Media Release
Manglauru, Mar 27: Konkani Writers and Artistes’ Association® (KWAA) is organizing a literary dialogue ‘Face to Face', with Chicago based Konkani writer, dramatist and social worker Dr Austin D Souza Prabhu on April 1. The programme will be held at Gallerie Orchid, 2nd floor, Empire Mischief Mall, K S Rao Road between 4 pm and 6 pm. It is organized with the objective of honouring Dr Austin D Souza Prabhu in recognition for his service to his motherland and mother language despite being based in Chicago, USA for many decades. Walter Nandalike, founder and editor-in-chief of Daijiworld.com who is also a short story writer, will preside over the function and felicitate Dr Austin D Souza Prabhu on behalf of Mangalurean Konkani community.
On the same occasion a book 'Gorjek Podoth', a collection of short stories by the president of KWAA Sikeram Surathkal (Ronald J Sequeira) will be released. The programme is open to the general public to participate in the dialogue with Dr Austin, said a press release issued by Florine Roche, secretary of KWAA.
About Dr Austin D Souza Prabhu
Dr Austin D Souza who hails from Nanthoor in the city, is a multitalented personality. In the 70’s and 80’s he created a record of sorts when he was the editing/publishing four Konkani periodicals at a time. He was the editor/publisher of periodicals such as 'Mithr' a Konkani weekly, 'Kannik', a Konkani fortnightly, 'Jhello 'and 'Amcho Yuvak', both Konkani monthly magazines. He was also a great organizer and worked in close coordination with Konkani stalwarts like G G Vasudeva Prabhu, Cha Fra D Costa, B V Baliga and Fr Mark Walder for the cause of Konkani. He played a key role in establishing the Kokani Bhasha Mandal in Karnataka and also in setting up the Karnataka Konkani Sahithya Academy. As the youth leader of Mangaluru diocese, he served as Central Council president of Catholic Youth Movement and is one of the founders of Kala Sampath, here.
'Ankwar Celly' (play, 1995), 'Aadosanthlin Phulam' (collection of poems, 2002) 'Mothiyan' (collection of quadruplets, 2004), Vajram (collection of drop poems, 2009) are some of the published works of Dr Austin D Souza Prabhu.
His play 'Ankwr Celly' won an award from Goa Konkani Bhasha Mandal. Apart from these ,Dr Austin has written a number of plays, radio plays, songs and articles on a variety of issues. Though based in Chicago he has been writing articles in Konkani and is a regular contributor of 'Kittall' literary website. His autobiography is published as a series on Kittall.
Dr Austin has been an outstanding leader and known for his dedicated service to Lionism spanning nearly three decades. In Chicago he served a Damayan Club as secretary, president, district governor and as vice council chairman and has been the recipient of 62 Melvyn Jones medals.