Pics: Joshwa D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru (JD)
Mangaluru, Nov 7: Austin D'Cunha from Bejai in city and Supriya Kankonkar from Goa emerged winners in Cha Fra Decosta memorial and Rohan and Lavita Monteiro Konkani poetry reciting competitions respectively organised by Kavita Trust at the World Konkani Centre, Shakthinagar here on Sunday, November 6.
12 children and 23 youth, selected in the preliminaries rounds held at Mangaluru, Udupi, Margao, Panaji and Bantwal, in the month of September participated in the final round. They had the option to select the poems of any poet or their own. They had to present the poem by heart.
Melvyn Rodrigues the president of Kavita Trust welcomed the gathering in the morning. Pradnya Tari and friends rendered Kavita Trust's anthem.
While Austin D'Cunha was the winner in the Nelson and Lavina Rodricks, III Cha. Fra. Decosta memorial Konkani poetry reciting competition for children, Wencita Dias, Angelore was declared first runner up and Vion Preston Lobo, Bantwal second runner up.
Consolation prizes were given to Aldon Vinoy D'Souza, Revon Dias and Alka Pavithra Lewis, Brahmavar.
In the Rohan and Lavita Monteiro, VI All India Konkani poetry reciting competition Supriya Kankonkar emerged as the winner. First runner up was Amline D'Souza, Mangaluru and second runner up was Sushmita Pai Kane from Goa.
Consolation prizes were given to Dattaraj Naik, Goa, Pradnya Tari, Goa, Rohan D'Souza, Bajpe, Fevisha Fernandes, Mangaluru and Sunetra Kamat, Goa.
Kannada writer and critic, Narendra Pai, was the chief guest of the concluding ceremony. He along with guests of honour Rohan Monteiro and Basti Vaman Shenoy distributed cash prizes, mementos and certificates to the winners as well as to all the participants.
Prizes were given to the winners of Charles and Theresa Rodrigues memorial X All India Konkani poetry writing competition during the occasion.
Out of the total 255 entries Andrea Menezes, Dona Paula bagged the first place, Sanika Pawar, Curchorem, second, and three children - Khyathi Nayak, Mangaluru, Rahi Gaonkar, Sattaro, Savari Phal Dessai, Quepem, shared the third prize.
Speaking on the occasion, Narendra Pai said, "Even though the younger children recited the poems that were written by someone else, there was a sense of aesthetics in the way the poems were selected. You must read the poems of your liking and only then will it bring forth the feelings."
Lauding the work of Kavita Trust, Pai said, the trust is striving to sow Konkani poetry in young minds, which is remarkable.
Speaking on the occasion, president of Konkani Language and Cultural Foundation, Basti Vaman Shenoy, who also celebrated his 82nd birthday on the occasion, said that the World Konkani Centre would support any programme on Konkani literature. He thanked everyone for the birthday wishes.
Veteran All India Radio announcer Shakuntala R Kini, poet Titus Noronha, dramatist Edward Sequeira, HOD of journalism in Besant college Smitha Shenoy, assistant director of World Konkani centre Guru Baliga were the judges of the competition. Trustee Andrew D'Cunha conducted the proceedings.
Founder of Kavita Trust Melvyn Rodrigues gave the introductory remarks during the concluding ceremony. Averyl Rodrigues compered the programme and William Pais proposed vote of thanks.
Eminent dignitaries present included Walter Nandalike, Antony Barkur, M P Rodrigues, Manu Bahrain, Rajay Pawar among others.