Media release
Mangaluru, Jul 4: Konkani Kutam Bahrain has chosen Fr Prashant Madtha for this year’s Konkani Kutam Bahrain Award for his immense contribution to Konkani language and Literature.
Konkani Kutam Bahrain is a forum formed in the year 2000 in Bahrain, to promote Konkani language, literature and culture. In its endeavor to support Konkani writers and artistes, Konkani Kutam has instituted Konkani Kutam Award in 2002.
The award consists of a citation, memento and a cash prize of Rs.50, 000.
The award will be presented in a glittering ceremony on Saturday, July 28 at 6.30 pm at St Sebastian Platinum Jubilee Hall, Bendore in city. .
Noted Kannada writer and poet Jayant Kaikini will attend the programme as chief guest and well-known Konkani poet and Central Sahitya Academy award winner Melvyn Rodrigues will be the guest of honour.
Local convener Richard Moras, Coordinator Titus Noronha, Committee members Manu Bahrain, Cyril G Sequeira and Victor Mathias were present in the press meet.
Fr Prashant Madtha - A profile
Konkani and Kannada people world over, have a unique place for Fr Prashant Madtha SJ, a Jesuit of Mangaluru, more widely known in Karnataka. Among countless works in Kannada and Konkani, 'Padanidhi' the very first ever Kannada Thesaurus is one more crowning glory for this lover of Kannada.
He also brought out Konkani Thesarwhich is considered to be a treasure for the Konkani literature. He is known as 'Wordsmith' 'Second Kittel' and "Roget of Kannada'.
Apart from his literary work, Fr Prashant Madtha is a great orator known for his wit andhumour, Fr Prashant Madtha holds a Master's degree in Kannada with I rank and 3 gold medals. He has served as lecturer, principal and director at St Aloysius College in Mangalore and St Joseph’s College in Bangalore. He is also a noted author and columnist in Kannada and Konkani. As a gifted, creative and prolific writer, Fr. PrashantMadtha’s contribution has enriched Konkani and Kannada literature.
In 2008 India Today weekly magazine recognized Fr Prashant Madtha is one of the '50 Pioneers of Change'.
Life and work
Early academic achievements: Born in Sullia, Fr Prashant Madtha had his early education at Board High School, Sullia and PUC at St Aloysius College, Mangalore. He then earned a Degree with Kannada Major and Sanskrit at University College, Mangalore. Philosophy Theology from Jnana Deepa Vidya Peet, Pune. Masters in Kannada with First Rank and 3 Gold Medals from Bangalore University.
Positions held
Lecturer in Kannada, St Joseph’s College, Bangalore – 1977-78, Lecturer in Kannada, St Aloysius College, Mangalore – 1981 to 2003, Principal- St Aloysius College from 1994 to 2003, Correspondent, St Aloysius Evening College, Mangalore, Director of The Institute of Konkani, St Aloysius College, Mangaluru, Member of the Editorial Board of Encyclopedia on Religion, Hampi Kannada University, Member of the Academic Council – Mangalore University, Director of St Aloysius College Boys Hostel.
Principal, St Joseph’s Evening College (autonomous), Bengaluru, Administrator, St Joseph’s PU Evening College, Bengaluru.
At present: Director and Finance Officer, St Joseph’s College of Commerce(autonomous), Bengaluru and Director of Pondicherry University Distance MBA education, Bengaluru Region.
Fr Prashant Madtha introduced Konkani as the second language for Degree courses in St Aloysius College. Mangalore University granted affiliation to the subject on 24 July 1996. St Aloysius became the first and the only College in Karnataka to introduce Konkani as a subject and exams were conducted by the Mangalore University. Special scholarships were provided to the students who took Konkani literature as their second language.
Books authored : Books in Kannada : 1.Veera Virakta 2. KristhanaAnukarane 3. SaviraHoovugaluAralali 4.Ninnanthe Naanagalu 5.Saanidhya 6. Kannada Padanidhi (Kannada Thesaurus of synonyms and antonyms - 2007 reprinted in 2008).
Books in Konkani : 1.Kittallam, 2.Rattavoll 3.Konkani Pikollim(10,000 Konkani idioms), 4.Konkani Thesar.
Books in English : ‘On Eagle’s Wings’ (125 years history of St.Aloysius College, Mangalore).
His modern contributions to Kannada and Konkani are too numerous to detail, perhaps few scholars of today could have made so a wide a contribution to the twin languages of which there is no doubt and a search on internet can reveal fine details.
Awards received by Fr Prashant Madtha
• Fr. Prashant Madtha was recently given the lifetime achievement award by the Konkani Catholic Association.
• Indian Catholic Press Association Award –2008
• Danthi Smarak Award – 2008
• Sandesha Award for Konkani Literature – 2009
• Honoured with the ‘Life Time Achievement Award’ by Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations of Karnataka (FKCA) on 30 January 2011.
Honoured
• Recognized as one of the ‘50 Pioneers of Change of India’(India Today-July 7, 2008)
• Honoured at Sullia Sahitya Sammelan
• Honoured by the 76th All India Kannada Literary Conference held in Gadag on21 February 2010, for his contribution for Kannada Literature and culture
• Achievement Award- Kurunji Venkataramana Gowda Award.