Media Release
Dubai, Dec 5: Noted Konkani novelist and short story writer H J Goveas has bagged the prestigious Daiji Dubai Literary Award 2017. This was announced during Daiji Dubai general body meeting on November 30 in Dubai.
Hilrod Joseph Goveas, presently living in Andheri, Mumbai, was born on April 22, 1956 at Kankanady, Mangaluru. A commerce graduate, he worked with Korean Embassy in Kuwait as commercial manager for 18 years. In 2002 he left Kuwait to join the family business and since then he is serving as an overseas market director.
H J Goveas' tryst with Konkani literature began in the early 1970s. His stories have been published in well-known Konkani periodicals such as Raknno, Poinnari, Sevak, Kutam, Dirvem, Mithr, Zhelo, Kannik, Kurov, Arso etc. His stories regularly appear in Konkani web portals like Kittall, Daaiz and Konkani Friends. A veteran of 29 novels and over 1,000 short stories, Goveas has lived through the changing times of Konkani literature by conceiving fiction for over 40 years with unflinching honesty, without expecting any awards and rewards. Continuity has been his hallmark.
In 2007, his Konkani novel 'Hanv Tuka Bogsunchi Na' was given Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Award. His other Konkani novel 'April 22' was translated into English and published by The Secular Citizen with the title 'Betrayer'. His first novel in Konkani was 'Yetaan Tuji Vaat Dharun' was published by Poinnari. He has never looked back since then. 'Ankvaar Avoi, Kalokantlle Dole', 'Baara Metam', 'Rahasya', 'Lipaillem Sat', 'Buyarantllo Ghut' have been some his other popular novels. He is one among the very few Konkani writers who carry the flair for penning gritty and suspense thrillers. Making splendid use of this genre, H J Goveas has carved a long-lasting name in Konkani literature.
The highly prominent 'Daiji Dubai Literary Puroskar' would be presented and bestowed on the recipient in February 2017, along with Rs 75,000, a citation and certificate of honour.
Daiji Dubai is a forum of actively dominant group of Konkani writers based in Dubai providing yeoman service to Konkani language and literature for the last seventeen years.