Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru (RJP)
Mangaluru, Oct 11: Eminent Konkani author Edwin J F D’Souza, best known for his classic novels , was conferred this year's 'Konkani Kutam Bahrain Award', instituted by Konkani Kutam Bahrain, in a ceremony held at St Sebastian Hall, Bendore here on Saturday, October 10.
The award was presented to Edwin D’Souza by Roy Castelino, the president of Konkani Sahitya Academy. Fr Chetan Lobo the editor of ‘Uzvaad’ fortnightly who was the chief guest of the function, Richard Moras the local convenor of Konkani Kutam Bahrain were present during the honour on the dais.
Konkani Kutam Bahrain is a voluntary forum formed in the year 2000 for promoting Konkani language, literature and culture. The Konkani Kutam Bahrain Award was constituted in the year 2002 and is given to eminent writers of Konkani who have rendered remarkable contribution to Konkani literature. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 50,000, a citation and a memento.
Richard Moras welcomed the gathering and briefed about the activities of Konkani Kutam Bahrain for the past 15 years since inception. He invited all Konkani speaking people to abandon apathy and come together for the sake of Konkani. “No matter what you learn in life, how many places you visit and how many languages you learn, your mother tongue remains the same. Recognise it and respect it.” Richard added.
Edwin J F D’Souza, after receiving the award, thanked each and everyone who travelled with him in his literary journey. He said “ I have received so many awards in my life. The most important of them is the one which I receive in the form of appreciation from my readers. When ‘Hanv Jiyetham’ novel was published, I received a postcard which I can never forget. That was the post card written by a reader of mine named Philip Mudartha. He explained to me in his own words how much that novel touched him. (Philip Mudartha who was present in the function stood up when Edwin requested). A priest had told me that a writer should always retain originality in his writing. Do not compare writers with one another , do not even use unnecessary flattering words about them. Do not compare their works to epics. Just read them. Let good literature come.”
Fr Chetan Lobo presented an analysis on the writing of Edwin J F D’Souza. “Edwin started writing in 1964 when I was not even born. But it is my privilege to talk about the literature of Edwin though I am not fully qualified to do it. Edwin brought realism into literature like ‘Bicycle Thieves’ movie did to films in the late forties. He wrote several novels. I just cannot remember the themes of all these novels. But what I can say is I liked all of them. ‘Hanv Jiyetham’ (I am living) is the best among them. It introduced existentialism in Konkani literature. Even in seminary they told us to read it. It is one of best novels in Konkani. Edwin tops the list of Konkani writing authors presently not just because of the quantity but because of quality.” Fr Chetan said. His analysis literally took the listeners to the world of literature created by Edwin.
Roy Castelino in his presidential address said “Due to the effects of migration and globalisation, we were moving away from our roots. But people have realised their mistakes and they are coming back to their roots. I myself have experienced this in my family recently where some of the members of my family who were away from us for generations and with whom we did not have any contact, have come to us saying that every family members should reunite. The same applies to Konkani language. Gradually Konkani speaking people are embracing their language. But we should always remember that Konkani belongs to 41 communities, not a single one. We should try to bring all of them together. We are known for unity in diversity. Konkani is written in 5 scripts and people of three religions speak it. Without asking for common script, we should enrich Konkani with the present conditions. I congratulate Edwin J F D’Souza and also the Konkani Kutam Bahrain on this occasion.”
Jane D’souza wife of Edwin J F D’Souza, MLC Ivan D’Souza, Fr William Menezes, Fr Vincent Victor Menezes, Fr Valerian Fernandes, Melvyn Rodrigues, Luvi J Pinto, Titus Noronha, William Pais, Manu Bahrain, Ron Roche Cascia, Stany Alvares and, Fr Stephen Pereira were present among others.
Leslie Rego compered the programme. Cyril G Sequeira read out the citation. Vithori Karkal proposed vote of thanks.
About Edwin J F D’Souza
Born in Valencia, Mangaluru in June 1948 Edwin holds a degree in commerce and a post graduate diploma in Konkani. His first short story in Konkani was published in 1964. Since then he has 33 published novels, over one hundred short-stories, columns, satires etc.
Many of his short stories are translated into English, Kannada, Hindi, Kashmiri, Malayalam and Tamil. He has won thirteen state, inter-state and international (from Dubai and Bahrain) awards for literature.
His stories in English too have been published in various magazines and collections.
Presently he is the executive director of institute of Konkani, St. Aloysius college, Mangaluru and the editor of ‘Amar Konkani’ a bi-annual research journal in Konkani.