News / Pics by Rons Bantwal

Mumbai, Jun 21:  John Baptist (J B) Moraes, the renowned Konkani poet, story writer, playwright, writer, editor, translation, and organizer is celebrating his 80th birthday. He was born to Benjamin and Mary Moraes poor couple in Mundkoor (Niddody) village, Moodbidri taluk of Dakshina Kannada district.

He had completed SSLC at Pompeii High School, Talipady in his native during 1951 and migrated to metro on the same year and joined Park Davis Pharmaceuticals as junior clerk.  He retired from his service as regional depot manager in 1992.

Literary contributions:

He founded Konkani Prachar Mandal while study in high school owing to his great love for literature.  He had published handwritten copies of Konkani monthly, besides published a few Konkani books in order to teach Konkani to the children.  He had authored 11 books on different literary spheres, out of which a few of them were in Devanagari and Kannada scripts. 

His first book was Konkani translation of Shakespeare’s play – Romeo Juliet that was published in 1954.  He wrote his first poetry –Navi Vakal- and his first play ‘Kosheddhan Kelli Kun’ that was published in 1980 bagged prize from Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Goa.  His second poetry –Bitarlen Tufan’ that was published in 1984 bagged Central Sahitya Academy award.

He has translated ‘Kannada Sahitya Charitre’ book authored by Mugali into English which was published by Konkani Sahitya Academy.  He also translated ‘Bomana Gudi’ authored by renowned Kannada novelist Dr Shivaram Karant.  His collection of poetical plays ‘Fatyanfarachi Bail’ was published in Goa.  An anthology of veteran of Konkani literature ‘ Manglurchin Ujwal Ratnam’ was published in 1998.  He wrote autobiography George Fernandes, true son of Mangalore in Konkani as ‘George Fernandesachi Ek sahasi Jeen.’ His literature was broadcasted by metro’s All India Radio (AIR) during poetry session, seminar and story telling.

His in-depth English article ‘Masterpieces of Indian Literature’ based on Konkani’s greatest poets Louis Mascarenhas and Cha Fra D’Costa was published by National Book Trust.  His chosen poems translation has been published by American Anthology of Poetry and Indian Literature.  It has been translated in Hindi and Kannada as well.

He has authored Konkani literature in Karnataka that was incorporated in the ‘History of Konkani Literature’ anthology by Dr Manohar Sardesai, which was published by Sahitya Academy.  He has partaken in several Konkani and multi-lingual poet’s convention.  Sahitya Academy has published ‘Bharatia Sahityada Nirmapakaru’ Kannada book that was authored by J B Moraes based on the lifetime literary contributions of Cha Fra D’Costa.

As Konkani activist:
He has played key role in reviving Konkani Basha Mandal – Mumbai in 1992.  He was instrumental in organizing the golden jubilee celebrations of Konkani Basha Mandal in 1993 and Akhil Bharat Konkani Parishat in 1992.  He was organizing writers and poets training camp both in metro and in Mangalore.  He tried through Konkani Basha Mandal in order to set up Konkani Bhavan in metro and Konkani Academy in Maharashtra.

As Dramatist and translator:
He is the playwright of 3 plays and donned role in 2 plays.  He has authored 3 poetic plays based on Bible.  He has directed one play.  He donned a key role in a play on the late Cha Fra D’Costa.  His one such play was broadcast as musical play in AIR.  He has translated a few novels of Sherlock Homes and James Hadley Chase into Kannada.

As Journalist:
He was the founder editor of ‘Konkan Daiz’ journal that was established in 1948.  He was the editor of ‘Konkan Daiz’ monthly that was published in 1958.  He was part of editorial board of ‘Poinnari’ Konkani weekly from 1964 to 1976.  He was the founder editor of ‘Divo’ Konkani illustrated weekly since 1998.  He also served as editor of ‘Konkani Saad’ bulletin of Konkani Basha Mandal.  He has presented paper on Konkani journalism and the difficulties during the first World Konkani Sammelan.  He has authored the five-decades of history of Basha Mandal during the golden jubilee celebration in 1992.

Honors and Awards:
Central Sahitya Academy conferred award to Moraes for his book ‘Bitarlen Tufan’ poetry collection in 1985.  He was accorded state honor in 1990.  Dr T M A Pai Foundation – Manipal conferred top book Award for the autobiography of Geroge Fernandes.  Mangalore based Sandesha Foundation conferred Sandesha Award in 2001.  He also bagged Daiji Dubai literary Award in 2005, besides top employee Award from his employer Park Davis Pharma. ‘ Divo’ Konkani illustrated weekly that is published from metro, conferred Lifetime Achievement Award to Moraes.

Service record and posts:
He was the chairman of nineteenth convention of Akhila Bharatiya Konkani Parishat during 1992.  He served as member in advisory Committee of Konkani Sahitya Academy.  He served as honorary chief secretary in Konkani Basha Mandal from 1992 to 1995.  He served as regional secretary during World Konkani Sammelan in 1995.

Moraes was married to Matilda Pinto in 1957.  They have four sons, all are well settled.  Moraes family lives in Ritz Convent View Co-op Housing Society, Chembur village Road, here.