JOIN USAmong them, those who have brought out story books in Konkani are very few.
However, the credit of bringing out a series of story books in Konkani for chidren undoubtedly goes for J F D’Souza (pen name Jeffry Kumar Jeppu). After bringing out ‘Bhangarachi Masli’ (Golden Fish), ‘Bhangarachem Chithal’ (Golden Deer), ‘Bhangarachi Kurad’ (Golden Axe), ‘Bhangarachi Imaz’ (Golden Idol) and ‘Bhangarachem Hus’ (Golden Duck), D’Souza has come out with yet another golden series — ‘Bhangarachem Mhor’ (Golden Peacock). In fact, his ‘Bhangarachi Masli’ released in 2004 won him Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy award in children’s literature category.
The new book has 40 short stories and each story has attractive titles such as “Pathyenecho peto” (Faithful dog), “Birbalak solvochen koshem?” (How to defeat Birbal?), “Teen dukrachin pilan” (3 piggies), “Geed, keer ani sorop” (Owl, parrot and cobra), “Burakachi modki” (Pot with a hole), “Masli ani Columbus” (Fish and Columbus) and “Vagachyo mishyo” (Tiger’s mustache) among others.
Speaking to City Herald, D’Souza said that the Internet and mobile phones have made children adults, much before they become adults. “Our grandparents and teachers used to tell us plenty of moral stories and many a stories have made a deep impact on us.
However, such a trend is fast vanishing,” he laments and adds that the book is an attempt to bridge the gap.
D’Souza who retired as a Superintendent in the Forest department after serving there for 39 years (1961-1999), has the credit of having got his 80 poems telecast on ‘Namma Kudla’ channel. He also has the record of participating in more than 400 episodes of ‘Janamana’ programme that appeared in V4 channel. Besides, he owns an unique record of writing more than 3,500 ‘letters to editor’ in various newpapers.
Recognising his contribution to literature, konkanifriends.com in Europe felicitated and conferred him the title “Konkani Star” in 2007.
At a time when nuclear homes have become order of the day, the book can perhaps fill the void created by the absence of grandparents and their wonderful fairytales.