'Encourage young talent to promote language'

There is a need to encourage young writers and artistes, NRI entrepreneur and Konkani supporter Leo Rodrigues has said.

“Quality literature by young writers would create more readers,” he added.

Rodrigues was speaking after presenting the Leo Rodrigues Family Kittall Youth Award 2017 to young writer Roshu Bajpe at the programme held at Bodhi Tree Farm House in Jeppu.

Prof Muralidhar Upadhyaya, Kannada writer; Lovina Rodrigues, editor of the book ‘Konkani Bhashe – Sahitya’; Kishoo Barkur, poet, lyricist and president of Kavitha Trust; Titus Noronha, chairman of the jury committee; Wilson Kateel, poet and thinker; and H M Pernal, poet and editor of the website of Kittall, were present on the dais.

The award comprised a cash prize of Rs 25,000 and a citation.

About the award

Since 2012, Kittall.com, the Konkani literary website edited by well-known Konkani creative writer and critic H M Pernal, has been giving the award to young and emerging Konkani writers, poets and lyricists. The move is taken to encourage young writers and given an impetus to the language and culture too.

Leo Rodrigues and his family sponsors the award given to young Konkani writers every year.

Kishoo Barkur released the book ‘Teent Zalem Rogot’ - a collection of Konkani poems by Roshi Bajpe. The books consists of 62 poems and is published by Kavita Publications, Mangaluru.

The award ceremony was followed by a literary discourse.

Prof Muralidha Upadhyaya spoke on the topic ‘Literature and Humour’.