'Khadap Sahithik Bhandar' - Laudable effort to preserve VJP’s literary treasure
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Aug 20: The late Vincent John Peter Saldanha, popularly known by his acronym V J P Saldanha, has made significant contribution to Konkani literature as a dramatist, novelist, short story writer, poet, litterateur, journalist and musician. He wrote under his penname “Khadap” and has left behind a rich treasure-trove of Konkani literature to posterity. Though he is no more, he still lives in the hearts and minds of people through his literature. His writings have greatly enriched Konkani literature and have inspired many Konkani writers. Sadly, his literature is not easily accessible for the connoisseurs of his writings who want to relish his mastery over Konkani language along with the strong Konkani identity that mirrored in his writings. Even if people want to buy and read his classics the copies of his books are not easily available.
To overcome this lacuna and to make his literature available to a wider section of the population, Konkani Bhas ani Sanskriti Prathishtan, World Konkani Centre, shouldered the responsibility of making his literature easily available to those who wish to get a taste of his writings. As a result of their efforts, the first transliterated version of his novel “Saiba Bhogos” from Kannada to Devanagiri by Averyl and Melvyn Rodrigues is ready for release on August 23, 2013 at a function titled “Khadap Sahitik Bhandar” (literary treasure of Khadap) to be held at St Sebastian Platinum Jubilee hall Bendoor at 6.15 pm. There will also be a symposium on VJP’s literature and eminent Konkani writers will present papers on his literature to give people foretaste of his literary works. The audience will also get an opportunity to savour a few glimpses of his plays and songs, during this event.
Dr Kiran Budkuley, associate professor of English, Goa University will be the chief guest on the occasion and Basti Vaman Shenoy, President of Konkani Bhas and Sanskriti Prathishtan will preside over the function.
The programme is being organised by Karavali Konkans (R), Mangalore.
Son’s Cherished Dream
VJP’s son Ransom Saldanha is quite elated to see his dreams becoming a reality. He remembers and recalls that when he was young, people often used to come to their home saying they wanted to buy his father's book or set of books to read. But they had to go back empty handed and many of them were crestfallen when they could not get a copy of the book they wanted.
Ransom points out “I was young those days and did not understand the seriousness or the importance of my father’s literature. I could do nothing those days and now when I want to do something my dad is not there. But I thought reprinting some of his classics would be the best way for me to make his literature available to a large section of the populace. I just wanted to ensure that his books get reprinted so that they are available to people who want to read them”.
Poet and Konkani Sahitya Academy award winner Melvyn Rodrigues who is an ardent devotee of VJP’s literature had suggested the idea of translating his books into other languages to make his literature available to a larger section of the society. Once this idea gained momentum Melvyn also took the initiative of transliterating “Saiba Bhogos”. It was less than a year ago the subject of transliteration was first discussed and Ransom says “I am delighted to see my dreams becoming a reality in such a short span of time. Now a beginning has been made with this book and I will be the happiest person if all his great novels get transliterated or translated”.
Ransom who is working in the gulf has come on a month’s vacation to coincide with the function organized in honour of his father. He expresses his gratefulness to people like Averyl and Melvyn Rodrigues and Leslie Rego for taking up the initiative and says “this is the least I could do to my father who is no more. This way his literature can be preserved and spread”.
Leslie Rego, explains “VJP belonged to Bendur parish and had the occasion to work with VJP’s son Ransom Saldanha. Ransom had a burning desire to preserve his father’s literary treasure and approached me. Melvyn Rodrigues took the responsibility of transliterating “Saiba Bhogos” into Devanagiri. The whole idea took concrete shape and we have come up with “Khadap Sahithik Bhandar” event. We are proud of VJP’s contribution to the field of Konkani art and Literature and want it to be known far and wide”.
VJP’s novel “Saiba Bhogos” (forgive o god), gives a vivid picture of Goa inquisition and the oppression of Goan Hindus and Catholics by the Portuguese after Inquisition was imposed in 1560. Needless to say the book won accolades and critical acclaim to VJP. Melvyn Rodrigues who took up the responsibility of transliteration says: “Once I had taken up the responsibility and since there was no one to do the nagari typesetting referring to Kannada original text, I had to do it myself and later I sought my wife Averyl's help. It was difficult initially but we picked once we got used to it. Though we did the typing in Baraha we had to convert it to Shree Lipi font as baraha is not suitable for printing”, says Melvyn recalling the challenges he had initially in transliterating the book.
Pic of Press Conference Held on Aug 21, 2013
Fruitful Exercise
As they say the fruit of hard labour is sweet and despite giving considerable time for reading, typing, proof reading, at the end of the day Melvyn says "it is a fruitful exercise despite giving lot of time”. They have typed and kept 3 more books in the series and feel that with Konkanverter of Guru Baliga of World Konkani Centre transliteration in future will not be much of a problem. Melvyn says he is thankful to Basti Vaman Shenoy, President of Konkani Bhas ani Sanskriti Prathishtan for coming forward to print the books. “The cost of printing each book is about Rs. 60,000/- and for five books the budget would be about Rs. 3 lakhs and this has been possible because of the magnanimity of Basti maam”, Melvyn points out.
The symposium which forms an important part of the event ‘Khadap Sahitik Bhandar” will be presided over by senior Konkani writer Valli Vagga. Eminent Konkani writers Edwin J F D Souza, Dr Edward Nazareth and Hanumanth Chopdekar will present papers in the symposium. It is indeed a laudable effort to preserve and make VJP’s literary treasure available to discerning readers of Konkani literature beyond the boundaries of undivided Dakshina Kannada district who too can relish his language which is terse yet pleasing and controlled and can be read with effortless ease.