Distinguished Konkani writer Edwin J F D’Souza passes away

Bellevision Media Network

Mangaluru, 26 Oct 2023: Distinguished Konkani writer and recipient of the Kendra Sahitya Academy Award, Edwin J F D’Souza, passed away at 75 years on Thursday, 26 October 2023.

 

Born on 14 June 1948, in Valencia, Mangaluru, Edwin Joseph Francis D’Souza was an esteemed alumnus of St Aloysius (Autonomous) College, Mangaluru. He held a degree in commerce and a postgraduate diploma in Konkani. He also had earned five online diplomas from a Bible School in the United States, where he specialized in Christian Theology.

 

The first short story written by Edwin JF D’Souza in Konkani was published in 1964. Thereafter he wrote 33 novels, initially under the pen name of ‘Vasu Valencia’, over one hundred short stories in various Konkani magazines and periodicals. Some of his short stories have been translated into English, Kannada, Hindi, Kashmiri, Malayalam, and Tamil. He  received thirteen state, inter-state, and international awards for his literary contributions. His celebrated short story, "A Cup of Hot Coffee," was featured in the anthology "Our Favorite Indian Short Stories," published by Jaico Books and edited by late Khushwant Singh. His short story "Chocolates" appeared twice in the Reader’s Digest Guide to Food, Special Collector’s Edition.

 

 

Many of the stories of Edwin JF D’Souza have been published by Kendra Sahitya Academy in  their publications Prateechi and Indian Literature. ’Poinn’ (The Journey), the first anthology of 22 short stories in Konkani authored by Edwin was immensely popular, while a trilogy ’Unna Bhavaadthase’ is being published by Karnataka Sahitya Academy in 2015 in a single volume.

 

The Goa Konkani Akademi published his 450-page novel, "Kallem Bhangaar," in the Nagari script. This novel earned him the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi Best Book of the Year 2013 and the Best Book of the Year 2013 award from the Vimala V Pai Vishwa Konkani Award. He also received a recent award from the Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi. The Goa Konkani Akademi published his 450-page novel, "Kallem Bhangaar," in the Nagari script. This novel earned him the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi Best Book of the Year 2013 and the Best Book of the Year 2013 award from the Vimala V Pai Vishwa Konkani Award. He also received a recent award from the Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi.

 

Edwin JF D’Souza was a member of the general council of the Sahitya Akademi (2008-2012), New Delhi, and also served as a member of the expert committee for the Ministry of Culture, New Delhi, deciding on the Fellowship Awards for Research. Edwin D’Souza additionally served on the Board of Studies for Konkani at Goa University.

 

Edwin D’Souza is survived by his wife, Marcelline Jane D’Souza, his daughter, Ruth Esther D’Souza, his son-in-law, Sudhakar Prabhu, and his grandchild, Anoushka Prabhu.

 

Mortal remains of Edwin J F D’Souza will be brought to Our Lady of Miracles Church, Milagres, Mangalore at 10.00 am for public viewing on Saturday, 28 October, followed by Mass at 11:00 am.