Media Release

Calicut, Jun 4: A collection of nine stories of Vaikom Muhammad Basheer translated from Malayalam into Konkani language was released by MP Veererndra Kumar, managing director and chairman of Mathrubhumi Group of Publications, at a function held at Calicut on June 3.

As a short story writer Basheer was first identified and encouraged by one Padmanabha Pai, a Konkani  man, who published ‘Thangam”,  the  first short story by Basheer in his magazine ‘Jayakesari’ in 1938. This was recollected by Veerendra Kumar in his inaugural speech.  First copy of the book titled ‘Basheeraalyo Kaaniyo’ was received by K Surendra Rao, editor of Saraswat Vani. 

Payyanur Ramesh Pai, chairman of Konkani Sahitya Akademi Kerala,  presided over the book release function. P.N.Sivananda Shenoy, secretary of the Akademi, Anees Basheer, son of Vaikom Muhammad Basheer and K.K.Subramanian, member of the Akademi, spoke during the occasion. G.Santhosh Pai welcomed the gathering and RV Shenoy proposed a vote of thanks.

Translations of Mathilukal and Ntuppooppaakkoranendaarnnu, two novels  of Basheer, have already appeared in Konkani earlier. The present collection  is translated by professor RK Rao, and is brought out by the Konkani Sahitya Akademi Kerala, formed by the State Government last year.