Media Release

Karkala, Aug 4: The Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy paid heartfelt tribute to its former president, the late Dr Jagadish Pai, during the inauguration of two literary events — ‘Sahitya Sambhram-2’ and ‘Kavyam Vhalo-5’ — held on August 3 at the Kalaanjali Vedike in the courtyard of veteran Konkani litterateur George Castelino’s residence at Nakre, Karkala.

At the start of the programme, former Academy member Arun G Shet offered condolence remarks in memory of Dr Jagadish Pai. Academy members, dignitaries, and the family members of the late Dr Pai — including his wife Dr Nanda J Pai and son — paid floral tributes before his portrait. Dr Nanda Pai spoke with deep emotion about her husband's life and literary contributions.

Academy president Joquim Stany Alvares, who presided over the event, delivered introductory remarks and recalled Dr Pai’s achievements and legacy.

'Sahitya Sambhram-2' and 'Kavyam Vhalo-5' programmes

In his presidential address, Academy president Joquim Stany Alvares said, “The celebration of literature must become a celebration of life. The sounds and colours of Konkani should echo everywhere. Moreover, we must also visit and honour our senior Konkani writers at their residences.”

The chief guest of the programme, Swami Fr Francis Lewis D’Souza, in his address, said, “Konkani should become an inseparable part of our lives. It should not just be a tool of use. While there are many who write in Konkani, readers are few. We all must pledge to read, value, and actively promote literature in our mother tongue.”

On this occasion, noted writer and expert in prosody Narayan S Gawade, known for his works on Ramayana in multiple languages, was felicitated.

A dialogue was held between veteran writer and Presidential Award-winning teacher George Castelino and young writer Elson D’Souza Harkanakere, where Castelino spoke engagingly about various aspects of his life and work.

As part of the 'Kavyam Vhalo-5' programme, a poetry session was conducted featuring renowned Konkani poets. The session was chaired by Lavita D’Souza of Nakre.

Poets who recited their works included Ramachandra Pai, Pramila Flavia (Karkala), Raghavendra Prabhu (Balkunje), Oswald Marian D’Souza, Dr Sumathi P, Prakash Martis, Kantavar Shivananda Shenoy, Robert Menezes (Kanjarkatte), Seema Kamath, and Prakash D’Souza (Ajekar).

Academy member-coordinators Dayanand Madkekar and Naveen Lobo were present. The programme was compered by Gerald Prakash Martis.