Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Mar 30: The Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy has announced the recipients of the 2025 Honour Awards and Book Prizes, presented annually to distinguished personalities in the fields of Konkani literature, art, and folklore.
The 2025 Honour Awards have been announced for Ron Roche Cassia in the Konkani Literature category, Ramdas Dattatreya Gulwadi in the Konkani Art category, and Sairu (Muralidhar) Puttu Naik in the Konkani Folklore category.
The 2025 Book Awards have been conferred on Andrew L D’Cunha for ‘Ujwadache Vengent’ in the Konkani Poetry category, Roshan Melky Sequeira for ‘Konkani Circus’ in the Konkani Essays category, and Richard Alvares for ‘Fithuri’ in the Konkani Short Stories category.
The award presentation ceremony will be held on Sunday April 26 at 5 pm at Udyavar church premises in Udupi district. Minister for backward classes welfare and Kannada and culture Shivraj S Tangadagi will inaugurate the programme. The event will be presided over by Academy president Joachim Stany Alvares. MLA of Kaup constituency Suresh Shetty Gurme and bishop of Udupi diocese Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo will attend as chief guests.
The ceremony will also feature cultural performances including traditional dances of Kharvi, Siddhi and Kudubi communities, brass band, and a Konkani musical programme.
About the awardees
Konkani Literature Honour Award: Ron Roche Cassia
Ronald Roche (Ron Roche Cassia), aged 79, is a noted Konkani writer and senior litterateur. He has authored 12 detective novels and contributed over 150 short stories and more than 200 articles published across Konkani publications. His notable works include Sarlam Patlyan, Ami Nov, Hanv Radtam, Tachim Hadam, Kalavati, Thokan No.13, Ho Hath Khunyacho, Mhaka Jiyenvk Soda, Tambdo Vakor, Hanv Tache Sodner, Jar Hanv Sangin Tar, and Ghata Patlo Hath. He has also composed several songs and is a singer. He has received the Victor Rodrigues Memorial Literary Award (2017) and Daiji Dubai Literary Award (2018), and is now a recipient of the Academy’s Literature Honour Award.
Konkani Art Honour Award: Ramdas Dattatreya Gulwadi
Ramdas Dattatreya Gulwadi, aged 89, belongs to the Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin community. Born in Belthangady to Dattatreya Shivanand Bhat Gulwadi and Sharada Bai, he holds BA and BSc degrees. He entered theatre at the age of seven and has over 80 years of experience in drama. Introduced to theatre by his grandfather Haridas Shivanand Bhat, he is a multi-talented personality skilled in Harikatha, theatre, cinema writing, acting, direction, Hindustani classical music, and musical instruments. From 1964 to 2000, he was associated with amateur theatre groups in Mumbai, and after returning to Mangaluru in 2001, he co-founded Konkani Stage Crafts and worked with theatre stalwarts. He has been honoured with the title Konkani Cultural Ambassador by Konkani Cultural Organisation Mangaluru and has received the Vishwa Konkani Rangashreshta Award. He now receives the Academy’s Art Honour Award.
Konkani Folklore Honour Award: Sairu (Muralidhar) Puttu Naik
Sairu (Muralidhar) Puttu Naik entered the traditional Konkani ‘Khel’ art form, similar to Yakshagana, in 1974. In 1998, he became head of Shri Ramanath Khel Natya Sangh and was elevated as Bhagavata. Since then, he has participated in over 400 cultural programmes with his troupe. Over the past 27 years, he has served as an artist, director, writer, and performer in Konkani Khel. His troupe has also presented Songa Khel, and he has worked as a Gumat player for over 40 years. He has received several recognitions and awards and is now honoured with the Academy’s Folklore Award.
Konkani Poetry Book Award: Andrew L D’Cunha – ‘Ujwadache Vengent’
Andrew L D’Cunha, son of late Denis and Mary D’Cunha, is a popular poet originally from Gurupura Kinnikambla and currently residing in Bijai. He has been writing in Konkani for over 42 years, with more than 800 poems, over 100 articles, and 30 short stories to his credit. His published poetry collections include Vhalu Vhalu Vhal Valiya, Anjurachem Pan, and Ayeracho Book. His work Anjurachem Pan (2013) has received multiple awards including Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Award, AIKWO Award, Vishwa Konkani Poetry Award, and TMA Pai Book Award. He also received the State-level Sandesha Konkani Literary Award in 2023. He has presented 40 Konkani programmes on Mangaluru Akashvani, conducted children’s columns under the name ‘Andru Maam’ in Rakno newspaper, and served as managing editor of Amcho Yuvak. He has organised poetry sessions in India and abroad and delivered lectures on poetry. He is a trustee of Kavita Trust and works as a financial advisor, running his own WINWIN firm. His book ‘Ujwadache Vengent’ has now received the 2025 Academy Poetry Award.
Konkani Essay Book Award: Roshan Melky Sequeira – ‘Konkani Circus’
Roshan Melky Sequeira of Bajpe, popularly known as ‘Roshu Bajpe’, is the youngest among nine children of late Bonaventure and Mary Sequeira. He holds a BCom degree from St Aloysius College and an MCom from Mysore University. He has contributed extensively to poetry, short stories, humour, satire, essays, and prose, with his works published in various journals and broadcast on radio. He is known for writing ghazals and songs for Konkani recordings. His works include poetry collections Tinth Jalem Ragat and Girbuji, humour books Hasya Attack, Open Hasya Surgery, Felis Navidad, Poli-tical, and Konkani Circus, short story collection Paying Guest Ani Her Katha, and novel Sandun Ghallli Sheli, along with several plays and translations. He has received multiple awards including Yuvakiran Award, Kital Yuva Award, Konkani Sahitya Academy Award, Dr TMA Pai Award, and Goa Konkani Sahitya Academy Award. His book ‘Konkani Circus’ has been selected for the 2025 Essay Award.
Konkani Short Story Book Award: Richard Alvares – ‘Fithuri’
Richard Alvares of Kulshekar, Mangaluru, entered the Konkani literary field about 50 years ago under the pen name ‘Anand’ and more recently writes under the name ‘Guruji’. His humorous writings, stories, and essays have appeared in various Konkani publications. He has served on editorial boards of Daivik Amrit and Kordelchem Jayt, and as associate editor for multiple publications including Kanik and Yuvatare. His works include Moladhik Motiyan (a collection of 100 articles), Kolkattachi Bhagavant Teresa, Mariyesangim Sodvanecho Niyal, Jejusangim Magyam, and several others. He has also authored Kannada books such as Hosa Belaku, Krista Preeti, Daarideepa, and Deepika. He has won several literary awards, including the Danti Award (1998) for Hosa Belaku. A teacher by profession, he has received the JCI Silicon City Guru Award, the President’s Silver Medal for census work in 2011, and the Dakshina Kannada District Best Teacher Award in 2014. His short story collection ‘Fithuri’ has now received the 2025 Academy Award.