Udupi : Kavita Fest 2010 - It's Victory for Konkani Poetry at Barkur


Udupi : Kavita Fest 2010  - It's Victory for Konkani Poetry at Barkur

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Pics by Wilson Kayyar

Udupi, Barkur, Jan 11:  “Poetry, the heart of the language, can open our eyes, make us sensitive to issues around us, connect us to people, make us more humane and bring us close to reality.  In today’s depraved society only poetry offers us a ray of hope and can save us from any eventuality.  Poetry is human possibility”, opined eminent Kannada littérateur and lyricist Jayant Kaikini.  He was speaking as the Chief Guest at the Kavita Fest 2010 held at Moodhadu Kudru, Barkur, amidst the pristine and rustic charm of Barkur.  

The courtyard of Richard D Souza, on the banks of the Sita River thee was a festive atmosphere akin to that of a marriage house as the traditional mantap complete with stage, gave such a feeling as one entered the courtyard.  The milieu of the river overlooking the courtyard surrounded by a vast expanse of coconut trees from all sides was just apt for the occasion, to recite poetry and for listeners to just soak in its impact.   The connoisseurs of poetry could not have asked for a more idyllic setting to get lost in the new world created by the poet by his clever disposition of words and situations. What mattered most was the active participation of the people of all ages in the poetry festival in large numbers who also displayed the same energy levels till the end.   

Such an ideal setting and also the enthusiasm of the people must have certainly provided an impetus to the poet in Jayant Kaikini who equated poetry to the honey collected by the bees and said “just like the nectar collected by human beings does not turn into honey information will not become poetry unless it becomes an integral part of our body and we should evolve with it.  Poetry should be the only religion known to mankind.  We lose poetry if we go on searching for ideological reasons for everything we do.  When we become humanized then poetry leads us to create”.  

Lamenting the present condition of the society Kaikini stated that 25 years ago ours was a country of corrupt youth and now ours is a country of corrupt parents as the same corrupt youth have now become parents.  He pointed out that there are two types of writers namely those who want to be a part of literary history and those who want to be part of human history.  “I would like to be a writer who can be a related to people, who write human history”. 




















Giving an example of noted Kannada poet D R Bendre,  Kaikini pointed out that Bendre used poetry to deal with the utter misfortunes of his life and  to get strength at the crucial stage of his life when he was saddled with personal tragedy of worst kind.  “Poetry is what happens to the writer when he writes.  One is a poet only when he writes and it is not anything that can be preconceived to be written at any other time”, he asserted.  Praising the organizers and the connoisseurs of poetry who had assembled in vast number Kaikini stated that credit should go to Kavita Trust for attracting people to Kavita Fest.  “It is a victory to poetry”, he asserted.  

Anant Amembal, who was the guest of honour on the occasion, pointed out that the glow on the faces of the people assembled at the Kavita Fest 2010.  “Poetry is awakening and sometimes even silence communicates”. Giving an example of making poetry as part of the curriculum to MBBS students in the 1940’s in England he said “A holistic treatment is possible through poetry which necessitated learning poetry by would-be doctors”.   He also emphasized that language is not a barrier to understand the essence of poetry.  “Sometimes we take language for granted which acts as an impediment in understanding poetry.  Poetry is awakening.  It can touch the innermost feelings of people”, he pointed out.   

Joseph Mathias, who was also the guest of honour and sponsor of the Mathias Family Poetry Award 2009, said that the future of Konkani is in the hands of youngsters who need to use the language in their day to day life to carry forward the torch of the language.

Melvyn Rodrigues, president of Kavita Trust in his introductory speech said that the Trust has been working for the promotion of Konkani poetry in the right earnestness.  “We are giving a befitting reply to those who always write obituary of Konkani”, he stated.  

The entire day was filled with activities related to poetry.  The morning session of the programmme was inaugurated by educationist and Administrator of Manipal Academy of General Education H Shantharam and Hemacharya, editor, Daijiworld Weekly, in the presence of office bearers of Kavita Trust, The Expresions and Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, who had jointly organized the programme.  Inaugurating the Kavita Fest 2010 H Shantharam credited Roman Catholics for the development of Konkani language and bringing it to the present status it enjoys.  “Konkani language is saved because Roman Catholics used it in the churches in the prayers and other activities”, he stated.  He further added that the combination of literature, culture and poetry leads to the development of the society and lauded the efforts of Kavita Trust in providing a new impetus to the promotion of Konkani through Kavita Fest.  

Kishoo Barkur, secretary of Kavita Trust welcomed the guests. Folk dance by Babanna Naik and Group, Kebikere, Yadtadi soon after the inauguration set the mood for the much serious symposium on “Why I write poetry”.  Speakers H M Pernal and Prakash Parienkar provided their inputs on the topic and Andrew L D Cunha moderated the symposium.  It led to a vibrant discussion on questions ranging from poetry being a language of heart, whether the poet is born or made, and poet a social reformer etc.  Both the speakers provided enough food for thought before pre-lunch session.  

Post-lunch session began with the much awaited youth poetry session with 16 youngsters mostly from Mangalore and Goa presenting their poems on a range of topics which showed that these youngsters hold the future of Konkani.  The youth poetry session has been a revelation as  many promising poets in the making showed glimpses of their talent  to write poetry. Poet Lloyd Rego (Elyer Taccode) presided over the youth poetry session.  

Another keenly anticipated event of the day was the stage programme as the assembled crowd was waiting eagerly to listen to the celebrity poet Jayant Kaikini, who did not fail to live up to the expectations of the people.   He released Antony Barkur’s Anthology of poems “Kat Tutcho vel” and also presented the Mathias Family Poetry Award 2009 to Leo D Souza.  Flavia Mathias gave away the late Charles and Theresa Rodrigues Memoral awards to winners of All India Children’s poetry competition to Pradnya Kamath, Kavita Fondekar and Punita Naik, all from Goa.  

The multi-lingual poetry session was presided by Hanumant Chopdekar had poets in Konkani, Tulu, Kannada and Byari languages presenting their poems much to the delight of the assembled audience who savored them with rapt attention and expressed their happiness with thunderous applause.  
















At the end of the day, music by the members of The Expressions entertained the audience with some foot taping Konkani songs to signal the end of the day long event. Eric Soans, Barkuer, was the Master of Ceremony of the entire programme.  

The programme which began at 10 in the morning came to an end only at 8 pm.  But the assembled gathering never exhibited any fatigue or boredom. Instead there was a glow of satisfaction on their faces.  The credit certainly goes to Kavita Trust and other organizers who toiled hard for days together.  Credit also goes to the host Richard D Souza and family who had made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the Kavita Fest. 

  

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Comment on this article

  • Renuka birje, Goa ,H.no-2897Chandrawado fatorda margao goa

    Fri, Jun 18 2010

    It was very good experience ,organisation commite was helful ,more interst developed to write kavita in diff langages next year i be verry happy if youll welcome .

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  • priyanka Rodrigues, Hong kong

    Tue, Apr 27 2010

    Congratulations, we are appriciate to all those who participated in Kavita fest 2010

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  • TONY FERROS, JEPPU

    Fri, Jan 15 2010

    `BOLKANV’ AT KAVITA FEST After lunch, we some friends from Konkani literature field – Lancy Pinto Nayak, Ron Roche Cascia, Vally Vagga, Herolpeus, Vincy Pinto Angelore, HM pernal, Praveen Tauro kulshekar, Vitory karkal, Wilson kateel (Ref photo album) - had a `BOLKANV’ session (not a part of kavita fest). It was a meeting of veteran writers with young writers. The best thing was that, an informal & `OPEN’ discussion took place, without any hesitation from all. We openly discussed about constructive criticism, progressive thinking, poetry etc,which we can not expect all the time from a stage where our veteran writers tide themselves with constrained thinking so as to compromise with others. I wish, the same OPEN thinking shall grow in the future, whether it’s a stage or a private meet like above.

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  • Joe Martis , Moodahadu Kudru/USA

    Thu, Jan 14 2010

    Congratulations to Anthony,Melwin,Richard,my good friend Kishoo & Kavita Trust Organisers. You have done commendable job,such a huge event. You have truly written my native Moodahadu kudru all over India and round the Globe. Never was it known, one fine day history will be written in Kudru. Go & spread sky is the limit. Am Proud of all of you. Best wishes, Joe.

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  • Arun Soz , Palimar / Riyadh

    Thu, Jan 14 2010

    Kavi Zavn Kavitha Zali va Kavitha thavn Kavi Ubzalo! Hen Fest Dekthana Ho Zomo Polevn Thoree Kavee Ubzotholo Kondith.. Hats up Melvyn, Your team Kavitha Trust has done superb job. Young Poets.. Nice Programmed... Well organized. Keep it up

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  • Carol Martis, Kuwait

    Thu, Jan 14 2010

    Congrats!!! Melwyn, for organizing such a wonderful event of 'Kavita Fest 2010'. I truly missed it. Good to see lots of new faces of Poets. I heard from many that the program was excellent. I hope in future will have more such useful programs. All the best to everyone.

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  • Dinesh, Pernal / Sharjah

    Thu, Jan 14 2010

    In today's fast track life, poetry can work as a pleasant break, a cool refresher. More prominently, poetry can carry out the necessary amendments to the world. We are lucky to have Kavitaa Trust to bring about changes in our community. May Kativaa Trust live long.

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  • James Fernandes, Barkur/USA

    Tue, Jan 12 2010

    "Bahuth Achcha Dialog Maara, ye Poet logo-ne" Kishoo, these folks gathered just 300 yards away where I took my first breath of this village non-polluted air. Young man, I admire your non-tiring enthusiasm. Mark my words, a Library, a University, a park or a Road will be named after you in the Barkur vicinity. Thanks to all those participants, especially the brilliant Poets, organizers, photographers, singers, dancers, and the host Riccha, for arousing my nostalgic childhood memories. Daijiworld, you have daijis in Barkur too.

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  • Donald Pereira, Belthangady/Mangalore

    Tue, Jan 12 2010

    Congratulations to Kavita Trust! I got a very good feedback of the Kavita Fest. I am quite disappointed to have missed this programme. It’s really great to see two extraordinary personalities - Jayanth Kaikini and HM Pernal - presenting worthy talks on the same platform. HM must has been the centre of attraction - due to his simple personality and exceptional delivery of ideas/views. I hope we are exposed to more of such fruitful, good programmes in the near future.

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  • ALWYN DANTHY, PERNAL/shirva

    Tue, Jan 12 2010

    I REALLY SALUTE THE ORGANISERS FOR SUCH A LOVELY PROGRAMME.I MISSED IT CHEE......!!!!

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  • RJ Avinash, Big92.7fm, Udupi/kundapur/mangalore

    Mon, Jan 11 2010

    hearty congratulations to the organisers. Jayanth Kaikini's presence has given increased its glory. Good luck for the next one.

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  • L.J.Dsouza, Brahmavar

    Mon, Jan 11 2010

    Very meaningful Kavita presented from all partcipants,congatulations to all, Barkur is a historical place, u made it proud.

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  • Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle/Dombivli

    Mon, Jan 11 2010

    Dear Melwyn, congratulations for organizing such a wonderful festival of poetry 'Kavita Fest 2010' in the cradle of nature at picturesque Moodahadu Kudru.

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  • Henry Lewis, Sastan/Kuwait

    Mon, Jan 11 2010

    Congratulations to the organisers of the KavitaFest, it is pleasent to have noted poets in moodahadu Kudru, creativity and hard work behaind the success of the event is appreciable.

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  • Robert Fernandes, Udyavar / Dubai

    Mon, Jan 11 2010

    Nice to see prominent / young poets and poetry lovers gathered for Kavita Fest 2010 in the serene surroundings of Moodhadu island, Barkur. Congratulations to Antony Barkur on the release of his maiden anthology of poems "Kaat Tutcho Vell". Kudos to Kavita Trust Team and Barkurians on the success of the event.

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  • elton sujith , Mangalore

    Mon, Jan 11 2010

    good one

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  • Averyl Rodrigues, Dubai

    Mon, Jan 11 2010

    Congratulations to the organizers... i missed it.

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Title: Udupi : Kavita Fest 2010 - It's Victory for Konkani Poetry at Barkur



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