Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network- Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Jan 15: Kavita Fest, which has already gained global appreciation for nurturing Konkani poetry, was held at Bodhi Tree Farmhouse, Jeppu, Mangaluru on Sunday, January 14.
Well-known singer and 'Konkani Myna' Meena Rebimbus inaugurated the 12th Kavita Fest by strewing rose petals. Eminent writers Eddy Netto and J F D Souza Attavar and owner of Bodhi Tree, the Farm House Titus Noronha were present as honorary guests.
Charles Fernandes and Valley Quadras released their books of collection of poems during the Fest.
After the inauguration a poetry session was held. Renowned poets Antony Balkur, Smitha Shenoy, Wilson Kateel and Gaurish Verneker participated in this poetry session.
The final round of the Nelson and Lavina Rodricks - 4th Cha Fra D’Costa memorial Konkani poetry recitation competition for children and Rohan and Lavita Monteiro, 7th All India Konkani poetry recitation competition for youth was held during the fest.
An interactive session was held with poet and publisher, Valley Quadras. Andrew D'Cunha, trustee, Kavita Trust moderated the session.
In the closing ceremony, K T Gatti, renowned Kannada novelist and Basti Vaman Shenoy, president, Konkani language and cultural foundation, Kishore Gonsalves, president, Kavita trust, Averyl Rodrigues, secretary, Kavita trust were present on the dais.
In his speech K T Gatti said, "It is not easy to digest poetry. In every reading, it will open more and more. When reading some poems we feel they are close to us because they reflect our feelings or condole in our sadness. Renowned English poets William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who were responsible for Romantic Age in poetry, differed in their ideologies. But they published an anthology together. Usage of language for poems also decides whether the reader can digest the poem or not. In Kannada some evergreen poems are written but the language used in the poems is not allowing the reader to understand them easily. So you need time to understand them. Understanding poetry is experiencing a garden. There are flowers, there is beauty and there are so many things like fragrance and beauty. You need to see them in total, not as individual things,”
Addressing the gathering Basti Vaman Shenoy said, "Kavita trust is doing a very good job of taking care of our mother tongue irrespective of dialect, slang, script or region. This is the role model for all of us. We should work for our language sincerely. We have a great responsibility to pass the richness of our mother tongue to the next generation. We as seniors of the Konkani speaking community, always back these types of activities. The young generation of Konkani speaking people should also take the initiative and try to organize events like this which will take Konkani to greater heights."
During the event poet from Mumbai, Valley Quadras was bestowed with Mathias Family Poetry Award 2017. He was draped with a shawl, and given a memento, citation and Rs 25000 as the prize money. Victor Mathias introduced the poet. William Pais read the citation.
Valley Quadras in his speech thanked Kavita Trust and Konkani community for the support he received from them in his literary life. “I always thought I should not be given any award in my life as I felt working for Konkani is my duty. I wrote, published and worked in Konkani with the sole intention of loving my mother tongue. But when Kavita Puraskar came to me, I could not say no as I felt I am honoured. Melvyn Rodrigues has been always my role model. I believe I have lots to achieve in my literary life,”
Later the prizes were distributed to the winners of poetry recitating competition.
Rohan D'Souza Adkabare, Bajpe, Vruksha Karmali, Goa and Dattaraj Naik, Goa won the first, second and third prizes respectively in the youth category.
Sripad A Prabhu Dessai Goa, Frivita D'Souza Mangalore, Sarah D'Souza and Gautam Gaude won the consolation prizes.
In the children's category, Risha Vinal Martis, Kumble, Wencita Dias and Alrisha Rodrigues won the first, second and third prizes respectively, while Sarah Mathias, Mumbai, Mohammed Suhail, Bhatkal and Aldon D'Souza won the consolation prizes.
Poet Melvyn Rodrigues, founder-president of Kavita Trust proposed the vote of thanks.
Manoj Fernandes, popular TV anchor, compered the event.