Media Release

Bengaluru, Nov 27: Mahabaleshwar Sail, a renowned writer of Konkani language, has been selected for the ‘Kuvempu National Award — 2025’.

A meeting of the Kuvempu National Award Selection Committee was held in Bengaluru under the chairmanship of Dr B L Shankar, president of the Kuvempu Prathishtharia on Thursday. The selection committee consisted of eminent Konkani writer and translator S M Krishnaraya, former secretary of the Sahitya Akademi Agrahara Krishnamurthy, and chairman of the Kannada Development Authority Dr Purushottam Bilimale. Kadidal Prakash, secretary of the Prathishthana, served as the convenor of the committee.

Mahabaleshwar Sail, a resident of Goa and one of the most distinguished contemporary writers, has enriched Konkani literature through his significant works and, in doing so, has contributed immensely to Indian literature. He was unanimously selected for the ‘Kuvempu National Award — 2025’.

Sail served in the Indian Army and participated in the Indo-Pak War of 1965. He also served in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force on the Israel— Egypt border during 1964—1965. After his military service, he worked in the postal department until retirement. He is a noted Konkani writer and translator. He has been honoured by the Central Sahitya Akademi and received the prestigious Saraswati Samman (2016) for his novel Hawthan.

The ‘Kuvempu National Award’ carries a cash prize of 15,00,000 and a silver medal. The award presentation ceremony will be held at Kuppali on Kuvempu's birth anniversary (December 29), observed as Vishwamanava Day.

About Mahabaleshwar Sail

Mahabaleshwar Sail (born 1943) is an eminent Indian author who writes primarily in the Konkani language and Marathi. Here is a biographical summary of his life and achievements.

Life and background

• Birth: Mahabaleshwar Sail was born on August 4, 1943, in Shejebag, a village in the Majali region of the Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka.
• Early life: Born into a family of agriculturalists, he left his schooling in the eighth standard to help his family after his father's death.
• Indian Army: Sail enrolled in the Indian Army, where he served until 1966. He participated in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.
• UN Peacekeeper: He also served as a United Nations peacekeeper on the border between Israel and Egypt during 1964—1965.
• Career: He worked as a supervisor for the forest department and served in the Goa police before working with India Post until his retirement in 2003.

Literary career

• Bilingual author: Sail is a renowned bilingual author, having written works in both Konkani and Marathi.
• First works: He wrote his first story during a ceasefire after the Tashkent Declaration. His first Konkani novel, Kaali Ganga, was published in 1996 and focused on the lives of farming communities along the Kali River in Karwar.
• Literary themes: His writing is noted for its deep research and portrayal of Konkani words from the Karwar region. His novels often feature strong female characters and depict themes related to nature and social issues.
• Notable works and translations: Many of his short stories and novels have been translated into English and Hindi. The novel Adrusht was adapted into the critically acclaimed film Paltadcho Munis (The Man Beyond the Bridge).
• Konkani to Kannada: He translates many books from Konkani to Kannada.

Famous works

• Hawthan: This 2009 novel won the Saraswati Samman and depicts the challenges faced by the traditional pottery community in Goa.
• Paltadcho Munis (The Man Beyond the Bridge): A novel later adapted into a film.
• Tarangam: A collection of short stories that earned him the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1993.
• Yug Sanvar: A novel exploring the forceful religious conversions during the Goa Inquisition.
• Age of Frenzy: The English translation of his novels Yug Sanvar and Taandav.
• Vikhar Vilkho: A novel that addresses the issue of narcotics.

Awards and honours

• The Saraswati Samman in 2016 for his novel Hawthan
• The Sahitya Akademi Award in 1993 for his short story collection Taranga
• Dr T M A Pai Award (1997)
• Goa Kala Academy Award (1989 and 1996)
• Cultural Award by the Government of Goa (2006)
• Katha Award (2007)
• Literary Award by the Government of Goa (2007)
• Vimla V Pai Vishwa Konkani Sahitya Puraskar (2010)