Launch of John Aguiar’s Konkani Poetry Collection “Thembe” on February 28 in Panaji

Written by Intern Swara Bodke || Team Allycaral

PANAJI, GOA – Writer, poet and lyricist John Aguiar is set to release his latest collection of Konkani poems, titled Thembe (Drops), further strengthening his contribution to contemporary Konkani literature.
The book release ceremony will be held on February 28, 2026, at 3.30 pm at Shenai Goembab Sabhaghar, Goa Konkani Akademi (BSNL Building), 5th floor, Patto, Panaji. The book will be released at the hands of Dr Purnanand Chari, Chairman of the Konkani Akademi. Smt Aparna Garudi will speak on the book, while Shri Ramesh Ghadi, Vice Chairman of the Konkani Akademi, will attend as Guest of Honour. Poet Prakash Naik will be a special guest at the event.
The function is organised by Ugtem Molob. Shri Vivek Pissurlekar, President of Ugtem Molob, has appealed to writers, poets and literature enthusiasts to attend the function in large numbers.
John Aguiar is widely recognised for his versatility, writing across Romi and Devanagari Konkani, English and Marathi. His works are known for their deep engagement with Goan culture, social realities and the subtleties of everyday life.

A retired officer from the Government of Goa’s Department of Information and Publicity, Aguiar brings a journalist’s clarity and precision to his creative writing. Beyond literature, he is also a well-known lyricist, with several of his songs regularly aired on All India Radio.
His published works span multiple genres. His poetry collections include Paulam, Gulmohar, Sanz and Olyo Yadi, which won the 2017 Konkani Bhasha Mandal’s Rock Barretto Literary Award. His essay collections include Offside (English) and Mandovichea Dege Voilean (Roman Konkani), while his dramatic works include Sonvgam, a collection of one-act plays in Roman Konkani.
One of the early milestones in his career was the publication of the booklet Jinn in 1982–83, which was released by noted writer, poet and lyricist Advocate Uday Bhembre, then President of the Konkani Bhasha Mandal, at Chowgule College during Aguiar’s student days.