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{{Short description|Indian writer (born 1954)}}
{{Unreliable sources|date=December 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Gokuldas Prabhu
| image = Gokuldas Prabhu.png
| birth_name = Krishna Gokuldas Prabhu
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1954|12|28|df=y}}
| birth_place = Cherlai, [[Mattancherry]], [[Cochin]], [[Kerala]], [[India]]
| education = [[Bachelor of Science|BSc]], [[Master of Arts|MA]]
| alma_mater = [[Sacred Heart College, Thevara]]<br>[[Madurai Kamaraj University]]
| occupation = {{hlist|Author|translator|activist|banker}}
| notable_works = ''Prithivai Namah'' (1986)<br>''Antraayami'' (1991)
| awards = {{hlist|[[Sahitya Akademi Award]] (1994)|[[Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize]] (2002)}}
}}

'''Krishna Gokuldas Prabhu''' (born 28 December 1954) is an Indian author, translator, and activist from [[Kerala]] who writes in the [[Konkani language]]. He is a recipient of the [[Sahitya Akademi Award]] and the [[Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize]]. He has served multiple terms as the president of the [[Akhil Bharatiya Konkani Parishad]] and as a member of the General Council of the [[Sahitya Akademi]].

==Early life and education==
Krishna Gokuldas Prabhu was born on 28 December 1954 in Cherlai, [[Mattancherry]], [[Cochin]], [[Kerala]]. He is a polyglot, fluent in [[Konkani language|Konkani]], [[Malayalam]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Kannada]], [[Hindi]], and [[English language|English]].<ref name="Vishwakosh1999">{{cite wikisource |editor-first1=Tanaji |editor-last1=Halarnkar |editor-link1=Tanaji Halarnkar |others= |title=Konkani Vishwakosh |trans-title=Konkani Encyclopaedia |wslink=Page:Konkani Viswakosh Vol2.pdf/842 |type= |edition= |series= |pages=842–843 |volume=2 |year=1999 |publisher=[[Goa University]] |location=Goa |language=gom |wslanguage=gom }}</ref>

He received his primary education in the Malayalam medium up to the sixth standard.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=11 February 2014 |title=Mangalore: Gokuldas Prabhu elected president of Akhil Bharatiya Konkani Parishad |url=https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay.aspx?newsID=217578 |access-date=4 April 2025 |work=Daijiworld}}</ref> He completed his Secondary School Leaving Certificate ([[SSLC]]) at the T.D. High School in Mattancherry and went on to obtain a [[Bachelor of Science]] (BSc) degree from [[Sacred Heart College, Thevara|Sacred Heart College]] in [[Thevara]], Kerala.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" /> He holds a post-graduate degree in [[English literature]] from [[Madurai Kamaraj University]] in [[Madurai]], [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref name="Daijiworld2014">{{Cite web |title=Mangalore: Gokuldas Prabhu elected president of Akhil Bharatiya Konkani Parishad |url=https://daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=217578 |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=Daijiworld |date=2014-02-11}}</ref>

==Career==
In 1979, he began his professional career at the [[Corporation Bank]].<ref name=":16">{{cite book |title=Sahitya Akademi Awards 1994 |publisher=Sahitya Akademi |year=1994 |location=New Delhi |page=9 |language=English |type=Brochure}}</ref>

===Literary work===
Prabhu's literary career began in 1981 with the publication of his first Konkani writing in the Kerala-based magazine ''Konkani Janata''. He served as the editor of ''Rutu'', a bimonthly Konkani poetry periodical, for five years.<ref name="Daijiworld2014" /> He has also contributed articles on the Konkani language to newspapers.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" />

His major creative works include:
* ''Prithivai Namah'' (1986): A novel published in book form.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" />
* ''Antraayami'' (1991): A collection of short stories published in the [[Devanagari]] script.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" />

Prabhu is also a prolific translator, known for translating Malayalam literature into Konkani. His translation of [[M. T. Vasudevan Nair]]'s classic novel ''[[Naalukettu]]'', titled ''Chavki'' in Konkani, was well received. He also translated [[K. P. Ramanunni]]'s Malayalam novel into Konkani as ''Soofeen Saangil’li Kaanni''.<ref name="Daijiworld2014" />

Prabhu has presented papers on Konkani language, literature, and folklore at events organised by the Sahitya Akademi, Delhi; the [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi|Kerala Sahitya Academy]]; the All India Konkani Parishad; [[Goa University]]; the [[World Konkani Centre]], [[Mangalore|Mangaluru]].<ref name=":14">{{Cite news |date=21 February 2020 |title=Konkani Sahitya Academy to celebrate silver jubilee on February 22, 23 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/konkani-sahitya-academy-to-celebrate-silver-jubilee-on-february-22-23/article30874447.ece |access-date=7 April 2025 |work=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=केरळ, कर्नाटकांतल्यान व्हडा संख्येन प्रतिनिधी येतले |trans-title=Delegates to arrive in large numbers from Kerala and Karnataka |work=सुनापरान्त (Sunaparant Daily) |language=Konkani |publication-place=Madgaon, Goa, India |publication-date=20 April 2001}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=17 February 2019 |title=Seminar on Konkani linguistic scenario from Monday |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/amp/story/goa/seminar-on-konkani-linguistic-scenario-from-monday/142771 |access-date=7 April 2025 |work=Herald Goa}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=13 March 2025 |title=World Konkani Centre to Celebrate Centenary of Literary Stalwarts Ravindra Kelekar and Manohar Rai Sardesai |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/karnataka/world-konkani-centre-to-celebrate-centenary-of-literary-stalwarts-ravindra-kelekar-and-manohar-rai-sardesai-953643 |access-date=7 April 2025 |work=The Hans India}}</ref> His works have been translated into Kannada, Tamil, English, [[Telugu language|Telugu]], and other languages. Notable translations include: ''Antar Āyāmi'' (अंतरआयामी) into Kannada by Dr Geeta Shenoy,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Prabhu |first=Gokuldas |title=अंतरआयामी |publisher=Sahitya Akademi |year=2018 |location=New Delhi, India |language=kn |translator-last=Shenoy |translator-first=Dr Geetha |trans-title=ಅಂತರ ಆಯಾಮಿ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=ಕೊಂಕಣಿ ಕಥಾ ಸಂಕಲನ 'ಅಂತರ ಆಯಾಮಿ' ಕನ್ನಡ ಅನುವಾದ ಲೋಕಾರ್ಪಣ |url=https://archive.kittall.com/7189/ |access-date=19 August 2025 |work=Kittall Media Network}}</ref> Tamil (''Ulparimanangal'') by N. Gopinath Hegde,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Prabhu |first=Gokuldas |title=अंतरआयामी |publisher=Sahitya Akademi |year=2022 |isbn=9789355482914 |location=New Delhi, India |language=Ta |translator-last=Hegde |translator-first=Gopinath |trans-title=உள்பரிமாணங்கள்}}</ref> and English (''The Being Within'') by Pratima Asher;<ref name=":19">{{Cite book |last=Prabhu |first=Gokuldas |title=अंतरआयामी |publisher=Sahitya Akademi |year=2025 |isbn=9789361839795 |location=New Delhi, India |publication-date=26 July 2025 |translator-last=Asher |translator-first=Pratima |trans-title=The Being Within}}</ref> ''Rutu Sankramana'' into Kannada by Dr Geeta Shenoy and Telugu (''Rutu Sankramanam'') by Ranganatha Rao;<ref name=":20">{{Cite book |last=Prabhu |first=Gokuldas |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.language.0354/mode/2up |title=Rutu Sankramana |publisher=Konkani Language and Cultural Foundation World Konkani Centre |year=2013 |location=Mangalore, India |page=Back cover |language=kn |translator-last=Shenoy |translator-first=Dr Geetha |trans-title=ಋತು ಸಂಕ್ರಮಣ ಮತ್ತು ಇತರ ಕಥೆಗಳು}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2 April 2013 |title=Bangalore: Two translated short story books released |url=https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=169208 |access-date=4 April 2025 |work=Daijiworld}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=4 December 2017 |title=సమకాలీన కొంకణి కథలు |url=https://www.sakshi.com/news/guest-columns/telugu-translated-book-ruthu-sankramanam-958047 |access-date=19 August 2025 |work=Sakshi}}</ref> ''and Prithivai Namah'' into Kannada (''Prithvige Namana'' ) by Shakuntala Kini.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Prabhu |first=Gokuldas |title=प्रथिवै नम |publisher=Konkani Language and Cultural Foundation World Konkani Centre. |year=2016 |location=Mangalore, India |language=kn |translator-last=Kini |translator-first=Shakuntala R. |trans-title=ಪೃಥ್ವಿಗೆ ನಮನ}}</ref>

===Activism and organizational roles===
Prabhu has held several leadership positions in Konkani literary organizations. He served as the President of the 14th Akhil Bharatiya Konkani Sahitya Sammelan held at [[Porvorim]], [[Goa]], in April 2001, which was inaugurated by [[Gulzar]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=केरळ, कर्नाटकांतल्यान व्हडा संख्येन प्रतिनिधी येतले |trans-title=Delegates to arrive in large numbers from Kerala and Karnataka |work=सुनापरान्त (Sunaparant Daily) |language=Konkani |publication-place=Madgaon, Goa, India |publication-date=20 April 2001}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=कोंकणी ही एक समृद्ध भास तिका कोणेच ल्हान लेखची न्हय |trans-title=Konkani is a rich language. No one shall ignore it. |work=सुनापरान्त |page=1 |language=Konkani |publication-place=Madgaon, Goa, India |publication-date=22 April 2001}}</ref> He has also been a member of the General Council of the [[Sahitya Akademi]] in New Delhi and is associated with the World Konkani Centre in [[Mangalore]].<ref name="Daijiworld2014" />

In 2014, he was elected as the President of the [[Akhil Bharatiya Konkani Parishad]] for the 2014–2016 term, taking charge during the 29th session in [[Belgaum]].<ref name="Daijiworld2014" /> He was subsequently re-elected as president for the 2016–2020 term during an election held at the [[Institute Menezes Braganza]] in [[Panaji]].<ref name="TheGoan2016">{{Cite web |title=Gokuldas elected president of Akhil Bharatiya Konkani Parishad |url=https://www.thegoan.net//gokuldas-elected-president-of-akhil-bharatiya-konkani-parishad/14515.html |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=The Goan |date=2016-04-05}}</ref>

He continues to be active in literary circles, moderating sessions on Konkani language and culture. In 2020, he moderated a national-level virtual symposium for "Konkani Manyatha Dees",<ref name="DH2020">{{Cite news |title=Work begins on two sophisticated Konkani dictionaries |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/work-begins-on-two-sophisticated-konkani-dictionaries-877384.html |access-date=2025-12-08 |work=Deccan Herald |date=2020-08-24}}</ref> and in November 2024, he chaired a session on "Culture and Reading in Konkani" at the World Konkani Literature Festival held in Mangaluru.<ref name="TOI2024">{{Cite news |title=Vishwa Konkani Awards 2024: Celebrating excellence in Konkani culture and literature |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangaluru/vishwa-konkani-awards-2024-celebrating-excellence-in-konkani-culture-and-literature/articleshow/114944832.cms |access-date=2025-12-08 |work=The Times of India |date=2024-11-04}}</ref>

== Works ==

=== As writer ===

# ''Prithivai Namah'', published in 1986, is a novelette depicting rural life and nature.<ref name=":202">{{Cite book |last=Prabhu |first=Gokuldas |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.language.0354/mode/2up |title=Rutu Sankramana |publisher=Konkani Language and Cultural Foundation World Konkani Centre |year=2013 |location=Mangalore, India |page=Back cover |language=kn |translator-last=Shenoy |translator-first=Dr Geetha |trans-title=ಋತು ಸಂಕ್ರಮಣ ಮತ್ತು ಇತರ ಕಥೆಗಳು}}</ref>
# ''Antar Āyāmi'' is a collection of short stories published in 1991.<ref name=":202" />

=== As editor ===
Prabhu edited an [[anthology]] of essays, ''Konkani Chaḷvaḷ Āni Mādhav Manjunāth Shānbhāg'', in 2005.<ref name=":202" />

=== As translator ===

# ''Chavki'', published in 1997, is a translation of [[M. T. Vasudevan Nair|M. T. Vasudevan Nair's]] ''[[Naalukettu (novel)|Naalukettu]].<ref name=":15">{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/konkanilanguage0000drvn/page/106/mode/2up |title=The Konkani Language: Historical and Linguistic Perspectives |publisher=Sukrtīndra Oriental Research Institute |year=2012 |editor-last=Bhat |editor-first=Dr V. Nithyanantha |edition=2nd |location=Kochi, India |pages=106 |editor-last2=Bai |editor-first2=Dr L. Suneetha}}</ref><ref name=":202" />''
# ''Kaaḷ'', a translation of [[M. T. Vasudevan Nair|M. T. Vasudevan Nair's]] ''[[Kaalam (novel)|Kaalam]],'' was published in 2010''.''<ref name=":202" />
# ''Sūfīn Sāṅgillī Kāṇī'' is a translation of [[K. P. Ramanunni]]'s novel ''[[Sufi Paranja Katha|Soofi Paranja Katha]]'' (2009).<ref name=":202" />

==Awards and accolades==
Prabhu has received numerous awards for his contributions to Konkani literature:
* 1993: Dr. [[T. M. A. Pai]] Foundation Award for his short story collection ''Antraayami''.<ref name="Daijiworld2014" />
* 1994: [[Sahitya Akademi Award]] for ''Antraayami''.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" />
* 2002: [[Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize]] for ''Chavki'' (translation of ''Naalukettu'').<ref name="Daijiworld2014" />
* 2005: Kullagar Award.<ref name="Daijiworld2014" />
* 2010: Shyam R. S. Kakodkar Translation Award from the Konkani Kala Sahitya Kendra for ''Soofeen Saangil’li Kaanni''.<ref name="Daijiworld2014" />
* 2019: Gaurav Prashasti by [[Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy]]<ref>{{Cite news |title=केरळ, कर्नाटकांतल्यान व्हडा संख्येन प्रतिनिधी येतले |trans-title=Delegates to arrive in large numbers from Kerala and Karnataka |work=सुनापरान्त (Sunaparant Daily) |language=Konkani |publication-place=Madgaon, Goa, India |publication-date=20 April 2001}}</ref><ref name=":142">{{Cite news |date=21 February 2020 |title=Konkani Sahitya Academy to celebrate silver jubilee on February 22, 23 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/konkani-sahitya-academy-to-celebrate-silver-jubilee-on-february-22-23/article30874447.ece |access-date=7 April 2025 |work=The Hindu}}</ref>

He also served as the reception president for the All India Konkani Writers’ Conference held in [[Kochi]] in 1996.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category inline}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Prabhu, Gokuldas}}
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Writers from Kochi]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sahitya Akademi Award in Konkani]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sahitya Akademi Prize for Translation into Konkani]]

Gokuldas Prabhu - Revision history

BrittScotto5 at 12:21, 5 January 2026