Prof. Kasturi Mohan Pai Wins Dr. T.M.A. Pai Best Konkani Book Award 2023
Manipal: Celebrated Konkani writer Prof. Dr. Kasturi Mohan Pai has been awarded the Dr. T.M.A. Pai Best Konkani Book Award 2023 for his acclaimed novel Mahaprasthan, published in 2022. The honour, instituted by the Dr. T.M.A. Pai Foundation, Manipal, carries a cash prize of ₹25,000 and a certificate of appreciation.
Mahaprasthan, meaning “The Great Migration,” is a sweeping work of historical fiction that narrates the 16th-century migration of the Konkani community from Goa during the Portuguese Inquisition. Written in Devanagari script and presented in two volumes, the novel has been widely praised in literary circles for its narrative depth, historical research, and philosophical undercurrents. It explores themes of exile, cultural memory, resilience, and the journey of the self, weaving together personal experiences and collective histories. Critics have described it as a significant milestone in contemporary Konkani fiction, combining lyrical prose with intellectual inquiry.
In addition to the Best Book Award, the Foundation also announced two Merit Awards of ₹10,000 each. The recipients are R.S. Bhaskar of Kochi, Kerala, for his 2020 poetry collection Chaitra Kavita, and Uday Narasimha Mhambre of Valpoi–Ponda, Goa, for his 2021 essay collection Kalij Usavalam.
Notably, all three award-winning books have been published by Sanjana Publications, Sanguem, Goa.
The annual awards, established in memory of educationist and philanthropist Dr. T.M.A. Pai, seek to encourage excellence in Konkani writing across regions and genres.
Speaking on the recognition, literary peers described Prof. Pai’s novel as “a landmark contribution that enriches Konkani literature with both emotional resonance and intellectual depth.”
