Francis Saldanha, affectionately known as Panchu Bantwal, passed away on Saturday, July 6, at the age of 58. A prominent figure in the Konkani literary and cultural scene, Panchu Bantwal was the brother of Fr J B Saldanha. He was a celebrated writer, poet, emcee, and businessman from the Modankap parish.
Panchu Bantwal made significant contributions to Konkani literature through his works in drama, literature, and music. He served as the former editor of the ‘Jhelo’ monthly magazine for six years, demonstrating his dedication to promoting Konkani culture.
One of his most famous contributions to Konkani music is the song ‘Kalzagaaz’, a popular choice for competitions. His other notable songs, such as ‘Laraam Mujya Mogachim’ and ‘Mandela’, have enriched the Konkani music scene. Panchu Bantwal penned over 200 songs, more than 30 of which have been featured in various albums.
In addition to his literary achievements, Panchu Bantwal was an entrepreneur, running a successful catering business called Santhosh Caterers. He also served as a panchayat member, contributing to the development of his community.
His legacy in the literary world includes the launch of the ‘Thallo Umaallo’ nite in 1988, which featured seven concerts, and his popular 1989 drama ‘Matharyaki Horbos’. Panchu Bantwal authored five novels, over 350 poems, 150 short stories, and many other works.
Although he stepped down from editing ‘Jhelo’ due to his mother’s ill health, he continued to work as a sub-editor for the Veez e-magazine. Panchu Bantwal’s passing is a great loss to the Konkani literary community, and he will be remembered for his immense contributions and dedication to promoting Konkani literature and culture.