Mangalore: Jo Cy Siddakatte Bags Kittall's 'Yuva Puroskaar'

Media Release

Mangalore, Feb 3: Carmelite Brother Joseph Cyril D'Souza popularly known as Jo Cy Siddakatte has been chosen for Kittall Yuva Puroskaar 2012. This Puroskar is awarded to young, promising Konkani writers by Mangalore-based Kittall Konkani Website, edited and published by H M Pernal.

Says H M, "This is a not just another award. It is a recognition and token of appreciation of the winner's contribution to Konkani. Almost all say in their speeches that youngsters should be encouraged. But seldom we recognize and focus on them."

He further adds, "We have some set guidelines for this Yuva Puroskaar. The writer should be below the age of 30 and should have published at least one book in his career. We have set this rule because, writing should not be confined to contributing to magazines and papers. A writer should always record his literary presence in the form of a book."

Jo Cy Siddakatte, born to the late Michael D'Souza and Louiza D'Souza on May 1, 1986, is an arts graduate and studies theology in St Joseph's Seminary Jeppu . Multi-talented Jo Cy is a poet, playwright, translator, columnist, artist, cartoonist, singer and an actor too. Presently, he is the sub-editor of 'Naman Balok Jesu' Konkani monthly. "Nowadays it is very difficult to find this kind of versatile talent among the young Konkani generation," says H M.

So far Jo Cy has written and staged three Konkani plays. They are - 'Pittasi Sonsaar', 'Bhavadthachem Zuj', and 'Koim Tuji Savari'.

He has published two collections of poetry - 'Pavsa Dhonu' (2008) and 'Moran Sandulli Pakam' ( 2011).

He has written more than 40 essays and his column 'U Turn' on Naman Balok Jesu is very popular among readers.

Kittall Yuva Puroskaar carries a cash prize of Rs 10,000 and a citation. The award will be presented to Jo Cy during a simple get-together, which will be organized on the occasion of Kittall Anniversary at Pilikula Nisarga Dhama on Sunday February 5. Senior Konkani writer, journalist and playwright Dolphy Cascia will present the award to Jo Cy Siddakatte.

The jury comprised prominent poet and Kavita Trust chairman Melvyn Rodrigues, Rahul Group MD Titus Noronha and Konkani activist and Konkani Prachar Sanchalan executive secretary, Vitori Karkal.

Roy Castelino, president, Konkani Prachar Sanchalan will inaugurate Konkani Writers Online Database on this occasion. This is the first of its kind of online database in Konkani where literary profile and all other details of Konkani writers along with their photographs can be viewed online by anyone on Kittall website. Konkani writers spread across the globe can easily submit their details here and they will be posted online by Kittall editorial team. This database is very helpful to those who are looking for literary profile and other details of Konkani writers online.

J R Lobo, KAS, executive director of Pilikula Nisargadhama will inaugurate Kittall Class, a monthly series of talks and deliver first talk on media activism. He will focus his talk on role of media during freedom struggle of India, evolution and revolution in Indian media and today’s media and media trials.

Entry to this get-together is only on invitation basis. For invitations contact editor@kittall.com.