Eminent Konkani Writer Edwin JF D’Souza Felicitated by Senior Writers
Mangaluru: As they that “Pen is mightier than the Sword” – this quote fits well against acclaimed Konkani writer Edwin J F D’Souza of Mangaluru who has penned thirty-three novels and over 100 short stories, and has won over twelve awards, and his achievements still go on. Recently, Edwin being the recipient of the Kendra Sahitya Academy Award-New Delhi for his award-winning Konkani novel “Kalem Banghar” (Black Gold) was felicitated by members of Senior Konkani Sahiti Mithr-Mangaluru and Genesis Prakashan – Mangaluru at Fatima Retreat House hall, joined by other writers, poets, relatives and friends.
Prior to the formal function, a short quiz was conducted on the life and achievements of Edwin D’Souza by yet another writer Marcel “Machha Milar” D’Souza, who was also the compere of the occasion. Later Edwin D’Souza was introduced to the audience by Isaac “Yeshwanth” D’souza, a Konkani, Tulu and Kannada writer, following which Edwin D’Souza was felicitated with a shawl, flower garland, fruit basket and a memento by Fr Mark Walder, former editor of Raknno along with JF D’Souza, Ron Roche Cascia, Marcel D’Souza and Edwin Netto, all Konkani writers.
Getting up from the chair after being felicitated, addressing the gathering with a witty speech Edwin D’souza said that he felt like he was sitting alone in an electric chair – he continued narrating his family history, his writing spree and his other endeavors, which was applauded by the audience. Winners in the quiz contest were presented with the prizes, and there was also an interaction with Edwin, where few members of the audience posed few queries to him, which he answered in a humorous way, but to the point. The vote of thanks was proposed by Marcel D’souza.
About Edwin J F D’Souza- a brief profile:
Edwin J. F. DSouza was born in Valencia, Mangaluru in June 1948-he is a product of St. Aloysius College (Autonomous), Mangaluru, and holds a degree in Commerce and a Post Graduate Diploma in Konkani. His first short story in Konkani was published in the year 1964. Since then he has 33 published novels, over one hundred short-stories, columns, satires etc to his credit. Many of his short stories are translated into English, Kannada, Hindi, Kashmiri, Malayalam and Tamil. He has won twelve State, inter-state and International (from Dubai) Awards for literature; his acclaimed short story, ”A Cup of Hot Coffee” is published by (late) Khuswant Singh in his anthology, ”Our Favorite Indian Short Stories”, published by Jaico Books.
His touching short story “Chocolates” is published twice by Reader’s Digest Guide to Food, Special Collector’s Edition. Several of his short stories are published by Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi in their publications – Prateechi and Indian Literature. An anthology titled ‘Chocolates’, of his own translations of his Konkani short stories is published by ‘The English Titles Publications’ of Chennai.
In the month of March 2012, he was awarded The Book Sellers’ & Publishers’ Award (BAPASI) from Chennai for his life-time contribution to a minority language. Goa Konkani Akademi published his 450-page novel “Kallem Bhangaar” (Black Gold) in Nagari script. This novel won him the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi Best Book of the year 2013 and also, Best Book of the Year 2013 from the Vimala V.Pai Vishwa Konkani Award. His trilogy “Unnya Bhavaadthace” running to 1008+ pages is published as a single volume by the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi in 2015. Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations (FKCA) honored him at a glittering Ceremony in Bengaluru in 2015 which was presided over by Shri Siddaramayya, Honorable Chief Minister of Karnataka.
His first anthology of 22 short-stories in Konkani (Devnagari) ‘Poinn’ (The Journey) is published jointly by Bimb Publications and Goa Konkani Akademi. He was on the General Council of the Sahitya Akademi (2008-2012) New Delhi. He has served as a Member to the Expert Committee, Ministry of Culture, New Delhi, which decides on the Fellowship Awards. He is also on the Board of Studies (Konkani) Goa University. His notable translations are 13 of his own Konkani short stories into English and published as an anthology “Chocolates” by English Titles Publications, Chennai; he is also on the list of accredited Translators of Sahitya Akademi, Chennai Chapter.
Sahitya Akademi assigned him to translate Konkani biography of the renowned Poet and Dramatist late Mr.C.F.D’Costa and also to write the biography in English of late Mr.V.J.P. Saldanha. Presently he is the Executive Director of Institute of Konkani, St. Aloysius College (Autonomous), Mangaluru and edits “Amar Konkani,” a bi-annual research journal in Konkani.