Mangalore, Aug 22: Famous Konkani lyricist, poet and writer Wilson Roshan Sequeira, who writes under the pen name Wilson Kateel, was awarded the Leo Rodrigues Family Kittall Yuva Puraskar 2016 in a ceremony held at Orchid Art Gallery in city on Saturday August 20.
Abu Dhabi based N R I Entrepreneur and philanthropist Leo Rodrigues has instituted this award and the award carries a purse of Rs 25,000 and a citation.
Presenting the Award Leo Rodrigues said “ During our days there was very little recoginition and support to the konkani writers and artists. When I was young I wrote a story and due to lack of support I almost gave up writing. Today Konkani Writers and Artists not only get recognition but also good support from the state as well as associations and individuals. H M Pernal and the Advisory Board of Kittall is doing a great job and I am impressed with their selection every year. Some four years back Mr. Canute Pinto introduced Kittall and put forward the idea of sponsoring Kittall Youth Award every year in the name of my family. Year after year Kittall recognizing and honoring deserving young writers and I am proud of Wilson Kateel and admire his writings. Last year I have suggested to increase the award money from Rs.10,000/- to Rs.25,000/- . I have said this earlier and confirm here again that instead of one Kittall can think of honoring two every year. I assure till I am alive I will sponsor these awards. With the same zeal and enthusiasm continue your good work, my support is always there”
Kittall Advisory Board Member William Pais welcomed the guests and briefed about Kittall Vision and Mission.
In his award acceptance speech Wilson Kateel said “ Some writers may say that they were inspired to write in konknai by reading some konkani periodicals, But I was inspired by my grandmother and her fluent konkani. We used to sell beetle leaves in the market and you can find the fragrance of these leaves in my writings.”
“ I was very influenced by Wilfy Rebimbus and his immortal songs. I always dreamt to write like Wilfy Rebimbus and when I started writing he told me that I write well. And I was touched by these compliments. I thank Kittall Jury for this award which will always be special to me." Wilson added.
Chairman, Jury Mr. Titus Noronha introduced Wilson Kateel to the gathering. Advisory Board Member Mr. Daya Victor Lobo read the Citation.
Wilson Kateel was honored with a shawl, garland, fruit basket, citation and cheque of Rs.25,000/- Mrs Laveena Rodrgigues and MLC and Chief Whip in Karnataka Legislative Council Mr. Ivan D Souza were present on the dais.
Mr Ivan D Souza was felicitated with a bouquet of flowers by Chief Guest Leo Rodrigues on the occasion.
In his Presendetial address Advisory Board Member and CMD of Rohan Corporation said “ I cannot contribute anything to Konkani language in terms of literature, but I can support them, which I am doing. There are very few organizations like Kittall which honour the deserving and provide the platform for their writings."
In the second part of the programme Professor and Head of the Department of Urology, Kasturba Medical College, Dr G G Lakshman Prabhu delivered a lecture on the subject “ Konkani Movemeent – My experience – My Vision “
In an enlightening, entertaining, intellectual speech Dr. Prabhu said " When I was a boy, eminent writers like Baliga Maam, V J P Saldanha and K K Pai struggled hard for Konkani language and they also had the challenge to keep up their writings. And it is because of their efforts; today Konkani has achieved greater heights."
"We write Konkani in various scripts and speak in different dialects. Hence there is a confusion to understand each other when the Konkani speaking people from different communities speak. Hence to solve this we need to standardize the language and its literature." he added.
HM Pernal proposed vote of thanks and compered the programme.
Vishwa Konkani Sardar Basti Waman Shenoy, Konkan Myna Meena Rebimbus, Yodling King Melvyn Peris, Singer / Actor Joseph Mathais, Film Producer Frank Fernades, Thottam, Film Actor/ Director Pradeep Barboza, Paladka, Entrepreneur / Philanthropist Eric Correa, PRO of Dioceses of Mangalore Marcel Monterio, Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh President Anil Lobo, Fermai , MCC Bank Chairman Francis Cutinho and many Senior writers and artists were present on the occasion.
About Wilson Kateel
Wilson Kateel has written more than 400 poems, ten short stories and a number of essays and established himself as a Konkani writer of repute. Having written more than 100 lyrics for Konkani albums, movies, drama and serials, he has won three consecutive Global Konkani Music Awards.
He has four published works to his credit - 'Pavle' (Kavita Publications, 2011) 'Peek ani Deek' (Pragati Press, 2014) 'Tasveenth' (poems to artist Wilson Kayyar's photography, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Publication, 2015) and 'Paklyo' (published by Dhyanavana Prakashana, 2015). He has participated in a number of poetry reciting sessions, All India Radio, Doordarshan, Sahitya Academy and Mysore Dasara Poetry reciting being notable among them.
The Youth Award is instituted by Kittall.com, a premier Konkani literary web portal with H M Pernal, being its editor. The award is sponsored by NRI businessman Leo Rodrigues and his family.
Prior to this, Fr Jo Cy Siddakatte (2012) Wilma, Bantwal (2013), Stany, Bela (2014) and Melwyn Kolalgiri (2015) have received the award.
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