Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Dec 17: Iqbal Sayeedi, Konkani poet from Bhatkal has won the Kavita Trust's Mathias Family Poetry Award for the year 2014. This was announced by Melvyn Rodrigues, president of Kavita Trust in a press release here.
The award consists of Rs 10,000 in cash, memento and a citation. This will be conferred on the poet during Kavita Fest 2015, which will be held in Chowlikere, Barkur on January 11, 2015.
The award has been instituted by Joseph Mathias of Merit Freight Systems, Dubai in his family's name.
Born in the culturally vibrant town of Bhatkal in the 1950s, Iqbal Sayeedi went on to become an inventive poet known for his love for the advancement of the local Nawayath culutre, traditions, values and the language. His brother Payaam Sayeedi, who later became well-known for his lyrics in the Hindi film industry, instilled in Iqbal a love for the language and poetry early in life. His passion for poetry and the language was further stirred by the inspiring works of Allama Iqbal, Meer, Ghalib and Jigar Muradabadi. Armed with the knowledge, desire and the zeal of language and literature, he authored a number of well-known literary works, poems and ballads, the most notable among them being 'Mothiya Daney' in the Nawayati dialect of Konkani language.
Iqbal is regarded as an influential figure in the modern Nawayath society. His numerous poetries and essays have been published in many popular news portals like Salar, Inqalaab and local Nawayath news portal Naqsha-e-Nawayath. Considered as a foremost poet and philosopher, his writings have influenced the current generation.
Recently returned to India after living in Kuwait for over 37 years, Iqbal Sayeedi has witnessed first-hand the changing role of the arts and literature in various societies and cultures. During his time in Kuwait, Iqbal served as the general secretary of Bhatkal Muslim Association. His selfless engrossment in society, language and culutre and tradition was aired in Kuwait Radio, where Iqbal featured in a live radio interview. He has appeared in many international Mushaaira in Kuwait and is a prominent part of Nawayathi Mushaaira in Bhatkal.
Currently Iqbal is actively engaged with Nawayath Mehefil.
About the Award
This is seventh year since this award has been instituted by Kavita Trust. Aruna Rao from Mumbai, Leo D'Souza from Mangaluru, Kashinath Shamba Lolienkar from Goa, Shivananda Shenoy from Kochi, Dr Rajay Pawar and Yusuf A Sheikh from Goa have won this award on earlier occasions.