Mangalore : Melwyn Rodrigues, the winner of the Konkani Sahitya Academy Award of 2011 was felicitated at a special ceremony organised by seventeen Konkani organizations at Milagres Church Hall on March 3, Saturday.

Speaking after receiving the felicitation, Mr. Rodrigues spoke on the origin of poetry and expressed his gratefulness to the community.

Poet Pundalik Narayan Nayak, speaking on the occasion, said that it is great that Rodrigues received the award in his lifetime, since many people get recognition after their deaths.

He also said that the award will provide a better opportunity for Kavita Trust and Melwyn Rodrigues to promote Konkani poetry.

Mandd Sobhann gurkar Eric Ozario and Konkani writer Mahadevi Desai, also spoke on the occasion.

Mr. Ozario also sang six songs and poems from the award-winning anthology Prakrathicho Paas authored by Rodrigues was performed in the form of skit on the occasion.

On the occasion, a photograph of Melwyn Rodrigues was unveiled and presented to the Basti Vaman Shenoy, the president of the World Konkani Centre, to be placed in the WKC Hall of Fame.