Media Release

Dubai, Dec 4: Well-known Konkani writer and popular columnist Fr Prashant Madtha has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Daiji Dubai Literary Award. The decision was made during the recent general body meeting of Daiji Dubai held in the city.

Born on September 6, 1947, in Sullia, Fr Prashant Madtha is a prolific writer with a literary career spanning over 40 years. He is the 11th of 13 children of Alexander and Magdalene Madtha. His body of work includes six books in Konkani, eight in Kannada, and two in English. His articles have been featured in prominent periodicals such as Raknno, Uzwad, Udayavani, Deccan Herald, and many other journals.

Fr Madtha gained immense popularity for his satirical and humorous columns such as Chakita Chitta, Kitalam, and Vally Padraib. In 2004, he published a dictionary containing 10,000 Konkani idioms through the Institute of Konkani.

Over the years, he has been honored with several prestigious awards, including the Kannada Rajyotsava Award, Sandesha Award, Bahrain Konkani Kutaam Award, and the Indian Catholic Press Association Award, among others. In 2008, India Today recognized him as one of the "50 Pioneers of Change in India."

Fr Prashant Madtha's contributions to Konkani literature extend beyond creative writing. He has significantly contributed to the growth of Konkani culture and literature through roles as a publisher, editor, and researcher and his involvement in dictionary projects.

The highly esteemed Daiji Dubai Literary Puraskar will be presented to him on Saturday, February 8, 2025, during Daiji Dubai’s 25th-anniversary celebration in Mangaluru. The award includes Rs 75,000, a citation, and a certificate of honor.

Daiji Dubai is a prominent forum of Konkani writers based in Dubai, dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the Konkani language and literature over several years.