Tag: Konkani literature

Books & Literature

Noted Konkani Writer Nayana Adarkar Wins Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2025

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Honoured for her celebrated children’s story collection Belabaicho Shankar Aani Haer Kanyo

New Delhi | June 18, 2025 — In a proud moment for Konkani literature and Goa’s literary community, Nayana Adarkar, an acclaimed writer and storyteller, has been awarded the Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2025 for her collection of Konkani short stories for children, Belabaicho Shankar Aani Haer Kanyo. The award was announced by the Sahitya Akademi as part of its annual celebration recognizing literary excellence across 24 Indian languages.

📚 A Voice for Young Minds in Konkani

Adarkar’s award-winning book, Belabaicho Shankar Aani Haer Kanyo, is a compelling collection of short stories that capture the innocence, curiosity, and inner world of children, while subtly weaving in themes of identity, family, and social values. Written in authentic, lyrical Konkani, the book has been praised for its emotive storytelling and cultural rootedness, making it a standout contribution to Indian children’s literature.

“This honour reflects the timeless relevance of storytelling in one’s mother tongue. I dedicate this award to the children of Goa and every reader who sees a piece of themselves in my stories,” said Nayana Adarkar in a statement following the announcement.

🏅 About the Bal Sahitya Puraskar

The Bal Sahitya Puraskar, awarded annually by Sahitya Akademi, celebrates outstanding works of literature for children published in Indian languages. The 2025 award includes a cash prize of ₹50,000 and an engraved copper plaque, and is decided by a language-specific jury panel.

For the Konkani category, the jury comprised:

  • Kumud Bhiku Naik
  • Rajay Pawar
  • Louis Rodrigues

The jury praised Adarkar’s work for its “original narrative style, emotional depth, and its ability to meaningfully engage young readers through culturally relevant themes.”

🧒 Writing for the Young, In the Language of Home

Nayana Adarkar’s literary career has long been marked by a passion for preserving and enriching Konkani literature, especially for children and young readers. Her latest accolade is not just a personal milestone but also a significant step in elevating the status of Konkani as a vibrant language of creative expression.

🖋️ A Double Honour for Konkani

The announcement also brought recognition to another emerging voice in Konkani literature — Glynis Dias, who was conferred the Yuva Puraskar 2025 for her short story collection Gaavgaathaa. The Yuva Puraskar celebrates literary excellence among writers under the age of 35.

The Konkani jury for the Yuva Puraskar included:

  • Anant Agni
  • H. J. Goveas
  • Madhav Borcar

Both awards highlight the creative momentum in Konkani literary circles, particularly in children’s and youth genres.

🎉 Award Ceremony to Follow

The official award presentation ceremony for the Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya and Yuva Puraskars will be held at a later date, where the recipients will be honoured in the presence of distinguished authors, scholars, and Akademi officials.

🏆 In Summary:

  • Recipient: Nayana Adarkar
  • Award: Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2025
  • Language: Konkani
  • Work: Belabaicho Shankar Aani Haer Kanyo (Short Story Collection)
  • Prize: ₹50,000 + Engraved Copper Plaque
  • Recognizing: Outstanding literature for children published between 2019–2023
Books & Literature

Mohini Smriti Puraskar declared to Konkani activist Anthony Vaz

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The Mohini Smriti Puraskar for 2024 has been declared to Konkani activist Anthony Vaz. This award is given in memory of the wife of veteran writer and freedom fighter late Nagesh Karmali. This award is given to Konkani leaders who have made notable contributions to the Konkani language, literature, movement and education.


Anthony Vaz has worked in the field of Konkani theatre. He has worked in more than 15 Tiatr in Goa and Mumbai. He has also worked in Konkani plays and films. He has actively participated in the 555-day official language movement to make Konkani an official language. In literature, he has written two tiatr, ‘Sukh and Dukh’ and ‘Keed’, as well as the novel ‘Rakhno’. He is also fond of writing plays and poetry.
To promote folk arts, he established his Neez Kala Kendra organisation and organised Konkani folk art programmes all over Goa. He has worked for Konkani Bhasha Mandal and the Kala Academy Goa. His awards include the Konkani Bhasha Mandal Award and the Konkani Bhasha Seva Samman.
The Mohini Smriti Puraskar ceremony, sponsored by Nagesh Karmali’s family, will be organised soon, said Dinesh Manerkar of Sanjana Publications.

Books & Literature

“Ravindra Kelekar’s literature serves as an inspiration for today’s youth” – Raju Nayak

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Ravindra Kelekar made a significant contribution to Konkani literature. He tirelessly worked to preserve Goa’s identity and was deeply committed to the Konkani language. He firmly believed that foreign rule should not prevail over his homeland. Through his work and writings, Ravindrabab provided direction to the younger generation and shared his vision for Goa’s future. His literary works covered a wide range of subjects.

Raju Nayak, the editor of Gomantak, expressed that today’s youth should read Ravindrabab’s literature and draw inspiration from it. He was speaking as the chief guest at a one-day festival organized to mark the birth centenary of Ravindra Kelekar. The event was jointly organized by M.E.S. Vasant Joshi Arts & Commerce College, Zuari Nagar, and Institut Menezes Braganza. It was held at the M.S. Kamat Auditorium of M.E.S. College.

The program began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp, followed by offering flowers to a portrait of Ravindra Kelekar. Ashok Parab, the Member Secretary of Institute hi  Menezes Braganza, welcomed the gathering. Dr. Manasvi Kamat, Principal of M.E.S.  Vasant Joshi College, in his speech, highlighted that this year marks the birth centenary of two great personalities of Goa and acknowledged the Konkani Department of the college for organizing events to commemorate them.

Later, Dashrath Parab, President of Institute Menezes Braganza, shared his thoughts on the occasion. Among the distinguished guests was architect Girish Kelekar, son of Ravindra Kelekar, who spoke about his father’s life and work. The event was anchored by Rajat Hegde, while Satyawan Nayak, in charge of the Konkani Department and event coordinator, expressed gratitude.

Following this, a film on the life and work of Ravindra Kelekar, produced by Dilip Borkar, was screened. The film’s producer, Dilip Borkar, and Sainath Parab were present at the screening. Subsequently, students and teachers presented poetry recitations, with around 20 participants taking part.

In the afternoon session, a quiz competition on Ravindra Kelekar’s life was held. The first prize was awarded to Snehal Naik and Kirti Malekar, the second prize to Siddhi Naik and Ayushi Naik, and the third prize to Samiksha Naik and Roshni Pille. The consolation prize went to Radhika Saroj and Gayatri. Rajat Hegde served as the quiz master.

During the concluding session, Ashok Parab and Satyawan Naik distributed prizes to the winners and presented certificates to all participants, including students and teachers. The closing ceremony was anchored by Nalisha Velip. Among those present were Assistant Professors Nidhi Nayak and Lakshata Matonkar, along with other faculty members. The day-long event saw enthusiastic participation from teachers and students. 

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Uday Bhembre’s book Yadincho Kurponno will be launched on 13th January

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The launch of ‘Yadincho Kurponno’, a memoir by Konkani stalwart and author Adv. Uday Bhembre will be held on 13th January, 2025 (Monday). The book is published by Konkani Bhasha Mandal Goa. Adv. Bhembre has written this book based on his memories of the Konkani language movement. The book launch will be held at 4.00 pm at the Conference at Ravindra Bhavan, Madgaon.

President of the All India Konkani Parishad Fr. Mousinho De Ataide will also deliver the presidential address. Author and critic, Prof. Dr. Bhushan Bhave will be the chief guest and author and teacher Shri. Anant Agni will be the guest of honour, said Mangaldas Bhat, Secretary of Konkani Bhasha Mandal.

The book is based on the struggle of the Konkani language and the experiences of being a witness to this struggle, said Ratnamala Divkar, president of KBM. Ratnamala Divkar has requested the public to attend the launch of this historically important book in large numbers.