Goan Konkani writer Damodar Mauzo will be conferred with the 57th Jnanpith Award on May 27. The award will be presented by the Governor of Goa P. S. Sreedharan Pillai. Internationally acclaimed Urdu poet, author, lyricist, and filmmaker Gulzar will also be in attendance.
Damodar Mauzo is a prominent Goan Konkani writer, novelist, and journalist. He was born on 13th June 1935 in the village of Khandola in Goa. He completed his education in Goa and Mumbai and began his career as a journalist.
Mauzo has written extensively in Konkani and has published several books, including novels, short story collections, and poetry. His works reflect the cultural and social realities of Goa, and he is known for his insightful portrayal of the lives of the marginalized sections of Goan society.
Some of Mauzo's notable works include 'Karmelin', 'Karmelin: Ek Asleli Katha', 'Tujea Mogak', 'Sood', 'Zagor', and 'Tiatr'. One of the collections of his stories, Teresa’s Man, was nominated for the Frank O’Connor International Award in the year 2015. Mauzo has received several awards for his contribution to Konkani literature, including the Sahitya Akademi award in 1983 for his novel 'Karmelin' and the Padma Shri in 2010. His work has been translated into several languages, including English, Hindi, Marathi, and Kannada. Mauzo continues to write and is considered a leading voice in Goan literature.
Winner of several literary awards that include the Sahitya Akademi Award, Katha Award, V. V. Pai Sahitya Puraskar, State Cultural Award, etc. Mauzo has recently been conferred the "Basava Vibhushan Award 2023" by the Basava Samiti, Bangalore, Karnataka.