M’lore: Konkani, an Inseparable Element of District’s Distinct Culture – Nalin Kumar

Report: Florine Roche, Pics: Sphoorty Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore

Mangalore, Aug 30: Poetry is a wonderful world in itself and when it comes to poems in our mother tongue a kind of nostalgia engulfs as one listens to poetry, the language of the heart. At the Konkani Kavigoshti   (symposium of poems) held at Sandesha Kalabhavana in Bajjodi presented by Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy on Saturday, August 29, it rained poetry for nearly two hours as 12 poets (including the moderator of the session) narrated their inner most feelings in the form of poetry giving vent to their feeling and thoughts on a variety of subjects ranging from sun to moon, rain and shine, love and fantasy, happiness and sadness, mythology to reality, earth to environment, geography to science and so on.  For the connoisseurs of poetry it was a well spent evening giving enough food for thought and matter to ponder over. 

The programme began with a prayer dance number presented by the students of Sandesha Lalithakala Academy.  It was a day of great joy for Mangaloreans who were celebrating the announcement of day-train services from Mangalore Bangalore toady and one can say it was a co-incidence that newly elected Member of Parliament of Mangalore Nalin Kumar Kateel who played a major role in it inaugurated today’s  symposium.  Nalin Kumar along with Guest of Honour eminent music director and researcher Anant Amembal inaugurated the symposium by pulling the ribbon that resulted in the shower of colorful rose petals, which was in tune with the colourful poetry that was presented.  Speaking on the occasion Nalin Kumar said Konkani is an inseparable element of Dakshina Kannada’s distinct culture.  “Literature unites diverse minds and poetry also does the same. We must encourage culture and literature that unites people of different religions.  A forum like the Sahithya Academy gives an opportunity for existing and new talents to exhibit their literary skills.  Sahithya Academy should make full use of the facilities provided by the government to unearth new talents in these fields”, he said. 

Nalin Kumar Kateel gave good news for the assembled Konkani lovers when he said that the government is soon taking a decision to introduce Konkani as a third language in schools from 3rd standard onwards. 

Guest of Honour Anant Amembal pointed out “poetry is nothing but heart to heart talk.  Poetry provides that soothing touch, it stimulates the soul.  Poetry is like lullaby to the soul.  In today’s world there is more and more need of poetry in our lives.  Poetry is a powerful medium which is now being used for its therapeutic benefits the world over to convert even die hard terrorists and convicts’. 

Giving an example of a true story he said there are instances of poetry saving the life of people who were on the verge of coming suicide which shows the strength of poetry. 

Director of Sandesha Prathishtana Fr Valerian Mendonca who was also the Guest of Honour said “poetry is a conduit for people to share their thoughts.  Poets are the lights of the society who brighten the lives of the people through their creative thoughts”. 

In his presidential address Kundapura Narayana Kharvi, President, Karnataka Konkani Sahithya Academy pointed out that for a poet inspiration has to come from home to write poetry. “If a person does not get inspiration form the safe confines of his home he cannot be a poet”, he stated.  He said that the main reason of organizing this symposium was to unite poets and organizing the symposium was a small effort in this direction.  “Unless we inspire our children to take up Konkani as a third language in schools or if we don’t speak Konkani at homes Konkani language cannot prosper”.  He requested the people present to take an oath to speak in Konkani whenever they meet Konkani speaking people. 

In the inaugural speech poet Melvyn Rodrigues termed “Poetry as a wonderful world which deals with the heart and emotions of the people”.   Fr Denis D’Sa, Member of Karnataka Konkani Sahithya Academy welcomed the guests. 

After the stage function it was time to listen to poetry.  Eminent playwright and poet from Goa, Rajay Pawar moderated the poetry session.  11 poets presented minimum of two poems, some serious some in lighter vein that dealt with a variety of topics that touched the hearts, the minds and the souls of the assembled people. 

Poets Melwyn Rodrigues, Titus Noronha, Catherine Rodrigues, Sheela Kambadakone, Wilson Kateel, H M Pernal, Dimple Fernandes, Shakunthala R Kini, Vally Vagga, Lloyd Rego and Mahesh Nayak presented their poems.  Melvyn Rodrigues warmed up the gathering by reciting his poetry “Suryo Zalaylo” followed by singing his own ghazal that set the mood for the poetry session.  Shankunthala Kini followed in the footsteps of Melvyn by singing her emotionally charged poem “Saan Saan Asha” (tiny wants).   Rajay Pawar moderated the poetry session and the programme ended with Rajay Pawar narrating his own poems.   

The programme was compered by Titus Noronha in his inimitable style.  S H Shivarudrappa, Registrar of the academy proposed the vote of thanks.