Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Sep 15: The prestigious 'Dr T M A Pai Foundation Best Konkani Book' award for the year 2015 has been won by well-known Konkani poet and treasurer of Kavita Trust, Andrew L D Cunha for his work, 'Anjurachem Paan'.

The current award is fourth in a line that this work has won. It has already won Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy book award, All India Konkani Writers Organization (AIKWO) award, and Vimala V Pai Vishwa Konkani Kavita Puraskar.

The above award comprises cash component of Rs 25,000, a memento and citation.

The book was published by Kavita Publications. Sahitya Akademi award-winning poet Melvyn Rodrigues had written the preface for the above book, which has 62 poems spread over 184 pages.

Andrew L D Cunha was born at Kinnikambla, Gurpur. He currently stays at Bejai in the city. He has written in Konkani since the last 35 years during which period he has contributed over 500 poems. His 'Vhalu Vhalu Vhal Vhalya' book of poems was published by Ashavadi Publication while 'Ayeracho Book' of poems was published by Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy.

D'Cunha happens to be the owner of Mangaluru-based concern, 'Winwin Fin Advisory Ltd'.

H M Pernal, editor of website, 'Kittall', notes that Andrew L D Cunha happens to be a sensitive poet among poets writing in Konkani. In his poems, one can find instant and intense response to social issues. Most of his poems depict grandeur of bygone era, current time and future.

Former editor of 'Raknno' weekly Fr Francis Rodrigues says that the poems penned by Andrew have fragrance of earth.

Speaking to Daijiworld, Andrew said, "I am happy to receive this prestigious award. I thank Konkani readers first at this stage who have inspired me to write. I will keep on writing. Social issues will always remain my main subject in poems."