Mangaluru: The Mathias Family Poetry Award- 2025, instituted by the Kavita Trust, will be conferred on noted Konkani-Kannada poet and short story writer Valerian D’Souza, popularly known by his pen name Vally Vagga. The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 25,000, along with a souvenir and certificate.

The award will be presented by renowned Konkani writer and Jnanpith Award-winning author Damodar Mauzo at the 20th Poetry Festival, to be held on Jan. 11 at Mother Teresa Peace Park, St. Aloysius (Deemed to be University) in Mangaluru.

Profile: Born on July 27, 1947, to Peter and Mary D’Souza in Vagga near Bantwal in Dakshina Kannada district, Valerian D’Souza began his literary journey at the age of seventeen with his first short story Soryavarvim Churchure, published in Raknno weekly. Over the past six decades, he has authored hundreds of poems and short stories, published across anthologies, magazines and digital platforms.

His notable poetry collections include Dongra Voili Vatt (2007) and Neketram (2013). His short story collections include Jinni Konnachem? (1966), Sot Ani Jivit (1967), Dhull (1990) and Khandi Khuris (2015). In Kannada, his collection Hegala Shilube was published by Abhiruchi Prakashan, Mysuru, in 2013.

His accolades include Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Honorary Award (2010), Konkani Kuttam Bahrain Award (2012), Daiji Dubai Award (2019), Sandesha Sahitya Award (2020) and Karnataka Rajyotsava Award (2020) among other awards.