Renowned Konkani writer, Fr Pereira passes away Navhind Times Staff Reporter
Panaji Feb 25: Renowned Konkani writer and thinker, Fr Antonio Pereira expired today morning after a prolonged illness at the Goa Medical College Hospital at Bambolim. He was 85. The funeral services will be held tomorrow at Our Lady of Grace Church at Bicholim at 4.30 p.m and later the body will be laid to rest at Bicholim cemetery, as per his wishes. The Goa Konkani Academy has expressed its deep grief over the demise of Fr Pereira. The Goa Konkanni Akademi president, Mr Pundalik Naik in his condolence message described Fr Pereira as a senior Konkani writer, who contributed lot to literature which prominently includes biographical works on St Ignatious of Loyola, St Francis Xavier, Fr Jose Vaz and many others. Mr Naik said in Fr Pereira�s death Konkani has lost one of its sincere and committed sons, who always stood for unity and brotherhood. He said the novel Vaddol and Varem was one of Fr Pereira�s popular books. Mr Naik also said Fr Pereira�s writings have covered extensive history of Konkani language and literary history from Krishnadas Shama to Shenoi Goembab and Ravindra Kelekar. Fr Pereira was responsible for creating landmarks in the field of Konkani literature in Roman script. He began his Konkani writing in Roman script for Vavraddeancho Ixtt and Dor Mhoineachi Rotti. Later he continued to write also for Gulab, Goencho Avaz and The Goan Review. He has written a series of English articles on Konkani in The Navhind Times and other dailies. Fr Pereira has 34 Konkani and two English books to his credit. His first Konkani book, Kurpechim Kirnnam was published in 1952. Onvllam (1973), Tuzo Vichar (1974), Vadoll ani Varem (1979), Fuddari (1985), Chirmuleo (1989), Mhojea Hatanchi ani Vonttanchi Kanni (1989), Konkani Oparinchem Bhanddar (1985) are some of his popular books. The novel, Vadoll ani Varem won him three prizes and is prescribed for MA Konkani students by the Goa University. His first book in English, The Makers of Konkani Literature was a landmark in his career as a writer. Born on August 25, 1919, at Sirlim (Salcete), Fr Pereira joined Jesuit Novitiate at Calicut on August 13, 1941. His did his priestly education at Shembaganur, Tamil Nadu and at Kurseong in West Bengal and was ordained priest on November 21, 1952. He spent his early years of priesthood at Baga. In 1955 he was appointed as the parish priest of Bicholim. His main slogan there was �I have come as a pilgrim of joy, peace, serenity and love� and this won him many friends among Christians, Hindus and Muslims in Bicholim. Fr Pereira established Our Lady of Grace High School at Bicholim in 1956 with the primary section. By 1957 he constructed a new building to the school, which later developed into a high school. He took the initiative in visiting every house of the village and persuaded the parents to send their children to the school. Fr Pereira gave the impetus for starting a maternity Hospital by FMM sisters at Bicholim. He showed his love for football by starting Bicholim Football Club at Bicholim. He worked for 19 years at Bicholim. In appreciation of his services, there is a road in Bicholim which has been named after him. Fr Pereira was a popular Konkani preacher whose sermons were much loved. He was invited to preach in Goa, Maharashtra and even in Gulf countries. Later, he served as director of the Xavier Retreat House for 12 years. He was then transferred to Xavier Centre of Historical Research, Porvorim. He suffered a stroke here, which left him paralysed for some time. After his partial recovery he was shifted to St Britto�s Mapusa where he continued his writing. In 1989 when Fr Pereira completed 70 years, as a founding member of Thomas Stephens Konkani Kendr (TSKK) instituted an annual award named �Antonio Pereira Konkani Puroskar� which carries a cash award of Rs 25,000. Fr Pereira has received many awards, and has been felicitated by a number of organisations. ===== http://www.goa-world.net/poems http://www.goa-world.net/poems/lino __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Get better spam protection with Yahoo! Mail. http://antispam.yahoo.com/tools ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
