Mangalore: Melwyn Rodrigues Among Konkani Academy Award Winners

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (GA/VM)

Mangalore, Apr 21: The annual awards of honour given by the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy have been announced.  The awards were announced at the general meeting of the Academy held here on Saturday April 21 morning.

Renowned Konkani poet Melwyn Rodrigues has been selected for the award for his immense contribution to the field of Konkani literature.  Melwyn perhaps is the one person who should get the credit for giving a new direction and dimension to Konkani poetry and popularizing it through his various initiatives.  Known as "poet who creates poets" (Kavink Roch'cho Kavi) he has been endeavouring untiringly to preserve and nurture Konkani literature, especially through poems.

Adolphus Cutinho (Dolla), Chandrashekhar Kharvi and Melwyn Rodrigues

Avitus Adolphus Cutinho, who is fondly known as Dolla Mangalore, needs no introduction.  A noted playwright, actor and director he has been regarded as one of the finest theatre personalities in Konkani.  He has been awarded the award of honour for his contribution to Konkani stage.

Chandrashekhar Kharvi from Kundapur is a familiar name to those who are well-versed with Konkani folklore world.  For long he has been on a mission to preserve the rich Konkani traditions and folk art.

The awards will be conferred at a special function to be held in the IMA Auditorium at Shimoga on Sunday April 29.  Bishop Gerald Issac Lobo of Shimoga, well-known Kannada / Konkani writer Na D'Souza, Dr Ashok Pai will be the chief guest on the occasion.  Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy president Eric Ozario will preside over the function.