Shennai Goem Bab is known as the Father of the Modern Konkani literature. He is considered and respected as the greatest Konkani writer and leader by all Konkani speaking people wherever they live. He was a man of great integrity and would never budge on the principles he cherished. His books, all written in his mother tongue Konkani and on Konkani have inspired generations of Konkani people. He was a pathfinder in modern Konkani literature.

 
His major works are significant for the painstaking research he has done and throw a great amount of light on the beginnings of the Konkani culture and heritage. He is also considered a pioneer in the standardisation process of the Konkani language. His Death Anniversary is observed as the 'Konkani Day throughout Konkani regions. In Goa, monuments are erected in his memory.
 
Born on June 23,1877 in a small village called Divchale in Goa in none too happy circumstances, Vaman could not even complete primary education in his native place as there was no school in the vicinity. Living with one of his relatives, he went to a primary school in a neighbouring village where he passed a Portuguese language examination with distinction. After primary education, he could not continue his studies and had to stay home for about three years. While at home, he took up study of English and Sanskrit. His paternal cousin Chintamanrao Valaulikar took him to Bombay where he completed his Matriculation in Girgaum in the year 1898.
 
From Bombay he returned to Goa and took up employment. Soon afterwards he got a job in the Karachi Municipality. Later on, he joined the German firm of Messers Meister Lucius Bruenig where he rose from the ranks and attained the highest post in the Company due to his hard work and integrity. He had to resign his job in the Company on a matter of principle. During the First World War, the Germans had to leave this country and go back to Germany leaving the operations of the Company in the hands of Shennai Goem Bab. After the War, the German firm conducted a world wide study of the operations of the their Company during the War, they found that only the Bombay Branch of the Company under the supervision of Shennai Goem Bab had thrived. This prompted the Germans to place so much faith in Shennai Goem Bab that all subsequent officers coming from Germany had to work under him at a lesser salary. This was a bitter pill to the Germans who conspired to lower the salary of Shennai Goem Bab. This angered him so much that he resigned his job in protest in 1926. He was drawing a salary of Rs. 2000 at that time. Thereafter, he devoted his full time for the development of his mother tongue, Konkani.
 
Though his writing career had begun in 1910, he devoted his full time in the service of Konkani from the year 1926 and continued to do so till his death on April 9, 1946. All his books display his mastery over the Konkani language and the history of the Konkani People. During this period, 33 of his books were published, 22 of them in the Devnagari script and 11 in Romi script. Several of his manuscripts have remained unpublished till today. A complete list of his published books is given below:
 
1. Goenkarancho Mumbaikar (1910) -A poetical play on the Goans residing in Bombay.

2. Goenkaranchi Goyeam Bhaili Vosnnuk (1928) -A work of deep study and research, it traces the history of the Goans who have migrated to other countries in search of livelihood.

3. Comantopanishad (1928, Vol. I)-This is a collection of some short stories called from his reading of Holy scriptures of various religions.

4. Konkani Bhashechem Zoit (1928) - A collection of his articles published in various periodicals.

5. Gomantopanishad (Col. 2, 1933) - This is a deep study on men and matters treated in an allegorical style and throws light on his philosophy of life called from his study of holy scriptures.

6. Bhurgeanio Eesht (1935) - Contains stories and essays for children

7. Mogachem Login (1938) -An adaptation of Moliere's famous play Le Medicin Malgre Lui

8. Konkanni PoUem Pustok (1939) A book for Konkani learners.

9. Punyatmo Ram Kamti (1939) - Life of a Goan Merchant and politician of the 18th Century.

10. Konkani Naadshastra (1940) - Comparative study of Dhwani (sound) of Konkani and other Indian languages.

11. Bhurgealem Vvakaronn (1941) -A study of Konkani Grammar in Question and Answer form fro children

12. Abbe Faria (1941) - the story of a Goan hero.

13. Levkar Odheokshalem Ulovp (1945) - Speech as Reception Committee Chairman during the Third All India Konkani Parishad held in Bombay in 1942.

14. Konkanni Mullavem Pustok (1947 - A primer for beginners.

15. Povnantlem Toplem (1948) - An adaptation of Moliere's L'avare

16. Konkanichi Vyakaronni Bandhavoll (1949) - An exhaustive study of Konkani Grammar.

17. Zilba Ranno (1950) - A comedy play

18. Albukerkan Goem Koshem Jiklem? (1955) His-torical study of Goa's conquest

19. Konkanni Videartheak (1958) - Selected speeches

20. Shree Bhagvantalem Geet (1959) - Translation of the Gita

21. Valipathanacho Sodh (1962) A historical research of some rock inscriptions.

22. Jadhucho Zunvo (1968) - Children story The above books were written in the Devnagari script. The following books based on Shakespearean plays were written in the Romi script:

23. Rajput Hamlet Ani Bapailem Bhoot

24. Gorea Bhailecho Kallo Ghov

25. Mudie Khatir Ghova Bhailenchem Zhogddem

26. Dhuvanchi Poriksha

27. Zunvllea Bhavancho Ghuspa Gondol

28. Agulleachem Nivallon

29. Ranniechem Zivem Bavllem

30. Ghatmaro Eesht

31. Bailechi Poriksha

32. Mogachea Piddechem Vokhad

33. Bhusmare Alebhav-Kolebhav
Shennai Goem Bab has enriched the Konkani literature with his genius. He has kindled love for the mother tongue among the Konkanis and has revived their self-respect for all that is Konkani. He rallied the Konkanis to throw away the yoke of the Portuguese suppression of Konkani language and culture. He deserves the highest honour that can be bestowed on a citizen.
(Compiled and Written by : J.B. Moraes, winner of the Sahitya Akademi Award for Konkani in 1985.) 
 
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