Media Release

Kuwait, Dec 15: Well-known Konkani poet Henry Mendonca, Pernal (known as HM Pernal) has been selected as the 'Daaiz Poet of the Year - 2006' in the online poetry contests 'Tinteranth Pinturam conducted by daaiz.com.  The award includes certificate and a cash prize of Rs 7,500. The award will be conferred during Daaiz Literary workshop in 2007. 

H M Pernal

Reputed Konkani poets Cyril Sequeira (CGS Taccode), Melvyn Rodrigues (editor of kavitaa.com), Andrew L D' Cunha, Lloyd Rego (editor, Mithr Weekly) and Valley Quadras (editor - daaiz.com) were in the panel of judges.  They had a huge challenge to pick up the best poem among the 155 poems published in the 12 episodes of 'Tinteranth Pinturam'. More than 30 poets from all over the world had participated in this unique contest. Selected poems published on this column will be published in the form of a book 'Tinteranth Pinturam' which will be published by Ashawadi Prakashan in 2007.

H M Mendonca:
Henry Mendonca has been writing poetry from last 25 years, his three anthologies 'Chaleank Chatray' (Warning to the boys), 'Kaydyachyo Kovitha' (Prisoner's poems), 'Bamunnanchem Cheddum' (Brahman girl) have been published. His poems have been published in various magazines, websites and books. A review on his anthologies and a study on his poetries has been conducted in Kavithapaatt by daaiz.com. He has won many prizes for his poems which include 'Kannik Kovi', Daaiz literary competition 2005 and Rakhnno literary competitions. Apart from writing poetry, he also writes short stories and critiques. Henry Mendonca was also was the Poet of the Month award in the very first episode of this column. The other poets who have been the ‘Poets of the month' in the following editions are:

Episode 2: Anil D'Souza Pernal, Muscat
Episode 3: Maxim Lobo, Italy
Episode 4: Wilson Saldanha Kateel, Mangalore
Episode 5: Melwin Castelino Pernal, Mangalore
Episode 6: Prasann Niddodi, Mumbai
Episode 7: Wilfred Lobo Padil, Mangalore
Episode 8: Vincy Pinto Anjelore, Dubai
Episode 9: Avina Miyar, Mysore
Episode 10: Nandini, Mangalore
Episode 11: Robert Fernandes Udyavar, Dubai
Episode 12: Arthur Roshan Pereira Omzoor, Dubai   

Daaiz has already announced its new online poetry-writing contest 'Utranth Sutram' for the year 2007. More details could be availed at www.daaiz.com or contact daaiz@daaiz.com.