Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, July 13: “A novel may not be history, but it has the power to narrate and analyse it in meaningful ways,” said Dr Gananath Ekkar, president of the Dr Shivarama Karanth Trust, speaking at a literary event in Mangaluru that celebrated a monumental milestone in Konkani literature.
Dr Ekkar was the chief guest at the 75th anniversary celebration of Aanjel, the first Konkani novel written in the Kannada script, organised by the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy at Sandesha Hall on Sunday.
Aanjel — A literary and historical landmark
“History depends on documents, but a novel brings life and interpretation to historical events. Aanjel is not only an artistic creation but also a cultural milestone for Konkani literature,” Dr Ekkar said.
He added that true appreciation for any literature comes only through deep reading and serious engagement, and that a work like Aanjel serves as a beacon for young writers today. “Such books and the events celebrating them are essential for inspiring the youth, and they help pave the way for the expansion of literary traditions for generations to come,” he noted.
Training young writers is the need of hour
With Aanjel marking 75 years since its publication, Dr Ekkar emphasised the importance of training programmes in creative writing for students and youth.
“Literary development in Konkani hinges on guiding and nurturing the next generation of writers. The Academy must take initiative in this direction and support young minds in discovering their literary voice,” he urged.
Aanjel now available as an e-book
The e-book version of Aanjel was officially launched during the event. Fr Rocky D’Cunha, president of the Konkani Natak Sabha, who released the digital edition, paid tribute to the novel’s author, the late J S Alvares.
“J S Alvares was a remarkably gifted writer whose name remains deeply respected in Konkani literary circles. His novel Aanjel added depth to the language’s storytelling tradition and continues to inspire young readers and writers alike,” Fr D’Cunha said.
Event highlights & speakers
The event was presided over by Academy president Joachim Stany Alvares, with Monica Alvares, wife of the late author, attending as a special guest.
Other speakers and contributors included:
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Swapna Mae Crasta, who delivered the inaugural address.
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Richard Alvares, from Kulshekar, who spoke about the life and literary contributions of J S Alvares.
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Dr Dimple Fernandes, from Puttur, who offered an in-depth analysis of the novel Angel and its cultural significance.
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Karen, who digitised the book, spoke about the growing importance of e-books in today’s reading culture and accessibility for younger audiences.
The programme was compered by Vittori Karkala.
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