Mangaluru: The Mathias Family Poetry Award – 2025, instituted by the Kavita Trust, has been 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 ₹25,000, along with a souvenir and certificate.

The award will be presented by renowned Konkani writer and Jnanpith Award-winning author Damodar Mauzo during the 20th Poetry Festival, scheduled to be held at Mother Teresa Peace Park, St. Aloysius (Deemed to be University), on January 11, 2026.

A distinguished literary journey

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.

Awards and recognition

In 2001, his Kannada short story Kadadi won first prize at the Karnataka State-Level Kannada Story Competition. Beyond writing, Vally Vagga has been a committed activist for the Konkani language. He served as the first Joint Secretary and later as President of the Konkani Christian Association, Mysuru, and was also a member of the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy.

His accolades include:

  • Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Honorary Award (2010)
  • Konkani Kuttam Bahrain Award (2012)
  • Daiji Dubai Award (2019)
  • Sandesha Sahitya Award (2020)
  • Karnataka Rajyotsava Award (2020), including ₹1 lakh cash prize and a 20-gram gold medal

In 2020, the Department of Information and Public Relations, Government of Karnataka, produced a documentary highlighting his literary contributions.

About the award

The Mathias Family Poetry Award was instituted by Joseph Mathias of Kuppepadavu, Managing Director of Merit Freight Systems LLC, Dubai, in honour of his family. So far, the award has been presented to poets from Goa, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. Vally Vagga is the 18th recipient of this prestigious honour.