Mangalore: A young Konkani Christian poet, Melvyn Rodrigues, has been named by Central Sahitya Academy for its annual award in 2011, conferred on his poems collection ‘Prakriticho Paas’ (the chain of Nature). The award carries Rs.1 lakh and a placque.

Konkani Christian writer (dramas, poems, journalism and stage acting) personality Charles Francis D’Costa was the first winner of such an award, then carrying only Rs. 25,000, just two decades ago in 1989. Both are Mangaloreans.

Melvyn has worked for the cause of Konkani, apart from writing books of short stories, essays, lyrics and poems.

The Central awards for chosen languages publications will be presented in New Delhi, on Feb 14, 2012.

Melvyn is a co-founder of Maand Shobann (stage singing). His present poetry collection has also won TMA Pai Book award in 2009, presented as on 26-03-2011 at Manipal.

Several other awards have followed him. He is a versatile writer with a special pen chant for Konkani poetry. Konkani writers Forum paid a tribute to his success.