‘Songhorsh’, a Konkani book in Devanagari script, comprising five one-act plays written by
young Konkani writer Marcos Gonsalves, was released at a function organised by
the Goa Konkani Academy on February 4, 2018, on the occasion of the Official
Language Day of Goa.
Ex-President of Goa Konkani Academy and Sahitya Academy Award
winner Madhav Borkar was the Chief Guest, while Prasad Lolienkar, Maya
Kharangate and Vishal Khandeparkar were also among those present for the
function.
“Literature is the reflection of society. Any country is known
not just because of the historical events or geographical boundaries but also
because of its literature. Society, place or boundaries cannot be the obstacles
for literature,” says Borkar, while speaking about the book.
Borkar also praises the Goa Konkani Academy for the work they
are doing in the field of literature.
‘Ful Pisuddta Tednam’, ‘Kallkhachi Vatt Suru Zalea’, ‘Kednam
Paloutolo Ho Uzo’, ‘Mar Fator’ and ‘Sonvsar Somptoloch’ are the names of the
five one-act plays that are part of Marcos’s book.
“Writing is not just my hobby but my passion. So I write Konkani
with passion. I used to read a lot of Konkani books and periodicals in my
collage days. I’ve been writing one-act plays for the last 20 years and have
also been participating in all Goa one-act play competitions. My plays are
mostly related to social, political and family issues,” says Marcos, while
speaking about what inspired him to pen this book.
“The desire to keep the culture of one-act places alive is what
prompted me to get my plays published. These plays are an effective way of
taking up relevant issues,” he adds.
“My first collection of plays was ‘Zoglam’ in 1998, when I was
in my third year (Philosophy) at Chowgule College, Margao,” reveals Marcos, who
is a journalist by profession.
‘Songhorsh’ was first published in Romi script in 2006. It won
him the Goa Konkani Academy literary award. As a writer, Marcos writers in both
Romi and Devanagari scripts of Konkani, as displayed with the release of
‘Songhorsh’ in Devanagari. Till date he has made quite a few contributions to
Konkani literature, which include ‘Zoglam’ (collection of one-act plays),
‘Thembea-Thembeant’ (poems), ‘Bhakita’ (biography), ‘Frank Duff Missonar’
(biography), ‘Konnsam’ (short stories), ‘Tornni Xim’ (creative essays),
‘Kristanvancho Zagor’ (research work), ‘Doryadhar’ (creative essays), etc.
His one-act play, ‘Kallokhachi Vatt Suru Zata’, is part of the
publication ‘Venchik Ekanki’ by Goa Konkani Academy. ‘Ful Pisuddtta Tenna’, a
one-act play has been included in ‘Samkalin Konkani one-act-plays’
(contemporary one act plays), published by Sahitya Academy, New Delhi under the
editorship of Pundalik N Naik. ‘Kallim Kupam’ has been compiled in ‘Ekvisavea
Xenkddeantlio Ekanki’, a collection of one-act plays by Hanumant Chopdekar.
Marcos has also presented
research papers on ‘Zagor’ and other literary works at various
seminars.
Marcos’ work in documenting and promoting the rich history of
‘Zagor’ (a form of a traditional folk drama performed in many villages in Goa),
has also received high praise among the literature circles.
He has also won many awards in Konkani literature and on the
tiatr stage. These include best book award for ‘Zoglam’(Konkani Bhasha Mandal),
‘Songhorsh’ (Goa Konkani Acedemy), ‘Tornni Xim’ (Thomas Stephen Konkani Kendr),
‘Yuwa Sahitik Award’ (Dalgado Konknni Akademi and Goa Konkani Academy),
‘Kristanvancho Zagor’ (Vavraddeancho Ixtt), ‘Doryadhar’ (best book award by
Dalgado Konknni Akademi), ‘Gulab’ award and many others. ‘Ek Aslo Surya’ and
‘Mhojea Mamachea Ganvant’ are two tiatrs written and directed by him that won
tiatr awards (script writer and director) from Tiatr Academy of Goa.
“I
now plan on publishing three more books this year, which include research,
tiatr and crime stories. All manuscripts are ready,” adds Marcos.