Mangalore: “Born in Fire, Sunshine Cannot Wither Me,” – Poet Melvyn Rodrigues
Pics by Pachchu Ferar
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Sep 27: “I was born out of fire. Sunshine cannot wither me,” said well-known Konkani poet, Melvyn Rodrigues, giving poetic angle to his emotions. He was speaking at the ‘Kavisandhi (poets’ meet)’ programme of Konkani poets, organized on Saturday September 25 evening at the hall of Bishop’s House in the city. The programme was organized under the aegis of Central Sahitya Akademi and ‘Raknno’ Konkani Weekly.
In his introductory address at the poets’ meet, programme officer of Mumbai regional office of Sahitya Akademi, Dr Khurshid Alam, said, “The Akademi has been organizing poets’ meet programmes in all languages, for giving a boost to the creative talents of the poets, and also to enable the readers of the poems to directly interact with their creator. In the recent past, there has been a growing trend to identify people and incidents by way of numbers. People are identified by the flat number they live in, and the registration number of the vehicles they use. Likewise, historical incidents too are being identified with the help of numbers like 9/11, 26/11, or days like Black Friday, Black Wednesday etc,” he said, driving home his point with the help of a few Urdu poems written by him. Noting that of late, everyone is leaning towards despair and turning into doomsayers, he urged the poets to nurture and kindle hope among people through their poems.
‘Raknno’ editor, Fr Francis Rodrigues, introduced Sahitya Akademi Mumbai regional office programme officer, Dr Khurshid Alam, and convener of Sahitya Akademi Konkani Advisory Committee, Pundalik Naik. In his message, Pundalik Naik explained how the seeds of Konkani poetry sown by gifted Konkani poet, Louis Mascarenhas, have grown into a robust tree, and how talented poet, Melvyn Rodrigues, has been contributing to its growth. “The fragrance of Melvyn’s brilliance is not limited to this region. His fame has spread all over the globe through his fine poetry,” he added.
Poet, H M Pernal, gave a detailed brief about the childhood and life of Melvyn. He explained the bond that exists between a poet and his poetry, and about how deftly Melvyn expresses his inner feelings through Konkani poetry. “Konkani poetry got a firmer footing in the world since the year 2000. Melvyn Rodrigues and ‘Kavita Trust’ set up by him have contributed immensely to its growth,” he noted. He explained through the examples of ‘Mogapello’ and `Fintam’, ‘Vaatt’ and ‘Prikriticho Paas’, how traditional ways of thinking on the part of the poet blossomed into emotions that reflect human relationships and humanitarian approaches. He said that ‘Hey Renven’, poem written by Melvyn is fit to be considered among the frontline poems in Konkani.
Speaking to the poets and audience present, Melvyn Rodrigues explained about his early life, influences and inspirations, his life in Dubai, and how he came back to the country, searching for his roots. He also told them how new ideas shaped in his mind and how his poetry got a new direction altogether with the passage of time. He revealed that none of his ancestors were poets, although there had been some dramatists and artists. “In my early life, I grew up, hearing folklore songs like ‘Adkulogo Budkulo’ from my grandfather. He also said that three deaths in his family which occurred one after the other, had influenced his poetry too. The poet in him had emerged in Melvyn at a young age, when he had written a few poems. Later experiences in family life, life in Dubai and marriage, worked to hone his talent further, Melvyn said.
He later presented a few poems picked from the ones he had written over the years, like ‘Suryachim Sodhnam’, `Jezu Barya’, `Chandrachi Chori’, `Fintam’, `Hey Renven’, and a Gazal. At the request of Pundalik Naik, he also recited his poem, ‘Banshirya’, which is pregnant with hidden meanings.
Over a hundred people including Melvyn’s wife, Averyl Rodrigues, son, Gavin, family members, fans and other invitee connoisseurs of poetry were present at the poets’ meet.
Later, a poets’ meet under the presidentship of Melvyn Rodrigues was held. Kavyadas, CGS Taccode, H M Pernal, Wilfy Lobo Padil, Wilson Kateel, Wilson Kinnigoly, Venkatesh Nayak, Richard John Pais and Dimple Fernandes presented their poetical creations.
In his analysis, Melvyn observed that poems reflect different hues, when observed from different dimensions. He said that viewed from the angle of human behaviour, the poems presented by different poets present different aspects of human behaviour. He recited a few limericks penned by Dr Manohar Sardessai.
‘Raknno’ sub-editor, Tony Ferros, compered the programme. Another sub-editor, Sandeep Fernandes, proposed vote of thanks.