Pundalik Naik, Bhalchandra Gaonkar, Shashikant Punaji Honoured with Vimala V. Pai Awards
Panaji:
The Famous Konkani writers, Pundalik Naik, Bhalchandra Gaonkar, and Shashikant Punaji have been honoured with the Vimala V. Pai Vishwa Konkani Awards by the World Konkani Centre, Mangaluru. The awards recognise outstanding contributions to Konkani literature across different genres.
Veteran author and playwright Pundalik Naik received the Vimala V. Pai Vishwa Konkani Jivan Siddhi Sanman, a lifetime achievement award carrying a cash prize of ₹1 lakh and a citation. The honour acknowledges his extensive contribution to Konkani literature, theatre, and cultural life. Naik, one of the most influential figures in contemporary Konkani writing, has been credited with shaping the post-Liberation literary landscape of Goa.
Bhalchandra Gaonkar was conferred the Vimala V. Pai Vishwa Konkani Sahitya Kruti Puraskar for his acclaimed novelette Panvat. The award, which also carries a cash prize of ₹1 lakh and a citation, recognises Gaonkar’s creative depth and his portrayal of social and moral themes in modern Konkani prose.
Poet Shashikant Punaji received the Vimala V. Pai Vishwa Konkani Kavita Kruti Puraskar for his contributions to contemporary Konkani poetry. His works, noted for their lyrical expression and social awareness, have enriched the poetic tradition of the language.
The Vimala V. Pai Vishwa Konkani Awards, instituted by the World Konkani Centre, aim to encourage literary excellence and cultural preservation in Konkani.
The awards highlight the continuing vitality of Konkani literature and its diverse creative voices representing the cultural and linguistic richness of Goa and the wider Konkani-speaking community.
