Mangalore : Vally Vagga to be Honoured with Konkani Kutam Bahrain Award

Pics by Dayananda Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Jul 25: Konkani Kutam, Bahrain is a voluntary forum exclusively formed for promoting Konkani language, literature and culture. In its endeavor to support Konkani Writers and Artistes, Konkani Kutam had introduced 'Konkani Kutam Award' in 2002. The award consists of a citation, a memento and a cash prize of Rs. 50,000/-.

The award is conferred by analyzing and evaluating the significant contribution to the Konkani cause. The executive committee has selected Vally Vagga, a renowned  Konkani writer for his immense contribution for the cause of Konkani language and literature, for the year 2012.

Valerian D'Souza, popularly known as Vally Vagga, started writing in Konkani in the year 1964. For the past 48 years, he has published 125 short stories, 120 poems and more than 50 articles on various subjects.`Jinni Konnachem?' (1966), `Sot ani Jivit' (1967), `Dhull' (1990), `Jivitachim Mettam' (2003) and `Dongra Voili Vaatt' (2007) are his published books. His stories have been translated to Hindi and Telugu languages. He writes in Kannada as well and has translated many of his original Konkani stories into Kannada. He runs Lourdes Prakshan, which has published many Konkani books.

He has participated in various poetry sessions during Mysore Dassara Festival and organised by Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi, Kannada Samskriti Ilakhe, All India Konkani Sahitya Parishad, Kavita Trust and Doordarshan.  He has presented papers during various literary events and seminars. He runs his own industry, Lourdes Engineering in Mysore.

Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy has bestowed on him its Honorary Award in the year 2009.

The Konkani Kutam award will be presented at a function which will be held on Saturday, July 28 at 6.30p.m., at St Sebastian Platinum Jubilee Hall, Bendore, Mangalore.

Kasargod Chinna, president, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy will preside over the function and Fr Francis Rodrigues, editor, Raknno Konkani weekly will be the chief guest. Vitori Karkal, executive secretary, Konkani Prachar Sanchalan will speak on Vally Vagga's literary work.  `Nidon Paddallo Ganv', a collection of poems by Walter Dantis, published by Kavita Trust will be released during the occasion.

Richard Moras, convener; Konkani Kutam, Bahrain,Titus Noronha, co-ordinator, Melvyn Rodrigues and William Pias, award presentation committee members were present during the press conference held on Wednesday, July 25.