‘Vozram’ - collection of Konkani limericks released
‘Vozram,’ a collection of about 3,500 Konkani short poems (limericks) and said to be the first of its kind in Konkani language, by Dr Austin D’Souza Prabhu (Chicago, USA) and brought out by Mariads Prakashan (Mangalore) was released by Printania Offset Pvt. Ltd. (Mumbai) Chairman Albert W D’Souza, on Tuesday.
Speaking after releasing the book, D’Souza said he said he was inspired by a limerick when he was very young and that continues to inspire him even till date. “If one limerick could inspire one person, then I am sure 3,500 limericks can inspire numerous people,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, author of the Vozram Dr Austin D’Souza Prabhu said he never wrote the limericks for any award or appreciation.
“It was purely for pleasure. And if somebody likes them, the purpose is served,” he noted. Stating that he started writing the limericks just three years ago, he said “some of them are spicy, some are hard and some mild...”
Recipient of “Life Time Community Service Award” from the President of the United States George Bush in 2007, Dr Prabhu was the first ever of Indian origin “District Governor” of Mother District of Lionism 1-A, Chicagoland in 2004.
In 2009 Austin and his wife Terry were bestowed with “Chicago’s Prestigious Couple” award. Born and brought up in Mangalore, Dr Austin lives in Chicago for the last 28 years. During 1970’s, Dr Prabhu published three Konkani periodicals ‘Mithr’ Weekly, ‘Jhelo’ Fortnightly and ‘Kannnik’ Monthly simultaneously.
Presiding over the book release programme, Basti Vaman Shenoy lauded the efforts of Dr Prabhu and informed that Dr Prabhu has been included in the “Hall of Fame” of Vishwa Konkani Kendr.
Earlier, Priya Publications (Mumbai) Proprietor Ancy Paladka, read a couple of limericks and said there are several limericks which ‘touches’ every person in every profession. Publisher H R Alva was present.
Dr Prabhu presented the first copy of the book to Mrs Monica Alvares, the widow of the late Jo Sa Alvares, pioneer of Konkani journalism and renowned author to whom Vozram is dedicated.
