Dr. T.M.A. Pai Sahitya Prashansa Puraskar for Uday Mhambre and R.S. Bhaskar
Panaji: Renowned Konkani writers Uday Mhambre and Sahitya Academy Winner Poet R.S. Bhaskar have been named recipients of the ‘Sahitya Prashnsa’ awards for 2023, instituted by the Dr. T.M.A. Pai Foundation, Mangaluru. Each award carries a cash prize of ₹10,000 and a citation.
Mr. Mhambre has been honoured for his memoir Kalij Usavalan, a work that has resonated deeply with readers and earned recognition from several literary bodies, including the Ramesh Veluskar Memorial Award of the Konkani Bhasha Mandal last year.
Mr. Bhaskar, a Sahitya Akademi award-winning poet from Kerala and a prominent voice in Konkani literature in the country, has been awarded for his poetry collection Chaitrapalavi, which has drawn wide appreciation since publication.
Expressing gratitude, Mr. Mhambre said: “I am happy that the memories of my childhood, narrated in the book, have struck a chord with readers. Receiving the Dr. T.M.A. Pai Prashna Puraskar makes this journey even more special. I remain grateful to my readers and the Foundation.”
Meanwhile, Kalij Usavalan – Mhaje Nadarentalyan, a volume of critical essays and readers’ responses to Mr. Mhambre’s work, edited by Kashinath Nayak, was recently released by Sanjana Publications. The memoir’s Malayalam translation was launched earlier this year in Kochi by Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar, while a Marathi edition is scheduled for release by Sahit Prakashan in October.
