ZOLMACHEA DISACHIM PORBIM, PIO!

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APRIL FIRST: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PIO!

Konkani writer Pio Fernandes was born on 01.04.1968.

Kannio Jivitachio, a collection of radio plays, Tujea Moga Khatir, a book of poems and Don Zhuzam: Ek Zoit – Ek Har, a novel, are some of his major works. Tujea Moga Khatir bagged the Literary Award [in the poetry category] instituted by All India Konkani Writers’ Organization [AIKWO] in 2014 as well as Konkani Bhasha Mandal’s Literary Award in 2015.

Pio died on 22.08.2019 after a long battle with illness.

(cover image: from the October 2019 issue of GULAB magazine)


Here's my translation of a poem from his book, Tujea Moga Khatir...

That photograph has now become everlasting / For six days later came the morning of mourning

FOTTU NIMNNO



Fottu: Tujea Moga Khatir pustokachem pattlem kovor (back cover)


Mavodde ghora angnnant

Rongyallea fulam modim

Chougam-i ami ubim

Fulam porim kitlim taj’jim


Hat tuzo puta hatant

Dhuv-ui tujea chittkun gopant

Tonddar amchea hanso mogacho

Fottu to nimnno soglleancho


Fottu aiz yadgar sasnnachi

So-uch disamni sokall dukachi

Fottvant tuji thir nodor

Dolle uloytat bhas mogachi


Modim amchea dogaim bhurgim

Torui ami disonant doxim

Kitlim ami ekamekak lagim

Surya porzollan lokloktat koxim


Kitlem tum dista xant

Vonttar tujea gulab futtleat

Huske khonti matui disonant

Fottvak tea ugddas guntleat


Aiz fottuch mhaka sangat

Dovrunk tuka jivem sasnnak

Fottu mat to kagdacho

Chorun vhela zago kallzacho


My translation...


THE LAST PHOTOGRAPH


In the area around my in-laws’ house

Decked by blossoms of different colours

We stood, the four of us

As fresh as the flowers


Your hand is locked in your son’s

And your daughter cuddled in your embrace

Smiles of love on everyone’s face

It would be the last of our group photos


That photograph has now become everlasting

For six days later came the morning of mourning

How focussed is your gaze in the picture

As your eyes speak the language of love


Between us are our two children

And yet we don’t seem apart

How close we are to one another

As if glowing in the radiance of the sun


How calm you look

Roses blooming on your lips

Not a trace of grief or a hint of worries

Wrapped in that photograph are countless memories


Today that photo alone is my companion

To keep alive your memories forever

Alas! It is but a piece of paper

The abode of my heart lies abandoned.



Check this link for a review of Kannio Jivitachio: Life on AIR!

https://daleluismenezes.blogspot.com/search?q=pio+fernandes




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KODDU SONVSAR ani her kotha
Khub kall pattim, 1987 vorsa, hanvem mhojem poilem Konknni pustok, Koddu Sonvsar ani her kotha uzvaddak haddlem. Pustok uzvaddak yeunche poilim, 1983 vorsa mhoji avoi hea sonvsarak ontorloli ani hem pustok hanvem ticheach omor ugddasak bhettoilolem. To kall ek veglloch kall aslo. Ghorant fon nasle, computers-ui nasle. Sahityachim borpam dhorun, her soglo vaurui ttopalantleanuch eka-mekak pavti korcho poddttalo. Chhapkhaneant kitem-i chhaptolo zalear hatamni ek-ek dhatuchem (metal) okxor punzaun utram toyar kortale ani hie toren zoddlolea utranchio magir volli korun pananchi manddavoll zatali. Koddu Sonvsar pustokui hich tora uzar korun uzvaddak ailem. Atam 30 odhik vorsam uprant hench pustok e-book-ant rupantor zata. Hea pustokant asat sat kotha mogachio…ani mog korpianchea sukha-dukhachio! Pustokachem kovor: Shanelie Fernandes
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