Dears,
The very first Jnanpith award for a KONKANI writer has gone to a life time of
work by the son of Cuncolim, Shri Ravindra Kelekar [not to be confused with
Shri Gurunath Kelekar of Margao]. He shares the award with Prof Satya Vrat
Shashtri for Sanskrit, also for the first time.
CONGRATULATIONS to Xri Ravindra Kelekar, an associate of the Benaulim-based Xri
Correia Afonso, the founder of Konkani Bhasha Mandal.
Mog asundi.
Miguel
Jnanpith award for Kelekar
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 22
Noted Konkani litterateur Ravindra Kelekar was today named for Jnanpith award —
country’s highest literary award — bringing joy to the Konkani world as this is
the first time the prestigious award has gone to Konkani language and also the
first time to a Goan writer.
According to reports reaching here, Kelekar has been named for the award
jointly with a Sanskrit scholar Dr Satveet Shashtri.
A Gandhian, Kelekar devoted his entire life for Konkani literature. He has
penned several literary works some of the well-known ones include – Ashe
Axil’le Gandhiji, Amchi Bhas Konknich, Himalayant, Kaledioscope, Tataghat,
Uzvadecho Sur, Vellevoilo Ghullo, etc. He also has many translations to his
credit.
The prestigious award was announced today by Bharatiya Jnanpith Trust for the
year 2006.
Kelekar was in a clinic undergoing some treatment when the good news came from
New Delhi. He reportedly said that the award is a fitting reply to those who
maintained that Konkani is a dialect.
In June this year, Kelekar was honoured with the prestigious
Padmabhusan award.
CONGRATULATIONS: Chief Minister Digambar Kamat congratulated Kelekar for
getting the prestigious award saying he has brought a great honour and pride to
Goans.
He said Kelekar participated in Goa’s freedom movement and worked tirelessly
towards promotion of Konkani language.
Rajya Sabha MP and President of All India Konkani Parishad Shantaram Naik has
in a statement issued Saturday evening from Jalgao Maharashtra, congratulated
Kelekar for being a proud recipient of Jnanpith award.
Kelekarbab is not only a literary figure but also a thinker and philosopher who
never toed the line of expecting opinion in a routine manner but always
expressed himself in a way which make people think about this thoughts and
ideas, Naik said.
Through Ravindrabab, Konkani has reached high pedestal and glory, Naik further
said adding that potentiality of Konkani language has once again become
transparent and crystal-clear now.
BJP also congratulated Kelekar. He has made Goans very proud, spokesman and
Fatorda MLA Damu Naik said.
The award includes Rs 5 lakh, a citation plaque and a bronze replica of
Vagdevi, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music and arts. Prior to 1982, the
awards were given for a single work by a writer. Since then, it is for a
lifetime contribution to Indian literature. Kannada writers have won seven
awards, followed by six for Hindi, four for Malayalam, three for Marathi and
three for Urdu. Other languages include Asomi, Oriya, Kashmiri and now, Konkani.
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