Pundalik Nayak honoured with ‘Vimala V. Pai Jeevan-Siddhi Samman’

Panaji :
Renowned Konkani writer and dramatist Pundalik Narayan Nayak has been conferred the Smt. Vimala V. Pai Jeevan-Siddhi Samman 2025 for his lifetime contribution to Konkani literature, theatre, and cultural unification.

The award, instituted by the Vimala V. Pai Vishwa Konkani Bhasha Samvardhan Prathisthan (VKBSP), was announced in Mangaluru earlier last week. It recognises Mr. Nayak’s pioneering work in enriching the Konkani language and his leadership in the Konkani unification movement that brought together diverse sections of society.

Though Mr. Nayak could not attend the main ceremony held in Mangaluru on November 1 due to unavoidable circumstances, a special felicitation was organised at his residence in Volvoi, Goa, by VKBSP. The event was held under the direction of VKBSP President Nandagopal Shenoy and the guidance of the Board of Trustees, and was coordinated by Dr. Kiran Budkuley, Vice-President of VKBSP, along with Uday Mhambro and Harekal Pundalik Pai.

Prominent figures from Goa’s literary and theatre fraternity attended the intimate ceremony, including Sahitya Akademi Award winner Hema Nayak, Poetess Nutan Sakhardande, poet and former VKBSP awardee Uday Mhambro, theatre personality Shridhar Kamat Bambolkar, costume designer Geeta Kamat Bambolkar, playwright Yugank Nayak, Hiru Narayan Nayak, and librarian-actor Sukanti Nayak, among others.

Speaking on behalf of VKBSP, Dr. Budkuley highlighted Mr. Nayak’s contributions across poetry, fiction, drama, prose, and translation, as well as his mentoring of young writers from diverse backgrounds. She recalled his leadership of Konkani Prajecho Awaz during the 555-day agitation that culminated in the recognition of Konkani as Goa’s official language, and his tenure as Chairperson of the Goa Konkani Akademi.

Mr. Bambolkar and other speakers lauded Mr. Nayak’s enduring influence on Goan theatre and social thought, describing the award as a fitting recognition of his lifelong commitment to the Konkani cause.

Expressing gratitude through a video message and later in person, Mr. Nayak thanked VKBSP and the wider Konkani community for the honour. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks to the Prathisthan, award sponsors, and the literary and cultural representatives who attended the event, celebrating the eminent author’s distinguished career.