Mumbai: Konkani Poet J B Moraes is no more

Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Dec 30: Winner of Sahitya Akademi award for his book "Bhitorlem Tufan" in the year 1985, John Baptist Moraes, popularly known as J B Moraes passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at his residence in Chembur, Mumbai. He was 82.

He has left behind his wife Justin Matilda and sons Merwyn, Joseph, Hector and Peter.

Born in 1933 in Kallamundkur, Niddodi near Mangalore Moraes received the Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar in 1990 and Sandesha Prathistan Literary Award in the year 2000.

He has written a monograph of the great Konkani poet C.F. DeCosta for the Sahitya Akademi under the series 'Makers of Indian Literature'. He has also translated History of Kannada Literature for Sahitya Akademi. As a journalist, Moraes has a long experience of over 45 years in working with the various Konkani periodicals. He was once the editor of 'Divo' Konkani weekly which gets published from Mumbai.

Moraes was elected President of the 19th Session of the All India Konkani Parishad held in Madgaon in January 1993. Moraes was instrumental in reviving the oldest representative body of Konkanis “Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Mumbai’, in 1992. He was its General Secretary. He was a member of the General Council and Konkani Advisory Board of the Sahitya Akademi. He was also Convener of the Konkani Advisory Committee of the Bharatiya Jnanpith.

His has published numerous books. Popular among them are 'Novi Vhokal' (poetry, 1977), 'Ek Dhent, Ek Paan' (poetry, 2002), 'Koshedd'dan kelli khun' (short stories, 1980), 'George Fernandes (biography, 1999), 'Romeo-Juliet' (Transalted Play, 1954), 'Sopann Parki Zuze' (Play, 2002), 'Putipharachi Bail (Verse, 1990), 'Mongllurchim Ujwal Ratnam' (Life Sketches , 1983), Nisralleak Lotun Ghalo (Adapted novel, 1976), 'Zorlo Gomes' (Adapted Story, 1987), 'Bolpyam Modhli Sheli' (Adapted Novel, 1977), 'Novem Poinn' (Translated poetry, 2001) etc.

J B Moraes, had completed SSLC at Pompeii High School, Talipady in his native during 1951 and migrated to metro in the same year and joined Park Davis Pharmaceuticals as junior clerk. He retired from his service as regional depot manager in 1992.

Literary contributions:

He founded Konkani Prachar Mandal while study in high school owing to his great love for literature. He had published handwritten copies of Konkani monthly, besides published a few Konkani books in order to teach Konkani to the children.

His first book was Konkani translation of Shakespeare’s play – Romeo Juliet that was published in 1954. He wrote his first poetry –Navi Vakal- and his first play ‘Kosheddhan Kelli Khun’ that was published in 1980 bagged prize from Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Goa. His second poetry –Bitarlen Tufan’ that was published in 1984 bagged Central Sahitya Academy award.

He has translated ‘Kannada Sahitya Charitre’ book authored by Mugali into English which was published by Sahitya Akademi. He also translated ‘Bommana Gudi’ authored by renowned Kannada novelist Dr Shivaram Karant. His collection of poetical plays ‘Putifarachi Bail’ was published in Goa. An anthology of veteran of Konkani literature ‘ Manglurchin Ujwal Ratnam’ was published in 1998. He wrote autobiography George Fernandes, true son of Mangalore in Konkani as ‘George Fernandesachi Ek sahasi Jeen.’ His literature was broadcasted by metro’s All India Radio (AIR) during poetry session, seminar and story telling.

His in-depth English article ‘Masterpieces of Indian Literature’ based on Konkani’s greatest poets Louis Mascarenhas and Cha Fra D’Costa was published by National Book Trust. His chosen poems translation has been published by American Anthology of Poetry and Indian Literature. It has been translated in Hindi and Kannada as well.

He has authored Konkani literature in Karnataka that was incorporated in the ‘History of Konkani Literature’ anthology by Dr Manohar Sardesai, which was published by Sahitya Academy. He has partaken in several Konkani and multi-lingual poet’s convention. Sahitya Academy has published ‘Bharatia Sahityada Nirmapakaru’ Kannada book that was authored by J B Moraes based on the lifetime literary contributions of Cha Fra D’Costa.

As Konkani activist:

He has played key role in reviving Konkani Basha Mandal – Mumbai in 1992. He was instrumental in organizing the golden jubilee celebrations of Konkani Bhasha Mandal in 1993 and Akhil Bharat Konkani Parishat in 1992. He was organizing writers and poets training camp both in metro and in Mangalore. He tried through Konkani Bhasha Mandal in order to set up Konkani Bhavan in metro and Konkani Academy in Maharashtra.

As Dramatist and translator:

He is the playwright of 3 plays and donned role in 2 plays. He has authored 3 poetic plays based on Bible. He has directed one play. He donned a key role in a play on the late Cha Fra D’Costa. His one such play was broadcast as musical play in AIR. He has translated a few novels of Sherlock Homes into Konkani.

As Journalist:

He was the founder editor of ‘Konkan Daiz’ journal that was established in 1948. He was the editor of ‘Konkan Daiz’ monthly that was published in 1958. He was part of editorial board of ‘Poinnari’ Konkani weekly from 1964 to 1976. He was the founder editor of ‘Divo’ Konkani illustrated weekly. He also served as editor of ‘Konkani Saad’ bulletin of Konkani Bhasha Mandal. He has presented paper on Konkani journalism and the difficulties during the first World Konkani Sammelan. He has authored the five-decades of history of Bhasha Mandal during the golden jubilee celebration in 1992.

Honors and Awards:

Central Sahitya Academy conferred award to Moraes for his book ‘Bitarlen Tufan’ poetry collection in 1985. He was accorded state honor in 1990. Dr T M A Pai Foundation – Manipal conferred top book Award for the autobiography of Geroge Fernandes. Mangalore based Sandesha Foundation conferred Sandesha Award in 2001. He also bagged Daiji Dubai literary Award in 2005. 'Divo’ Konkani illustrated weekly that is published from metro, conferred Lifetime Achievement Award to Moraes.

Service record and posts:

He was the chairman of nineteenth convention of Akhila Bharatiya Konkani Parishat during 1992. He served as member in advisory Committee of Konkani Sahitya Academy. He served as honorary chief secretary in Konkani Bhasha Mandal from 1992 to 1995. He served as regional secretary during World Konkani Sammelan in 1995.