BY JP PEREIRA
Veteran playwright, Vitorino Pereira from Utorda, won the first prize at the script writing contest organised by the Goa Konkani Academy in the year 2008. This script has now been published by the Konkani academy.

At a well attended function held at Our Lady of Lourdes High School Hall, Utorda, on August 23, the book was formally released at the hands of president of the Tiatr Academy of Goa, Mr Tomazinho Cardozo in the distinguished presence of well known writer, Damodar Mauzo, president of Goa Konkani Academy, N Shivdas, and president of the Dalgado Konkani Academy, Mr Premanand Lotlikar. The function was compered by Vincy Quadros of the Konkani Academy. The day coincided with the birthday of the playwright himself.

Mr Tomazinho Cardozo congratulated the writer and urged people to preserve Goa’s culture in the right form. Damodar Mauzo expressed happiness on the release of the book and commented that today; many Hindus were showing a keen interest in the development of the ‘tiatr’. Teotonio D’Costa, gave a synopsis of the script and Vitorino Pereira, thanked the Konkani Academy for publishing his book. He said the book was possible also because of the untiring love and sacrifice of his wife, Celestina and daughters, Rosie and Nelcy, who helped him achieve this dream. Mr Premanand Lotlikar proposed the vote of thanks. An entertainment programme later followed.

‘Aashirwad’ is a tale of two generations of families recounted with lots of twists, humour and doses of suspense. The book will be available at various book shops and is priced at a modest ` 50.