Poet’s love for motherland made him not apply for passport

Jossy Edwin Pinto, Konkani poet and writer from Kinnigoli, was the guest for the Tallo Umaallo live programme on May 2, 2022. He is a rare poet who refused to go abroad even when opportunity beckoned, to such an extent that he didn’t even apply for a passport.

People call him as 'Poet of Love'. His poems flow like a stream of water having rhymes and continuity. His Penname is ‘Shanthipriya’. He has written over 100 poems, a novel called 'Chandrema' and other literally works too.

'Ganvngo Chedva Muzo Ganvngo' is his very popular poem which has been made into a popular Konkani song by Eric Ozario under the banner of Mandd Sobhan and sung by Popular singer Anup Jalota. The song has also bagged Louis Mascarenhas literary Award.

'Kenna Tori Aso Zavn' is his another popular composition. In his interview, he praised Mand Sobhan and particularly Mr Eric Ozario for giving life to his poems.

His anthology ‘Muzo Ganv’ has been published and the collections are mostly reflecting his native place and its pristine natural beauty.

At present he resides at Kinnigoly with wife and children. Mr Pinto is a leader and is active in many social activities. In his interview he said that he was interested in writing from a tender age. That too poetry writing was his favourite subject. His first poem was published in Udayavani weekly during his primary studies.

“My grandmother was inspiration for me. She used to tell me many stories. Those stories I gathered and published in Raknno weekly. So, her impact on me was one of the causes for me to become a poet,” he said.

“My brothers were working abroad. They were forcing me to join them. But I never wanted to work abroad. I was fascinated to work in my motherland. In order to escape from them I didn’t even apply for a passport,” added Mr Pinto with a hearty laughter.

“I had stopped writing for 15 years due to my other busy commitments. Recently, Poetica WhatsApp group created a platform for writing. The sleeping poet woke up again,” he said.

“A poem must give dual meanings. Direct and indirect or open and hidden meanings. Chafra, BV Baliga, Dr Prathap Naik SJ, JB Moraes are people who guided me in my writings. Even Fr Mark Walder too supported me a lot,” Mr Pinto opined.

Many callers interacted and wished Mr Pinto.

- Roshan Crastra, Radio Sarang