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{{Short description|Indian poet (1948–2021)}}
{{Infobox writer
| name = Prakash Damodar Padgaonkar
| image = Prakash padgaonkar-Konkani Vishwakosh.jpg
| birth_date = {{birth date|1948|12|4|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Mumbai]], India
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2021|4|29|1948|12|4|df=y}}
| death_cause = [[COVID-19]]
| occupation = [[Poet]], administrator
| language = [[Konkani language|Konkani]], [[Marathi language|Marathi]]
| spouse = Sanjeevi
| children = 4
| notable_works = ''Hanv Monis Ashwatthamo''<br />''Uzvaddachim Pavlam''<br />''Vascoyan''
| awards = [[Sahitya Akademi Award]] (1986)<br />Dr. T.M.A. Pai Foundation Best Book Award (2005)<br />Rajya Sanman (2007)
}}
'''Prakash Damodar Padgaonkar''' (4 December 1948 – 29 April 2021) was an Indian poet known for his works in the [[Konkani language]]. He also wrote poetry in [[Marathi language|Marathi]]. He was a recipient of the [[Sahitya Akademi Award]] in [[Konkani language|Konkani]].

==Early life and education==
Padgaonkar was born on 4 December 1948 in [[Mumbai]], India. His parents were Damodar and Vijaya. He was raised in a [[Dalit]] family and faced poverty and significant hardships during his childhood.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999">{{cite wikisource |last1=Naik |first1=Pundalik |author-link1=Pundalik Naik |editor-first1=Tanaji |editor-last1=Halarnkar |editor-link1=Tanaji Halarnkar |others= |title=Konkani Vishwakosh |trans-title=Konkani Encyclopaedia |wslink=Page:Konkani Viswakosh Vol2.pdf/720 |type= |edition= |series= |pages=720 |volume=2 |year=1999 |publisher=[[Goa University]] |location=Goa |language=gom |wslanguage=gom }}</ref>

He completed his schooling through the Marathi medium at the Mushtifund School in [[Panaji]], and through the Portuguese medium at the Masanu de Amorin School. He later pursued higher education by attending evening classes at the Dhenpe College of Arts and Science.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" /> He held a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree.<ref name="DaijiworldObit21">{{Cite news |title=Prakash Padgaonkar to preside over Konkani Sahitya Sammelan |url=https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=287936 |access-date=2025-12-04 |work=Daijiworld |date=2015-01-03}}</ref>

==Career==
Padgaonkar worked in the administrative department of the [[All India Radio]] (AIR) center in Panaji from 1968 to 1974. Later, he served as a manager for [[MMTC Ltd]] in the city of [[Vasco da Gama, Goa|Vasco da Gama]].<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" /> He was also a former member of the Advisory Committee of AIR Panaji.<ref name="DaijiworldObit21" />

In the literary sphere, Padgaonkar served as the President of the Konkani Lekhak Sangh Goa. In 2003, he headed the Reception Committee of the 16th All India Konkani Literary Conference. Later, he was elected to preside over the 22nd All India Konkani Sahitya Sammelan held in [[Kozhikode]], [[Kerala]], in February 2015.<ref name="DaijiworldObit21" />

==Literary work==
Padgaonkar was an active poet for over four decades. His poetry is noted for its restrained emotion, use of symbolism and imagery, and the exploration of eternal life values.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" /><ref name="DaijiworldObit21" /> His work was the subject of doctoral research by Dr. Chandralekha D'Souza at [[Goa University]].<ref name="DaijiworldObit21" />

He published several collections of poetry, including:<ref name="DaijiworldObit21" /><ref name="Vishwakosh1999" />
* ''Uzvaddachim Pavlam'' (Steps of Light) (1976)
* ''Vascoyan'' (1977)
* ''Hanv Monis Ashwatthamo'' (I am Man Ashvatthamo) (1985)
* ''Kavita: Kaal- relvecho, mon harshancho, pavsa-panyancho'' (1993)
* ''Sorg ghodpak dhortorencho'' (1994)
* ''Vhaunti nhai kallachi'' (2003)
* ''Brahmand- yogi chirantanacho'' (2008)
* ''Punararthopnishad'' (2014)

His works have been translated into English and various other Indian languages. He cited the senior poet [[Bakibab Borkar]] as a mentor and noted the philosophical influence of Shri Arvind on his personal development.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" />

==Awards and honors==
Padgaonkar's literary contributions were recognized with various awards:
* 1986: [[Sahitya Akademi Award]] for his collection ''Hanv Monis Ashwatthamo''.<ref name="TOICovidDeath21">{{Cite news |title=Goa loses two of its cultural ambassadors to Covid-19 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/goa-loses-2-of-its-cultural-ambassadors-to-covid-19/articleshow/82335309.cms |access-date=2025-12-04 |work=The Times of India |date=2021-05-01}}</ref>
* 2005: Dr. T.M.A. Pai Foundation Best Book Award for ''Vhaunti Nhai Kallachi''.<ref name="DaijiworldObit21" />
* 2007: Goa State Reward 'Rajya Sanman' for Cultural Excellence.<ref name="DaijiworldObit21" />
*2009–10: State Cultural Award for Cultural Excellence in the Field of Literature.<ref name="DaijiworldObit21" />

He also received State Awards from the [[Kala Academy]] and the [[Konkani Bhasha Mandal]] (Goa) for his works ''Uzvaddachim Pavlam'' and ''Vascoyan''.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" /><ref name="DaijiworldObit21" />

==Personal life and death==
He was married to Sanjeevi. The couple had four children: three daughters and one son.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" />

Padgaonkar died on 29 April 2021 due to [[COVID-19]].<ref name="TOICovidDeath21" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Padgaonkar, Prakash}}
[[Category:1948 births]]
[[Category:2021 deaths]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sahitya Akademi Award in Konkani]]
[[Category:Poets from Goa]]
[[Category:Writers from Mumbai]]
[[Category:Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in India]]

Prakash Padgaonkar - Revision history

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