Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Dubai, Dec 14: Well-known Konkani writer Gratian Pius D’Silva (nom de plume HEROLPIUS) has bagged the prestigious Daiji Dubai Literary Award for the year 2012. The Award will consist of Rs 50,000 cash, a citation and memento.
HEROLPIUS was born on August 14, 1954 at Cordel in Mangalore. Born to the late John D’Silva and the late Marceline Fernandes, he is third among the siblings. His first story was published in the year 1970 in Jhelo Monthly. That was just the foundation for an exciting record of literary success. As on date he has written about 170 short stories, 10 novels, 272 articles, over 200 poems, 1200-plus jokes, numerous stage plays and skits. His novel ‘Don Thembe Dukam’ bagged the Goa Konkani Basha Mandal award in 1972. His popular novels such as ‘Ragat Ani Udak’, ‘Ek Adurem Pintur’, ‘Moja Sapnachi Raani’, ‘Sister Shobha’, ‘Mog Ani Thyag’, ‘Tum Mojens-bha’, ‘Lagnachim Paili Raat’, ‘Pusun Ghallo Polo’ and ‘Shimti Pale Vankdi, have been appreciated by readers.
His assignment with the Government of India’s central department has kept him away from public functions of Konkani cultural activities. However, his four decades of assiduous and constant work makes him the ‘hidden giant’ of Konkani literature. He is one among the rare breed of Konkani writers whose work has been found worthwhile for translation into Kannada and Hindi languages.
The high-profile DAJI DUBAI LITERARY PUROSKAR 2012 would be presented and bestowed to HEROLPIUS during DAIJI-DUBAI annual day celebrations in Dubai on April 20, 2012. Daiji Dubai is a forum of prominent and dominant group of Konkani writers based in Dubai.