Mangaluru: The Konkani Kutam, Bahrain organised an award ceremony on July 28 here at the St Sebastian Church Hall, Bendore. During the occasion, the 17th Konkani Kutam, Bahrain Award was bestowed upon well-known Konkani-Kannada scholar and columnist, Fr Prashant Madtha.
Jayanth Kaikini, an eminent Kannada writer and poet, was the Chief Guest for the occasion and felicitated the awardee with a shawl and a memento. Melvyn Rodrigues, an eminent Konkani poet and writer, was the Guest of Honour. He handed over the citation to Fr Madtha. Convener of the Konkani Kutam, Bahrain, Richard Moras, gave Fr Madtha a cheque for Rs 50,000 as the prize money.
In his address, Jayant Kaikini wished Fr Madtha and appreciated him for being a free thinker. “We should open ourselves if we want to become creative. Free thinking leads to a better life. Fr Madtha has never restricted his thoughts to one subject or ideology. His book is all about his way of thinking,” he said.
Melvyn Rodrigues, who also spoke on the occasion said, “In literature, confidence and dedication is important for a writer to become successful. Fr Madtha is a role model for our writers as he took many years to prepare ‘Thesar’. That is proof of his dedication and commitment. The right candidate has been chosen for this prestigious award.”
Fr Madtha, in his speech, thanked all those who helped and supported him in his literary work. “I am grateful to all the priests in my congregation and my wellwishers for their support in my work,” he said.
Leslie Rego compered the programme, Richard Moras briefed the gathering about the work of Konkani Kutam Bahrain, CJS Tacode introduced Fr Madtha. Titus Noronha escorted the dignitaries to the dais and Vithori Karkal welcomed the dignitaries and the gathering. William Pais delivered a vote of thanks.
About Fr Prashant Madtha
Fr Prashant Madtha, a Jesuit priest from Mangaluru, was born in Sullia. He has written many works in Kannada as well as in Konkani. ‘Padanidhi’, the first-ever Kannada Thesaurus, is something he most proud achievement.
Also known as ‘Wordsmith’, ‘Second Kittel’ and ‘Roget of Kannada’, Fr Madtha is an accomplished orator and holds a master’s degree in Kannada with the first rank and 3 gold medals. He also served as a lecturer, principal and director at St Aloysius College, Mangaluru and St Joseph’s College, Bengaluru.
Fr Madtha also introduced Konkani as the second language for degree courses in St Aloysius College, for which the Mangalore University granted affiliation on July 24, 1996. Under Fr Madtha, St Aloysius became the first and only college in Karnataka to introduce Konkani as a subject. The exams for this were conducted by the Mangalore University. Those students who opted for Konkani Literature as their second language were even giver special scholarships.
India Today’s weekly magazine featured Fr Prashant Madtha in their ’50 Pioneers of Change’ list in the year 2008.
Fr Madtha has written such books as Veera Virakta, Kristhana Anukarane, Savira Hoovugalu Aralali, Ninnanthe Naanagalu, Saanidhya and Kannada Padanidhi (Kannada Thesaurus of synonyms and antonyms – 2007 reprinted in 2008) in Kannada. In Konkani, he has written books such as Kittallam, Rattavoll, Konkani Pikollim (10,000 Konkani idioms) and Konkani Thesar.
He has also written a book in English titled ‘On Eagle’s Wings’ which is about the 125 years of rich history of St Aloysius College, Mangaluru.
