Mangalore: 'Sirivant' Remembered on Ist Death Anniversary, Books Released

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MB)
Pics Austin Pinto

Mangalore, Nov 5: It has been a year since noted Konkani writer, raconteur, playwright, printer, publisher and journalist Jerome Cyril Viegas, known to his friends and well-wishers and readers as 'Sirivant', is gone.

A memorial meeting was held in the Angelore hall on Sunday noon, where his former associates, friends, artistes and literary figures gathered to pay homage to him and recall his contribution to the society, the publishing field and Konkani journalism.

The meeting was presided over by Fr Denis D'Sa, administrator of Father Muller Medical College. A collection of Sirivant's fiftytwo choicest stories and fortynine humorous write-ups 'Sirivantachim Liknne-motiam' ('Gems from Sirivant's pen) was released by Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy president Eric Ozario. After the author's death, it was the single-handed effort of his only daughter Carol to have broght to light some of his best creations.

Dr Edward Nazareth, noted ortho surgeon and a Konkani writer himself, who a year ago had the privilege of giving an eulogy at the final rites of Sirivant, again paid glowing tributes to the late writer, throwing a wide glance over his times and works. He also widely quoted from the rich tributes paid by different individuals who were closely associated with Sirivant during his lifetime.

Author-playwright Dolphy Cascia too spoke on the occasion and recalled what a stickler for quality and perfection in publishing Sirivant was during the pre-offset and pre-DTP days. He cited a particular instance, when Sirivant had discarded the cover page of a certain book published by him even after it was bound and was about to be put on sale, for the sole reason that the cover page was found not up to the mark by him. 'Quality at any cost,' was his trade motto, even if amounted to a huge personal, financial loss to him.

After releasing Sirivant's book of stories and write-ups, Eric Ozario too spoke highly about the literary calibre of the late Sirivant and his simple personality.  He also exhorted the reading public to buy the book for its rich literary content and quality of creation.

Sirivant's dream of bringing out a reprint of A T Lobo's masterpiece of a mega-novel 'Vell Ghoddi' had remained unfulfilled. Carol has now accomplished that task as well. The set of five volumes as part of the second edition was released by web journalist and English-Kannada-Konkani writer Richie Lasrado, who had over three decades of long association with Sirivant as part of journalism and literary interaction.

Lasrado recalled his long association and acquaintance with both families of Sirivant and his wife Juliana for over thirty years. He intimately reminisced over the trials and tribulations that the late writer had undergone and likened his life to a sandalwood tree which spreads its scent only after its death, while remaining largely unnoticed during its lifetime.

Lasrado also spoke on the mega-novel 'Vell Ghoddi' which had set a high benchmark in Konkani literature, which was hard to surpass by any other novels. He lauded the mission taken up by Carol Viegas, herself daughter of a writer who went through difficulties, to bring out the book of another author. He made a fervent appeal to the public to buy the books and appreciate the rich content and quality of the novel.

Fr D'Sa in his presidential address also spoke about the great qualities that Sirivant had and about the noble task that his daughter took upon herself to publish her father's work as also to complete the unfinished dream of his to publish the late A T Lobo's magnum opus.

Benedict 'Manu' Viegas gave a vote of thanks. Juliet Pereira compered the programme.