Shankar Ramani

Shankar Ramani (26 June 1922 – 28 November 2003) was an eminent Indian poet from Goa who wrote in both Konkani and Marathi. He is regarded as an eclectic and significant figure in Konkani literature, particularly for his contributions to the development of the modern Konkani poem.

Early life and education Ramani was born on 26 June 1922 in Verem, Bardez, Portuguese Goa. He had previously received a literary award from the Kala Academy in 1975. Maharashtra Rajya Puraskar: His collection Abhalwata was awarded the Kavi Keshavsut Puraskar by the Government of Maharashtra in 1968. He was also a recipient of the Maharashtra Rajya Puraskar (Maharashtra State Award) for his Marathi poetry. Other award-winning collections include Pallan, Darpaniche Deep, Garbhagarh, and Brahmakamal.

Personal life Professionally, Ramani worked for the river navigation department prior to the liberation of Goa, eventually serving as an Administrative Officer in the River Navigation Department of the Government of Goa before his retirement in 1980.

Ramani was initially married to Kamal, who died in 1973. He then married Leelabai.

Death Ramani died on 28 November 2003.

Legacy Ramani's life and work were memorialized in a documentary film titled Zaad Nirakar, directed by Dnyanesh Moghe.

In 2022, the Vengurlekar Fine Art Centre in Panaji organized Chitranjali, an exhibition of paintings by 12 Goan artists based on Ramani's poems to commemorate his birth centenary. Participating artists included Sanjay Harmalkar, Laxman Chari, Deepak Chari, Shivprasad Kinalekar, Mahesh Vengurlekar, Siddharth Gaitonde, Kranti Chari, Sagar Naik Mule, Deepak Gad, Dilesh Hazare, and Nirupa Naik. In 2023, further celebrations were held across Goa and Maharashtra to commemorate the centenary of his birth, highlighting his enduring influence on Konkani and Marathi letters.