Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Oct 3: In a celebration honouring emerging voices in regional literature, young Konkani writer and researcher Glanish Jude Martis was conferred the prestigious Leo Rodrigues and Family–Kittall Youth Award during a formal ceremony held at the MCC Bank auditorium on Saturday, October 3.
Instituted in 2012 by Abu Dhabi-based NRI entrepreneur and philanthropist Leo Rodrigues in collaboration with Kittall.com, the annual honour carries a cash prize of Rs 25,000 and a citation. Addressing the gathering, Rodrigues reflected on the award’s decade-long legacy, expressing pride in seeing past laureates rise to become leading figures in the Konkani literary sphere. Emphasising the need to nurture aspiring writers, he dispelled notions that youth are losing interest in creative pursuits, attributing their hesitation instead to initial hurdles. He urged the organisers to set up a dedicated training platform for emerging authors, pledging his full financial and logistical backing.
Presiding over the function, Derebail church parish priest Fr Joseph Martis invoked Aristotle to illustrate that creativity stems from an innate sense of wonder toward everyday life. Congratulating the awardee, he reminded the gathering of the shared responsibility to keep literary traditions alive, urging the broader community to actively cultivate readership so that literature retains its core purpose.
Accepting the accolade, Glanish expressed deep gratitude to the organisers and his mentors, noting that while his creative writing began in English, guidance from senior writers Melwyn Rodrigues and H M Pernal helped him transition into Konkani. He stated that the recognition comes with added responsibility, inspiring him to continue his literary path with greater vigour. An alumnus of Alva’s College and a native of Alangar, Moodbidri, Glanish has contributed over 25 short stories, 60 poems, and 20 articles across multiple languages, alongside releasing his debut short-story collection 'Heredity' in 2024 and receiving the ECW Best Multilingual Lyricist Award in 2025.
The event, hosted by Kittall.com editor and Sahitya Akademi laureate H M Pernal, also honoured senior contributors Dr Eugene D'Souza Boliye and Eddie Sequeira for their enduring service to Konkani literature. Wilson Kateel presented the formal citation, with the ceremony drawing notable dignitaries including MLC Ivan D'Souza, MCC Bank chairman Anil Lobo, and prominent cultural representatives from across the region.