Melvyn Rodrigues

Melvyn Rodrigues
Born	(1962-07-08) 8 July 1962 Mangalore, India
Language	Konkani
Nationality	Indian
Education	B.B.M.(Business Management), M.A. (Sociology)
Genre	Poetry
Subject	Konkani
Literary movement	Propagation of Konkani Poetry towards International Status
Notable works	Prikriticho Paas
Notable awards	Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Goa (1989), Konkani Kuttom, Bahrain (2006), Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi Honorary Award for Literature (2006); Dr TMA Pai Foundation Best Konkani Book Award (2009); Sahitya Akademi Award (2010)
Spouse	Averyl Rodrigues
Children	Gavin Rodrigues

Melvyn Rodrigues (Konkani: मेल्विन रोड्रीगस (Devanagari), ಮೆಲ್ವಿನ್ ರೊಡ್ರಿಗಸ್ (Kannada)); is a Konkani poet, essayist, critique, orator and Konkani language activist.

About Melvyn

Melvyn Rodrigues was born at Derebail, Mangalore, on 8 July 1962'. His parents were Charles and Theresa Rodrigues, with 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, Mangalore. After completing his pre-university studies at St. Aloysius College, he acquired his B.B.M. degree at S.D.M.College, Mangalore, and M.A. (Sociology) degree from Mysore University. He worked in worked in Dubai until 2006. He lives in Mangalore and is 'Operations Director' at Daijiworld Media.

Konkani Language Activist

• Served as secretary of 'Konkani Bhasha Mandall'^[1]
• Served as secretary of 'Kala Sampath' ^[2]
• Started 'Zage Kavi' movement along with Cha. Fra. D'Costa to promote Konkani poetry.^[3]
• Founded 'Mandd Sobhann' along with Cha. Fra. D'Costa and Eric Ozario.
• Co-founder of Daiji Dubai, Forum of Konkani Writers in the U.A.E.^[4]
• Founder 'Kavita Trust' which works for the promotion of Konkani poetry.

Creative Works

His poems have been translated into Kannada, English, Panjabi, Hindi and Arabic. Mangalore University, Goa and Karnataka state have selected his poems for the Konkani school/college books.

Music Album Lyricist

Melvyn was composing the lyrics for 'Rang Tarang' group. Mandd Sobhann ^[7] has set tunes to more than fifty of Melvyn's poems. His independent music album was 'Dini Dini' ^[8] released in 2006, published by Kavita Publications.

Propagation of Konkani Poetry via Kavita Trust

Kavita Trust was formed in 2006 and Melvyn Rodrigues was the founder president of the Trust. The Trust has its mission as "To function as a School for the Promotion and Propagation of Konkani poetry". It operates out of Mangalore. It conducts several activities ^[9] to promote Konkani poetry such as
- Endowment Lecture by eminent poets- Yearly
- Kavita Fest (Konkani Poetry Festival) - Yearly
- Konkani Poetry Publications
- All India Konkani Poetry Writing Competition for Students ^[10] - Yearly
- All India Konkani Poetry Reciting Competition for Youth ^[11] - Yearly
- All India Konkani Poetry Reciting Competition for Children ^[12] - Yearly

Konkani journalism

• Sub-editor of the Konkani magazines 'Mithr' and 'Jhelo'.^[13]
• Subeditor of Cha. Fra. D'Costa's 'Jivit'.
• Subeditor of Sylvestor D'Souza's 'Udev'.
• Editor of the website www.kavitaa.com.

Awards and recognition

Melvyn has been conferred with several awards for his contribution to poerty.

• 2016: Smt. Vimala V Pai Vishwa Konkani PoetryAward ^[14]
• 2016: Daiji Dubai Award ^[15]
• 2015: Pandurag Bhaangi Bimb Award ^[16]
• 2013: FKCA Award ^[17]
• 2012: Sahitya Akademi Award 2012 for Prikriticho Paas
• 2010: Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi Honorary Award for Literature
• 2009: Dr TMA Pai Foundation Best Konkani Book Award
• 2006: Konkani Kuttom, Bahrain
• 2006: Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi Honorary Award for Literature
• 1989: Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Goa

References