A Tribute
Transliteration of his writings, real tribute to Bonaventure D’ Pietro
I was stunned to see the launch of autobiography of an eminent novelist. Nowadays, a writer sometimes choose to write his biography. Really speaking every writer has to write his biography. Why only writer? Every person has to write his biography. A person never resemble to another person. That’s why, experiences of everyone are different. These experiences are to be shared and reading such experiences means a great honour. So called ‘James Hadley Chaise of Konkani’ Mr. Bonaventure D’Pietro who turns 80 on Sunday, 14th July, was to release his autobiography ‘Vattliechea Avazan’ published by Dalgado Konknni Akademi. Preparations were almost complete. Invites were posted and Deputy Speaker of Goa Lagislative Assembly Mr. Michael Lobo was confirmed as the Chief Guest for the function. But suddenly on 6th July, Bonaventure breathe his last under tragic circumstances and entire Konkani community was shocked.
Bonaventure was a multifaceted man. He was not only a writer, but a musician too. He played Terror Sexaphone, Alto Sexaphone, Soprano Sexaphone, clarinate and violin. He formed band groups namely ‘Bonaventures’ ani ‘Bob Brown Combo (B.B.C.) in Mumbai and when he returned to Goa, he created another band group by name ‘Pietros’. He used to play as solo sexaphonist in small programmes. Of late, he was engaged with his own ‘Alegrians’ brass band.
Bonaventure has penned huge sum of Konkani literature. He has written around 18 books including his autobiography, of which 12 are novels. They are 1. Soitanacho Gutt 2. Kallea Vistidachi Choli 3.Clara 4. Mhojea Paicho Fondd 5. From Goa With Love 6. Mog vo Patok 7. Ek Bhett Mongllurchea Xarak 8. Mhaka Jiyeunk Zai 9. Jimmy 10. Tichea Mornna Uprant 11. Janya Celi and 12. Sankoll. Besides this, he has written a short story book ‘Gupi’ for children ani ‘Tera Numbrachi Kottri’ for general readers. His novem ‘Tichea Mornna Uprant has been transliterated in Kanada ani is applied for Goa University as reference book. His ‘Sankoll’ novel has been translated in English and named ‘Forever yours’. Bonaventure never expected financial gains as a writer. On the contrary he has sacrificed his salaries for printing of books. He composed his books by working on overtime and got the books published with the help of well wishers.
His contribution to Konkani journalism is also immense. He has worked as sub editor for ‘Udentichem Nokhetr’ (Mumbai), ‘Novem Goem’ (Margao), ‘Gulab’ & ‘Konkan Mail’ (Panaji), ‘Vauraddeancho Ixtt’ (Pilar) Gõykar (Candolim). He has contributed to most of the Konkani periodicals in Roman Konkani. He has translated English articles and is one of the translators of full Bible in Konkani. He has edited 8 issues of ‘Arso’, a magazine and has been in the editorial board of St. Michael’s church bulletin.
Serving the tiatr, he has penned down many tiatr and khell-tiatrs. He has also acted in the same. Besides, he has given his tiatr scripts to many profession directors who has never mentioned his name. He has written small plays and one act plays also. His literature has been aired through All India Radio in the sections like ‘Bolkanvar Gozali’ and ‘Sahitya Jhelo’. Goa Doordarshan has telecast his play, ‘To Amger Yetolo’. In his book, ‘Doulot Songit Goenkaranchem’ he has briefed about new and seasoned musicians with great respect to Alfred Rose, Chris Perry, Frank Fernando, Fr. Lurdino Barreto, Ambrozio De Souza and others.
A writer with such a high caliber was born at Chinvar, Anjuna but had to go to Mumbai for his well-being. Love for Konkani brought him down in Goa and worked tirelessly, to become bankrupt sometimes for publishing his books. But his pains did not went in vein, he was well received by the readers and acknowledged too. He received Konkani Bhasha Mandal Award, Goa Kala Academy Award, Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr Award, Vavraddeancho ixtt Award and prestigious State Cultural Award for his literature, besides receiving number of felicitations for his contribution to literature. He may have not earned money, but surely he has earned new friends of literature, readers, social workers and priests.
Baptized as Bonaventure Peter Fernandes, he adopted the pen name as Bonaventure D’ Pietro. He was the beloved son of Joao Luis and Maria Rosa, husband of Olinda and father of Rabin, Raj and Queeny. His autobiography ‘Vattliechea Avazan’ will be released as planned on 14th July at 4.00 p.m. at the Conference Hall of Arts & Culture, Panaji. We have lost a great friend, a novelist and a literaute par excellence. He has started his journey to the heaven, we pray to find his right place. He might not have prospered in money but he has surely enriched Konkani. His writings specially novels, if transliterated to Devnagri Konkani, will be the real tribute to Bonaventure D’ Pietro, R.I.P.
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