Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala (MS)
Mangaluru, Feb 3: Poet Maurice Maurice D'Sa also known as Maurice Shanthipura has been conferred with the Mathias Family Poetry Award of the year 2020 which is given by Kavita Trust. This award carries a cash price of Rs 25,000, a memento and certificate.
The decision to confer the award on Maurice was taken on the online meeting that was held on January 31 by Kavita Trust. Names were suggested by representatives of various Konkani organizations. Earlier, this award is conferred on 12 poets. Mauice D'Sa is the 13th poet to receive this award.
Maurice was born in 1970 at Hirgan in Karkal taluk. He lived for many years in Pamboor of Udupi district. He resides at Milagres of Mangaluru at present. 'Kira Bonch' and 'Bhingari' are his collection of poems. Maurice, who has written more than 300 poems, has edited 'Abolim' compilation of poems for Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy.
Maurice has also helped many Konkani poets to publish their collection of poems. He has inspired numerous poets to write poems when he was the editor for 'Umallo' and 'Kannik' periodicals. He has also conducted workshops on 'How to write poems?'
Maurice has organized many Konkani poetry recital functions. He has also presided over many poetry recital programmes. He has represented Konkani in national level programmes on Akashvani. He has also read poetry on television. He has also participated in discussions on poetry of Kendra Sahitya academy.
The work of Maurice D'Sa in the field of journalism is laudable. In addition to being the editor of newspapers like Umallo and Kannik, he has worked as co-editor of Raknno, editor of Amcho Yuvak and member of editorial board of Naman Ballok Jezu and Amar Konkani magazines.
Kannik Durbar, cultural programme that was organized under the leadership of Maurice was one of the important milestones of Konkani. He is also the founder of Akhil Karnataka Konkani Lekhak Sammel. He has also served as president of Konkani Writers' Forum and executive committee member of Konkani Bhasha Mandal Karnataka and Konkani Sahitya Parishad. He has also worked as the member of Konkani Advisory board of Sahitya Academy of Delhi.
Maurice also has the distinction to his credit of founding the first internet website Kannikonline.com and global radio. His compilation of poems 'Kira Bonch’ has received the late Louis Mascarenhas birth centenary award and Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Goa award. The first award of Konkani Kutam, Bahrain was conferred on him.
This award is given by Joseph Mathias of Kuppepadavu, who is the managing director of Merit Freight Systems, Dubai, in the name of his family. This award will be presented to Maurice D'Sa on Saturday February 20 at 4 pm at the 15th Kavita Fest that will be held at Vishwa Konkani Kendra under controlled number of audience. The programme will be presided over by renowned writer and speaker Titus Noronha. Basti Vaman Shenoy will be the chief guest.
On the occasion, 'Konkani Kavyem: Rupam ani Roopakam', a book of critical analysis of konkani poems by critic H M Pernal will be released. Prizes to the winners of Nelson and Lavina Rodricks, Cha Fra Decosta memorial Konkani poetry reciting competition will distributed during the occasion.