Media Release

Panaji, Feb 24: Dalgado Konkani Akademi (DKA) hosted a presentation by distinguished Konkani writer Fr Vasco Do Rego, SJ, in their “Borovpiak Bhett” (Meet the Writer) series, at Tiatr Academy Goa’s Conference Hall, here.

Fr Vasco Do Rego, SJ, currently the editor of the oldest Konkani magazine, 'Dor Mhoineachi Rotti', was responsible for giving Konkani more than its due in religious literature, in Goa. Fr Rego spoke about his tryst with Konkani writing. The soft spoken, humble Jesuit was responsible for the Mass  which came to be said in Konkani for the first time (after the Second Vatican Council) in Goa and Pune. He has also
penned down other major books in Konkani. For the first time, he opened up information regarding his love for people, which led him to learn languages as perfectly as possible. Konkani, of course, is certainly the major beneficiary of Fr Vasco's social consciousness and endeavours.

Fr Vasco, who also penned down lyrics for first Konkani carols, shared his experience of being humbled in Belgium as there were no carols in Konkani to be presented. Today, the 'Gayonancho Jhelo', a book of Konkani hymns which consists of around 518 hymns includes more than 333 hymns of Fr Rego.

Konkani writers Tomazinho Cardozo, Fr Manuel Gomes, J P Fernandes, Pio Esteves, Nevena Furtado, Selza Lopes, Fr Ave Maria Afonso and others were present for the function. Besides cyber journalist Frederick Noronha, writers namely Dr Rafael Fernandes, Minguel Braganza and Jason Keith Fernandes were also seen among the audience.

DKA president Premanand Lotlikar and DKA secretary Jose Salvador Fernandes among others were present.