Message: “Konkani is a sweet language. I have cherished and nourished it. The appreciation of my work by Konkani lovers has inspired and prompted me to dedicate my retired life for writing in Konkani. Let every one with Konkani mother tongue untidly work for the welfare of the community and live in brotherhood. May Konkani language be a uniting force among Konknis.”


A few have inherited the talent and art of writing while the others have achieved it by hard efforts and sheer practice. Mr J. F. D’Souza is one among those who have achieved the talent and art of writing by hard efforts and sheer practice.


Joachim Fredrick D’Souza popularly known by his pen name Jeffrey Kumar was born in Mangalore on August 29, 1943 to Mr Francis D’Souza, a mechanic at KEB, Attavar and Mrs Benedicta D’Souza, a housewife. The infancy of J. F. was like any other children of the time. After completing his elementary studies at St. Joseph’s Asylum School, Jeppu and High School studies at Milagres High School, Mangalore, he joined service in Forest Department in 1961 and got retired as Superintendent on 31-12-1999 completing 38 years of service. He married Tressy Pinto, a teacher in Govt. High School, in 1974 and is blessed with 2 children eldest being Nisha Jennifer married to John Patrick Menezes and youngest one Anup Desmond, Engineer working for TCS, Bangalore married to Anita Joyce Mascarenhas working for Infosys at Bangalore. Presently Mr J. F. D’Souza resides at ‘Twinkle’, Bishop’s Compound, Attavar, Mangalore – 575 002.


Joachim Fredrick started giving life to his pen by writing to Konkani newspapers and magazines such as Mithr, Jhelo, Kanas, Vishal Konkan etc. as early as 1960 under the pen name Jeffrey Kumar. Yet, his writing potential was in a dormant stage due to his responsibility to family needs and profession. Once he got retired in 1999, his brain cells became active, hand muscles and sinews became flexible to the thoughts.


He devoted most of his time and energy to writing articles and short stories. Editors of various Konkani papers were eager to publish his articles and short stories. The papers that carried his writings were Mithr, Jhelo, Raknno, Kutam, Divo, Dirvem, Sevak Amchi Mai, Aanj, Kajulo etc. His short stories for children are published in book form under following titles:


1. Bangarachi Masli (Golden Fish)
2. Bangarachem Chital (Golden Deer)


3. Bangarachi Kurad (Golden Axe)


Among these, Bangarachi Masli published in 2004 has won for him prestigious Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Award 2007.

He has written a number of letters to “Letters to the Editors” column, both in English and Kannada dailies under the pen name J. F. D’Souza, Attavar (English dailies like Times of India, The Hindu, Deccan Herald, The New Indian Express, Vijaya Times, Canara Times and Kannada dailies like Udayavani, Janavahini, Vijaya Karnataka, Kannada Prabha, Prajavani, Usha-Kiran, Hosa Digantha, Karavali Ale etc) and so far about 2000 letters have been published in these dailies on various issues mostly on civic problems.



His taste for poetry has prompted him to write in Tulu language. Nearly 70 poetries in Tulu language have been telecasted in CC India. He is the treasurer of Karnataka Konkani Literary Writers’ Forum and is the member of Editorial Board of the news bulletin ‘Milagres Milan’ of Milagres Parish, Mangalore. Mr J. F. D’Souza intends to publish a few more children short stories in a book form under Bangarachi series.

Konkaniworld.com, while congratulating Mr J. F. D’Souza for his yeomen contribution to Konkani, Kannada, English and Tulu literature wishes him every success in his further literary work and confers on him the prestigious title, Konkaniworld Super Star. May his tribe increase.

By: Rev. Dr Ronald Cutinha