Media Release

Mangaluru, Jan 20: Konkani Lekhak Sangh Karnataka, a voluntary association exclusively formed with the sole intention of promoting Konkani language and literature in the year 2018. From the year 2022, Konkani Lekhak Sangh decided to select and honour a Konkani writer who has immensely contributed to Konkani literature.

For the year 2026, Konkani Lekhak Sangh award committee has selected a well known Konkani writer Patrick Camille Moras (M Patrik).

The award consists of a cash prize of Rs 25,000, a citation and a memento.

Born on November 17, 1945, Patrick Camille Moras, known as M Patrik, rose from a childhood of hardship to become a pillar of Konkani literature. After discontinuing school in fifth grade to support his family, he found a mentor in JB Rasquinha, who provided him with books and encouraged him to sell literature books door-to-door.

Starting as a book seller and Associate Editor of Kannik Konkani Magazine at eighteen, he became a prolific author of over 800 short stories, 400 articles, and ten novels. Through his Nityadar Prakashan, he published numerous works, including plays and detective dramas, cementing his legacy as a dedicated servant of the Konkani language. In recognition of his immense contribution to literature, he has been honored with the Honorary Award from the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy and the 'Sandesha Konkani Literature Award – 2026' conferred upon M Patrick.

The award will be conferred at a function on February 07, at 6.30 pm, at Sandesha Premises, Sandesha Foundation, Bajjodi, Mangaluru.

Richard Moras - convener, Dolphy F Lobo - committee member, Dr Jerry Niddodi - advisory committee member, and J F D'Souza - advisory committee member, were present at the press meet.