Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jan 5: The poetry collection Poems of Jayalakshmi S Jokatte by Mumbai-based poet Jayalakshmi S Jokatte was released on her birthday, Saturday, January 3, at the SDM Law College auditorium in Mangaluru.
The event was jointly organised by the Dakshina Kannada District Kannada Sahitya Parishad and Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Law College, Mangaluru.
Presiding over the function, former president of the Dakshina Kannada District Kannada Sahitya Parishad, Pradeep Kumar Kalkoor, said, “Poems born out of life experiences succeed in touching the hearts of readers. Jayalakshmi did not write poetry merely for publication, and that is why her verses retain their depth and authenticity. In Mumbai, several university Kannada departments and cultural organisations strive to keep Kannada vibrant. They also bring out Kannada monthly magazines. I have participated in many such programmes and am always impressed by the passion for Kannada in Mumbai. I hope Srinivas Jokatte, her husband, continues to contribute actively to literature, moving forward despite personal grief.”
Dr M P Srinath, president of the Dakshina Kannada District Kannada Sahitya Parishad, said, “It is heartening that Jayalakshmi’s cherished poetry collection is being released on her birthday through the Parishat platform. It is also a moment of sadness that she is not with us today. I have known her husband, Srinivas Jokatte, an active journalist in Mumbai, for over three decades. We will never forget the literary community there, including university Kannada departments, and I admire the dedication and patriotism of Kannada lovers in Mumbai.”
Chief guest Dr Meenakshi Ramachandra, senior writer and lecturer from Mangaluru, added, “After two decades, I am on stage again with Srinivas Jokatte. Today is a mixture of joy and sorrow. I will read and reflect on all of Jayalakshmi’s poems. Life demands that we move forward with courage, leaving grief behind. I hope the days ahead are full of hope.”
Speaking about the collection, Jayalakshmi’s husband, Srinivas Jokatte, said, “Jayalakshmi had been passionate about poetry for 17–18 years and had published poems in several Kannada periodicals. She would send her poems to critic Sunanda Prakash Kadame for feedback. Since Kadame preserved the poems on her computer without deleting them, this collection became possible. Later, Jayalakshmi focused more on my writings, giving them greater importance.”
Manjunath S Revankar, president of the Mangaluru taluk Kannada Sahitya Parishad, also congratulated the poet on the release of her collection.
During the programme, her poem Madhubana–Malegaana was recited by critic Halemane Rajashekar Ujire. The event was welcomed by senior journalist Raymond D’Cunha Takode, and tributes were offered by writer Aruna Nagaraj.
The programme was compered by Halemane Rajashekar Ujire.