Media Release
Mangaluru, May 12: Renowned Mangaluru-based Konkani author H M Pernal (Henry Mendonca) has been honoured with the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award 2025 for Konkani. The award recognizes his acclaimed work of literary criticism, Konkani Kavyem: Rupam Ani Rupakam, published in 2021.
To celebrate this historic achievement, a felicitation ceremony for H M Pernal will be held on Friday, May 15 at 5:45 PM. The grand event will take place at the Town Hall in Mangaluru. Michael D'Souza, a prominent NRI Entrepreneur and Philanthropist, will preside over the function. The occasion will be graced by Jayant Kaikini, the renowned Kannada poet and writer, as the chief guest. The event is meticulously organized by the felicitation committee, with Melvyn Rodrigues serving as its convener.
Melvyn Rodrigues, Eddie Sequeira and Titus Noroha made the announcement at a press meet held on May 12.
The evening's programme is scheduled to begin at 5:30 pm with a delightful high tea celebration in honour of H M Pernal. This will be followed at 5:45 pm by the opening notes of the celebration featuring a captivating 'Sitar Fusion' performance by Ustad Rafique Khan on the sitar, accompanied by Rajesh Bhagwat on the tabla and Vaman Karkala on rhythm. At 6:30 pm, attendees will enjoy a Celebration of Poetry, featuring a recital of H M Pernal's poems beautifully delivered by Eddie Sequeira and Mahammad Muaad G M. The programme will then transition into a Celebration of Life and Literature at 7 pm, highlighting an engaging interaction with H M Pernal hosted by Shakuntala R Kini and Wilson Kateel. At 7:30 pm, the formal segment titled 'Celebrating the Pen' will commence with introductory remarks by Titus Noronha. This will lead into the official felicitation of H M Pernal by the MDVK committee and various Konkani organisations. The felicitation segment will feature a speech by the awardee HM Pernal, an address by chief guest Jayant Kaikini, and a presidential address by Michael D'Souza. The grand event will draw to a close with a celebration finale at 8:30 pm.
Pernal's book marks a historic milestone as the first Konkani work in the genre of literary criticism to receive the award. It previously earned the Best Book Award from the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy in 2021 and from the Goa Konkani Akademi in 2023. The volume features an elaborate foreword by Jnanpith Awardee Damodar Mauzo and was published by Kavita Publications, the publishing arm of Kavita Trust®, dedicated to promoting Konkani poetry since 2001.
Originally from Pernal in Udupi district, Henry Mendonca began his literary journey in Kannada as a young writer, with poems featured in journals such as Sankramana, Shoodra, and Tainudi. In the early 1980s, he transitioned to Konkani, starting as a cartoonist for Yuvak monthly before establishing himself as a short story writer, poet, and critic.
To date, Pernal has authored four poetry collections—Chalyank Chotrai (1999), Khaidyachyo Kavita (2004), Bamunnachem Cheddum (2006), and Zanel (2025)—two short story collections—Devaak Sodullo Paddo (2002) and Beg ani Bigaath (2016)—and one book of literary criticism, the award-winning Konkani Kavyem: Rupam Ani Rupakam (2021).
His contributions have been widely recognized with numerous accolades, including: Vimala V Pai Vishwa Konkani Literary Award for Beeg ani Bigaath (2017), Kavita Trust - Mathias Family Poetry Award (2018), Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Book Award for Konkani Kavyem: Rupam Ani Rupakam (2021), Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Honorary Award for Literature (2022), Dakshina Kannada District Rajyotsava Award for Konkani Literature and Journalism (2023) and Goa Konkani Akademi Best Book Award for Konkani Kavyem: Rupam Ani Rupakam (2023).
With over 850 poems, 100 short stories, and 2,000 articles to his credit, Pernal continues to nurture Konkani literature through innovative platforms. In 2011, he launched the Konkani literary portal kittall.com, which has run uninterrupted, digitally empowering veteran and young writers. In 2013, he founded the monthly ARSO, now in its 12th year. Through Kittall Publications, he has released more than 15 titles and currently heads the Michael D'Souza Vision Konkani Publication Grant, providing up to Rs 40,000 per title to emerging authors. The Rs 40 lac initiative is fully sponsored by NRI philanthropist Michael D'Souza.
Pernal also champions young talent annually via the Kittall Youth Award, sponsored by NRI entrepreneur and philanthropist Leo Rodrigues, which includes a Rs 25,000 cash prize.
A dedicated leader in the Konkani literary community, Pernal served as working president of the All India Konkani Sahitya Sammelan in 2023 and currently holds the position of treasurer at the All India Konkani Parishad. He has also served as president of the Konkani Writers Forum and is a member of the Konkani Language Advisory Board at Sahitya Akademi.
Konkani, a scheduled language since 1992, was recognized as a literary language by the National Academy of Letters (Sahitya Akademi) in 1975. Since 1977, the Akademi has annually awarded excellence in Konkani literature. Spoken across five Indian states—Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Gujarat—this is the fourth Sahitya Akademi Award for a Mangaluru-based Konkani writer. Previous recipients include C F D’Costa (1992, poetry), Melvyn Rodrigues (2011, poetry), and Edwin J F D’Souza (2016, novel).