Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VA)

Mangalore, Sep 6: A condolence meeting was organized by Konkani Writers Forum (KWF) to pay tribute to Jnanapeeth award winning Konkani Writer Ravinda Kelekar who passed away, recently.

H M Pernal, general secretary of the Forum welcomed the gathering and introduced the speaker Dr William R Da’Silva, professor of social science and communication and director of School of Konkani Studies and Research, here.

Addressing the gathering Dr William said, “Though Kelekar was influenced by Gandhian thinking he had aimed to become aamdaar (MLA) one day. He was not a strong supporter of standardization in Konkani. Despite that he took the first initiative to compile the bibliography of all works published in Konkani spread across Goa, Mangalore, Mumbai and Cochin irrespective of scripts.

His novel Tulsi was transliterated and published in Kannada script decades back by Pragathi Prakashan and was well acclaimed by the readers. More than a poet he was a good essayist and ‘Bashecho Samajshatir’ is his master piece. ‘Himalayant’ (travelogue) and ‘Konkani Mahabharat’ are his other remarkable works. “Reading his works is the best tribute one can pay to Ravindra Kelekar”, said Dr William.

Sahitya Academy winner, senior poet J B Sequeira from Mumbai , Sahitya Academy general council member and novelist Rtn Edwin J F D’Souza , Raymond D’Cunha , editor , Pingara Kannada Weekly paid floral tributes to Ravindra Kelekar. Paul Moras, president, Konkani Writers Forum, proposed the vote of thanks.