Mangalore: Renowned Konkani author Hema Naik interacts with city's literati

Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NM)

Mangalore, Aug 31: Well-known Konkani writer Hema Naik addressed a gathering of writers at Bishop’s House hall here on Saturday August 31 during ‘Meet the Author’ programme organized by Sahitya Akademi, Delhi in collaboration with Raknno Konkani Weekly.

Addressing the audience, Hema Naik spoke on her life and literature. She spoke about her childhood, adolescence, married life and womanhood and elaborated on how her writing evolved in the environment she lived in. Much of literary contributions are focused only on women.

Commenting on her feministic writings, she said that with age one becomes more mature. “In the later years, I have come across compassionate men. However, in the early days it was not so.” Interestingly, her recent novel ‘Bhogdandd’ did not have a feministic tag as the story does not criticize men.
 
Earlier, governing council member of Sahitya Akademi, Delhi, Gokul Das Prabhu delivered the introductory speech. In his address, he said that the facet of ‘women in society’ would not have been complete in Konkani literature without the contribution of Naik. “She attacked the feudal patriarchy and male chauvinism that prevailed through her early writings,” he said.
 
“Later, invoking and establishing trends of feminism in Konkani literature, Naik was also considered as the guiding light for young writers who rebelled and demanded change. Naik is not just a noted Konkani novelist but is also responsible for striking new wave thinking in Konkani literature,” added Prabhu. 
 
Sahitya Akademi Mumbai officer Krishna Kimbhavane welcomed and Fr Francis Rodrigues, editor, Raknno, proposed the vote of thanks. Writers and poets including Konkani poet Melvyn Rodrigues were present.