Dr. Jayanti Naik to be Interviewed by University of São Paulo

São Paulo/Goa :

In a significant literary event celebrating the richness of Konkani language and Goan folklore, noted translator and academic Augusto Pinto is scheduled to interview Dr. Jayanti Naik, acclaimed folklorist and fiction writer, on Wednesday, April 23. The virtual session will take place at 12 p.m. Brazil time (8:30 p.m. IST / 4 p.m. Portugal time), under the aegis of the Department of Classical and Vernacular Letters, Faculty of Philosophy, Letters and Human Sciences, University of São Paulo.

Dr. Jayanti Naik, a Sahitya Akademi Award-winning writer, is one of the foremost voices in Konkani literature. She is also the first scholar from Goa to be awarded a Ph.D. for her pioneering research in Goan folklore, making her a pathbreaking figure in the field of cultural and linguistic studies.

A prolific author and researcher, Dr. Naik has made substantial contributions to the preservation and promotion of Goa’s intangible heritage through both academic and creative work. Her literary oeuvre, marked by evocative portrayals of Goan village life and oral traditions, has been widely celebrated in India and abroad.

The upcoming conversation will focus on her short story collection The Salt of the Earth, originally written in Konkani and translated into English by Mr. Pinto. Participants have been invited to read an excerpt from the book, along with a preface and afterword by the translator. A critical article by Dr. Naik on the linguistic landscape of Goa has also been circulated in advance to enrich the discussion.

Dr. Naik’s enduring commitment to the Konkani language and Goan identity continues to inspire scholars, writers, and readers. The session is expected to draw academics, students, and enthusiasts of Indian languages and literature from across the globe.