Ashawadi Prakashan Marks Silver Jubilee; Poinnari.com Celebrates Decennial Jubilee in Mangalore
The silver jubilee of Ashawadi Prakashan, founded in Kuwait in 2000 and the decennial jubilee of Poinnari.com, a three-script Konkani literary website launched in Mumbai in 2015, were jointly celebrated with great enthusiasm on Sunday at the MCC Bank PFX Auditorium, Mangalore. The celebrations were held from 10 am to 1 pm and witnessed the presence of eminent writers, artists, scholars and Konkani lovers from various places.
The programme featured the Basti Vaman Shennoy Memorial release of 25 Konkani books, a Lifetime Achievement Award for value-based Konkani journalism, felicitation of achievers in literature, art, theatre, dance and social service and the first-ever Late Dennis Dcunha Memorial Ashawadi Transliteration Book Award for a Konkani book transliterated into Kannada script.
Introducing and moderating the programme, Lawrence Vinod Barboza Shirwa (Manchester) said that Ashawadi Prakashan, over the past 25 years, has not only published Konkani literature but has also functioned like a literary institution by organising contests and activities, thereby nurturing and promoting new Konkani literary talent.
The programme was inaugurated by Rev. Fr Ronald Prakash Dsouza Ajekar. Founder of Ashawadi Prakashan and Editor of Poinnari.com, Valley Quadras Ajekar, delivered the welcome address. Renowned Konkani poet Andrew L. Dcunha spoke in detail on the “25-year journey of Ashawadi Prakashan,” while Rev. Fr Melvin Dcunha released the Poinnari Decennial Special Issue (Ashawadi–25). The chief guests were Shri Nandagopal Shenoy (Vishwa Konkani Kendra, Mangalore), Dr Chandralekha Dsouza (Retired HOD, Konkani Department, Goa University) and Corinne Rasquinha (White-Daws).
Several personalities were felicitated for their contributions: Clara Arun Dcunha (Social Service), Yvette Remona Pereira (Bharatanatyam), Rohit Sanctus (Social Service), Christopher Dsouza, Ninasam (Theatre), Wilson Dsouza, Kayyar (Art), Glanish Jude Martis, Alangar (Literature), and Bernard J. Costa, Kundapura (Drama and Digital Journalism). They were honoured with shawls, certificates, citations and mementos. Avil Rasquinha was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Value-Based Konkani Journalism by Dr Chandralekha Dsouza and Rev. Fr Chetan Lobo. On the occasion, his third collection of poems, Pavsa Thembe, was released. Rev. Fr Melvin Dcunha addressed the gathering, while Avil Rasquinha and Clara Arun Dcunha spoke on behalf of the honourees.
Moderating the proceedings, Arun Dsouza Ajekar highlighted the release of several significant works, including four comprehensive studies on Konkani short stories—Sallakachya Sirivantachyo Katha, Chal Don Chandrank, Kathavihana and Kathapatha—marking a first in the 130-year history of Konkani journalism. Three novels, four short story collections, three essay collections and poetry books published by Ashawadi Prakashan were also released. Under the MDVK (Michael D’Souza’s Vishan Konkani) project, the poetry collection Muralicho Naad was released.
The Late Denis Dcunha Memorial Ashawadi Transliteration Award was presented to poet Shailendra Mehta for his poetry collection Nirvasit Yatrichi Bhounddi. The award, comprising a shawl, certificate, memento and a cheque of ₹25,000, was presented by Melvin Rodrigues and Francis Dcunha, with the cheque handed over by Andrew L. Dcunha. Poet Shailendra Mehta addressed the gathering after receiving the award. Several distinguished guests, including representatives from literary, academic and cultural fields, attended the programme. The event concluded with votes of thanks, marking a memorable celebration of Konkani language, literature and culture.
