Panchu Bantwal at Tallo Umaallo

"I am extremely happy thate Radio Sarang has chosen my song as signature tune for their Thaallo Umaallo," said Francis Saldhana, popularly known as Panchu Bantwal during Thaallo Umaallo live programme December 6.

Mr Panchu Bantwal is a writer, poet, emcee and businessmen from Mondakaup parish. He has contributed a lot for Konkani literature through dramas, literature and songs.

He said that it was his joy to be an artist in Konkani. “I have got a lot from Konkani and I am happy I am able to contribute something back to Konkani literature and music,” he added.

His Kalzagaaz is a popular number always chosen for competition by many participants. Apart from that, Laraam Mujya Mogachim, Mandela and many more songs have enriched Konkani music world. Till now he has written over 200 songs out of which over 30 are already part of many albums.

He is running a catering industry called Santhosh Caterers.

Mr Panchu said that in 1994 he got a second life. He met with a major accident near Maripalla while saving a girl. A Muslim took him to a hospital and donated his own blood and from other friends. He said he was in coma for six months.

He is also a panchayat member and has brought a lot of development in his area.

He was extremely happy that compering has given him name and fame.

Panchu born in 1966 and started to write since 1988 to Kannik, Jhello and many more periodicals. He has worked as sub editor for Kannik. He has bagged many prizes in literary competition.

In 1988 he started Thallo Umaallo nite, which had seven concerts. In 1989 his drama Matharyaki Horbos became very popular and is available in CD format too.

He edited Jhello monthly for six years. “Due to the ill health of my mother I had to discontinue from editing Jhello,” Mr Panchu said. At present he works as a sub editor of Veez e-magazine.

He has written five novels, over 350 poems, 150 short stories, and many other literary works.

He resides with wife Gretta and three children at Modankaup.

Many callers wished and asked questions with him.

- Roshan Crasta, Radio Sarang