Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Oct 15: The Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy recognizes senior individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Konkani literature, art, and folklore, bestowing honorary awards and book awards in categories such as poetry, short stories, novels, and translations.
For the year 2023, Marcel M D’Souza, Harry Fernandes, Ashok Damu Kasarakod, Mary Salomi D’Souza, Fr Royson Fernandes and Stephen Mascarenhas (Hemacharya) have been selected for the honorary and book awards.
Hemacharya and Harry Fernandes
Marcel M D’Souza and Ashok Damu
Fr Royson Fernandes
Mary Salomi D’Souza
Stephen Mascarenhas (Hemacharya)
Konkani Literature: Marcel M D’Souza, Mangaluru. He has made significant contributions to Konkani through stories, poetry, and comedy, and served as the president of the Konkani Writers’ Forum Karnataka-Mangaluru.
Konkani Art: Harry Fernandes, Mumbai. He has contributed to cinema by writing stories and directing films in Konkani, Bhojpuri, Hindi, Punjabi, and Marathi. His Konkani film 'Sophiya' won the Karnataka State Award in the regional section.
Konkani Folklore: Ashok Damu, Kasarakod. For the past 25 years, he has worked to preserve Kharvi folklore songs during Holi and has contributed to Konkani folk dramas and culture. In 2009, he founded the Mathrachaya organization to organize educational folk programs.
Konkani Poetry: Atvo Sur – Poet: Mary Salomi D’Souza, Bantwal. She began contributing cartoons to Balamangala at the age of 11 and later moved on to Divo and Raaknno. Her poems are published on Kavita.com and Paynari.com.
Konkani Short Story: Poyli Bhet – Writer: Fr Royson Fernandes, Hirgan. He has served as editor of the Ujwaad fortnightly for four years and is the director of public relations for the Udupi diocese. His films Passport and Christakirana are widely popular.
Konkani Translation: Eklo Eksuro – Writer: Stephen Mascarenhas (Hemacharya), Mangaluru. The book Eklo Eksuro is published by Daiji Prakashan. He is a founding member of the Daiji Dubai Konkani Writers’ Association. He heads the Ian Cares Foundation, which rehabilitates drug addicts.
The honorary award includes Rs 50,000 in cash, a certificate, shawl, garland, headdress, memento, fruits, and flowers. The book award includes Rs 25,000 in cash, a certificate, shawl, garland, headdress, memento, fruits, and flowers.
The award ceremony will be held on November 10, 2024, at Shanbagh Residency, Kasarakod, Honnavar. The awards will be presented by the minister for fisheries, ports, and inland transport, and Uttara Kannada district in-charge, Mankala S Vaidya. Other dignitaries, including Karwar MLA Sathish Sail, Kumta-Honnavar MLA Dinakara Shetty, Kasarakod panchayat president Mankali Prakash Harijan, MLC Ivan D’Souza, and other prominent personalities, will also be present. An interactive session with the awardees and various entertainment programmes will follow the ceremony.