Media Release

Mangaluru, Dec 1: "Villages (gram sabhas) often possess abundant talent but sometimes lack the right platform to showcase it. Despite being a small village, Arva has consistently kept Konkani language, literature, and tradition, and culture alive. The fact that our Gumot team recently won a prize at the district level is proof of the talent flourishing here. Many young minds are blooming in poetry, singing, and other cultural activities. The arrival of Sahitya Akademi, the National Academy of Letters, in our village has further encouraged us and strengthened our wings,” said Fr Elias D’Souza, parish priest of St Peter Claver Church, Arva. He was speaking after inaugurating the Grama Lok programme organised by Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, and hosted by the ICYM unit of Arva at St Peter Claver School Auditorium.

Poet Melvyn Rodrigues, convenor of the Konkani Language Advisory Board and member of the executive council, Sahitya Akademi, and Natasha Mascarenhas, president of ICYM Arva unit, were present on the dais.

Gumot Maestro Walter Crasta and his team welcomed the gathering with a special gumot composition.

H M Pernal, member of the Konkani Language Advisory Board, delivered the welcome address and elaborated on the role of Sahitya Akademi in nurturing India’s 24 recognised languages, with special focus on rural India.

The presentation session of Grama Lok was presided over by Dr Wilma Laveena D’Souza. Vidya Nayak presented lyrical poems centred on Konkani cuisine and food culture, Walter Crasta spoke on the brief history of gumot songs and its future prospects, and Jasmine Crasta recited her poems. Dr Wilma presented her own poems on the theme of a war-torn world and the deep wounds inflicted on humanity.

Also present on the occasion were Leo Pereira, vice-president of the Parish Pastoral Council; Lawrence Pais, secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council; ICYM animator Ashmitha Priya D’Souza; and Ashwin Rodrigues, ICYM secretary.

Natasha Mascarenhas, president of ICYM Arva unit, proposed the vote of thanks.