Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy presents Honorary, Book awards for 2024

Media Release

Mysore, 26 Mar 2025: The Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, in collaboration with the Konkani Christian Association, hosted the 2024 Honorary Award and Book Award program on 23 March 2025 at the Konkani Bhavan, Mysore. The event was inaugurated by Mr. K. Harish Gowda, the MLA of Chamaraja Assembly constituency, who began the program by lighting the lamp and felicitating the awardees. Mr. Gowda expressed his happiness in honoring the awardees, particularly noting the achievement of the book awardees who had written books in Kannada script. He expressed hope for the continued growth of Konkani literature and art, while urging the government to allocate the necessary funds to complete the Konkani Bhavan. He assured the attendees that he would advocate for the preservation of the Konkani language.

 

The program was presided over by Shri Joaquin Stany Alvaris, the President of the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, who gave the introductory speech and welcomed the dignitaries. A moment of sadness marked the event, as one of the artists from the Siddhi cultural team, who was supposed to perform, tragically passed away in an accident.

 

The Academy honored individuals who had contributed significantly to Konkani folklore and culture. Shri Patrick Kamil Moras, an acclaimed writer in Konkani literature; Shri Joel Pereira, an expert in Konkani music; and Smt. Sobina Motesh Kambrekar, a champion of Siddhi culture, received the prestigious Honorary Award for their contributions. Additionally, Mrs. Felsy Lobo’s poetry book *Palva Pont* and Mr. Valerian Sequeira’s essay book *Shetam Bhatam Thotanni* received the Book Award.

 

 

On behalf of the awardees, Joel Pereira and Felsy Lobo shared their heartfelt gratitude, thanking the Academy and their supporters. Shri V.N. Mallikarjuna Swamy, Joint Director of the Department of Kannada and Culture, Mysore Division, also attended as a guest of honor. He released the honorary awards and introduced the book awardees, thanking all writers and artists who have worked to preserve both the Kannada language and their mother tongues. He extended his best wishes to the awardees and the program for the preservation and development of Konkani culture.

 

Other notable attendees included Karnataka Rajyotsava Award winner Shri Valerian D’Souza (Valli Vagga), Konkani Christian Association President Shri John D’Souza, and Secretary Mrs. Joyce Sequeira. The event was presented by Academy member Mrs. Sapna May Crasta, with the vote of thanks delivered by Shri John D’Souza. Several Academy members, including Naveen Lobo, Ronald Crasta, Samarth Bhat, Dayanand Madkekar, and Akshata Nayak, were also present on stage.

 

The program also featured a vibrant *Rasamanjari* music performance, with Anthony Kirtan James and his team, the Brass Band, and Elron Rodriguez and his team providing entertainment.