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Dubai, Dec 21: Noted Konkani poet and activist Melvyn Rodrigues has bagged the prestigious 2016 Daiji Dubai Literary Award. This was declared during Daiji Dubai general body meeting on December 17 in Dubai.

Melvyn Rodrigues was born at Derebail, Mangaluru, on July 8, 1962 to (the late) Charles and (the late) Theresa Rodrigues, in a family of 4 children, 2 girls and 2 boys. He had his primary education at Holy Family Higher Primary School, Derebail, and his high school studies in Padua High School, Mangaluru. After completing his pre-university studies at St Aloysius College, he acquired his BBM degree at SDM College, Mangaluru, and M A (sociology) degree from Mysore University. He is presently the director-operations of Daijiworld Media. Melvyn is married to Averyl and the couple is blessed with one son, Gavin Rodrigues.

Melvyn Rodrigues is highly admired and beloved in the field of Konkani literature. His service is second to none. One of the finest poets of this generation, Melvyn has a huge collection of books to his credit, notably, Bhesam Zallim Kalliz (novella), Moga Pello (collection of love poems), Kanni Zali Choli (translation of Kannada short stories of Yashwanta Chittala, publisher: Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi), Fintam (collection of poetry), Shabdulim (collection of essays), Vaatt (collection of poems), Dini Dini (lyricist and producer of music audio album), Prikriticho Paas (collection of poems), Vinchnnar Kavita (collection of selected poems) and Devi Ninkasi (collection of poetry). His translation of K.S. Narasimha Swamy’s Kannada poetry collection ’Tereda Bagilu’ is awaiting publication.

His edited work consists Kupam Pondlim Mukham (anthology of poems by 50 Konkani poets); Chindiyache Gombe (poems by Shabbeer Bayda); Kalllokantlim Kantaram (anthology of poems by 44 Konkani poets); 20 vea Shekddeachyo Konknni Kavita (Anthology of poems by 107 Konkani poets, publisher: Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy); Kovll’llea Pavlamchim Novlam (anthology of poems by 45 Konkani poets); Git ani Kavit (songs and lyrics by Wilfy Rebimbus, publisher: Goa Konkani Akademi); and A.T. Lobo -Ek Kavyall Jinn (poems and lyrics of A.T. Lobo).

Awards have followed him in quick succession. Winner of Konkani Basha Mandal – Goa Award in 1989, Konkani Kuttom Bahrain Award in 2006, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Award in 2006, Dr TMA Pai Foundation Award in 2009 and more recently Pandurang Bhangui award from Bimb Prakashan, Goa. Melvyn Rodrigues exerted his authority by winning Central Sahitya Akademi Award in 2011 for his book (collection of poems) Prikriticho Paas. Melvyn is founder president of Kavita Trust that was formed in 2006. He runs the website www.kavitaa.com dedicated to Konkani Poems that was started in 2001.

Highly prominent Daiji Dubai Literary Award 2016 will be presented to Melvyn Rodrigues during Daiji Dubai annual day celebrations in Dubai on April 8, 2016. He will get the prestigious award of Rs 75,000 along with a citation and certificate of honor.

Daiji Dubai is a forum of actively dominant group of Konkani writers based in Dubai providing yeoman service to Konkani language and literature for last sixteen years.