Innocent Sousa

Innocent Sousa (1879-1962) was a Bombay-based poet and writer of Goan origin, who wrote in the English language and got his work published in the early 20th century. He is mentioned in The Golden Treasury of Indo-Anglian Poetry: 1828-1965[1] and listed, early on among Indian writers in English, in the books-received section of the 1912-founded Poetry journal.[2]

Innocent Sousa
Innocent Sousa, Bombay-born Goan writer in English of the early 20th century
BornInocencio Antonio Mariano De Sousa
(1879-07-26)26 July 1879
Bombay, India
Died31 July 1962(1962-07-31) (aged 83)
OccupationBetter known as a poet. Worked for the Indian Post in Bombay (Now Mumbai), later Poona and was finally posted as a Dy. Postmaster General Belgaum, just before he retired.
LanguageWrote in English. Native language: probably Konkani and/or Portuguese
Alma materSt Xavier's College, Bombay
GenrePoetry, creative writing
Relatives
Parents
  • Luis Gabriel Anthony de Sousa (father)
  • Esmeralda de Sousa (mother)

Current recognition

A hundred years later, mention of his work can still be found in cyberspace, though the actual texts are not easily accessible. The poet has also not been adequately understood in his own home-state of Goa.[3]

Both prose and poetry

Innocent Sousa has been listed under both the prose as well as the poetry sections in a study conducted by the University Libraries University of Washington Research Guide[4] on South Asian literature in English for the Pre-Independence period.. This was undertaken initially compiled by Irene Joshi.

In global listing

Sousa is said to have been listed among the top 500 living poets of the world in a book published by Mitre Press, London in 1932, titled Principal Poets of the World Volume I [1] 1930-31.[5]

Other publications

His other publications include:

  • Radha: a romance, and other Indian tales. Bombay: Taraporevala, 1904. 113 p.;
  • Radha, a Hindu belle. Bombay: New Book Co., 1939. 151 p.; Rev. ed. of Radha, a romance.
  • The Clarks, and other post office tales. Bombay: n.p., 1923.
  • Uncle Roland: or looking for a wife. Bombay: Taraporevala, 1906. 156 p.
  • Beautiful Bombay and other story poems. Bombay: New Book Co., 1938. 56 p.
  • The maid of the hill. London: A.H. Stockwell, 1929.
  • The Fascination of the Dance, and Other Tales. Bombay: Taraporewala
  • A Guide to Goa, with a brief history of Goa, and the Life of St. Francis Xavier. Bombay: Hosang T. Anklesaria.
  • Twixt Night and Morn. London: Drane, London
  • Included in anthologies: The Spring Anthology, 1930 (The Mitre Press).

Work mentioned

Five of Innocent Sousa's books are mentioned on amazon.co.uk, but with the mention that the books "are not currently available".[6]

References
  1. Gokak, Vinayak Krishna (2006). The Golden Treasury of Indo-Anglian Poetry ; 1828-1965 (English). Sahitya Academy. pp. 350–351.
  2. "Books Received". Poetry Foundation (via Jstor). JSTOR 20577300. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. Noronha, Frederick. "How Many Goans Does It Take..." The Navhind Times. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  4. "Research Guide on South Asia. Pre-Independence Period". University Libraries. University of Washington. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  5. Sousa, Joseph. "Online posting in the Goa Book Club". goa-book-club on Googlegroups. Goa Book Club. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  6. "5 results for "innocent sousa"". amazon.co.uk. Amazon-UK. Retrieved 1 March 2017.


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