or email roshums@rediffmail.com.