“Madhavi had the brains of a researcher and
the heart of a poet,” says Dr Subodh Kerkar as he reminisces about his
sister-in-law. Dr Kerkar adds, “Her contribution to Konkani is great. Two of
her books – ‘Manthan’, a research-oriented academic book and ‘Bhaasabhaas’ –
remain to be some of her most popular works. Usually academic books are dry in
nature but what is beautiful is that Madhavi could add poetry to it. She added
literary beauty to research oriented books.”
The veteran Konkani writer, linguist,
teacher and recipient of National Sahitya Akademi Award who was known in
literary and cultural circles for her polite nature, passed away recently after
battling adrenal cancer for almost a year. The 52 year-old Associate Professor
was teaching at the Konkani faculty of Goa University and had to take over as
the Head of the Department after being elevated to the post of Professor.
Barely three days ago, she was honoured with the most prestigious National
Sahitya Akademi Award for her research-based book of essays – ‘Manthan’.
Besides ‘Manthan’, Dr Sardesai had also
received the translation award of Sahitya Akademi for a book on Mahatma Gandhi.
Additionally, she had also written a book on linguistics called ‘Bhaasabhaas’,
as well as a translation of a French children’s book called ‘Mankulo
Rajkunvar’. Although Madhavi was also a powerful poet known for her thoughtful
short poems, her works have not been published in book form. A Gandhian to the
core, she was also the editor of ‘Jaag’, a monthly founded for her great
Gandhian uncles – Dnyanpeeth awardee and Padmabhushan recipient Ravindra
Kelekar and Sumant Kelekar. Even the email id of the prolific writer,
‘madhavikonkani@gmail.com’, spoke volumes of her dedication and commitment
towards Konkani. She is definitely one of Goa’s literary stars who vanished
from amidst us a little too early.
