Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Apr 24: Kavita Fest, a traditional celebration of poetry and gathering of Konkani poetry lovers from Karnataka, Goa, Kerala and Maharashtra was held at World Konkani Center, Shakthinagar in the city on Sunday, April 24.

Lyricist, writer and Educationist Ushaprabha Nayak and president, WKC, G Nandagopal Shenoy inaugurated the 16th edition of the Kavita fest by strewing rose petals. The trustees of Kavita Trust accompanied her for the inaugural ceremony.

In her inaugural speech, Ushaprabha said, “Poetry is playing a significant role in highlighting the issues of the society and it delivers a quick message to readers or listeners. When music or a tune is added to the poetry then it becomes more effective and sticks in the memory of the listeners. We all knew the role of poetry in our freedom struggle. The freedom fighters effectively used poetry to think about freedom and exhibit their patriotism. It also played a vital role in abolishing evil practices and caste based exploitation which had prevailed in Indian society."

"Kavita Trust is continuing the legacy of powerful poetry in Konkani. It also attracts the young generation towards poetry. We the poetry lovers should back the mission of Melvyn Rodrigues and other trustees of Kavita Trust," she added.

The final round of the Nelson and Lavina Rodricks - 8th Cha Fra DeCosta memorial Konkani poetry recitation competition for children, 11th All India Konkani poetry recitation competition for youth and 3d All India Konkani poetry recitation competition for Seniors was held during the fest.

An interactive session was held with the poet, winner of the Konkani Sahitya Academy, Karnataka, J V Sequeira. Andrew L D Cunha, trustee, Kavita Trust moderated the session.

In the closing ceremony, Chetan Acharya, former president, KBM Goa and Yogini Acharya, Konkani poetess, Guru Baliga, CEO, WKC, Kishore Gonsalves, president, Kavita Trust, Averyl Rodrigues, secretary, Kavita Trust were present on the dais.

In his speech, Chetan Acharya said, "Kavita Trust is doing a great job by bringing people together from Konkan belt without any barricades of dialect and script. It gives its own identity to Konkani poetry in the world of literature. By conducting poem recitation, Kavita Trust makes the Konkani poets familiar to the entire community. The recitation also helps to discuss the core issues of society which reflects in the poems by the contestants and listeners. At the same time the budding poets should read more and do some research in their subjects. They should adopt new and own ways of writing poems. Otherwise there will be a chance of our poems reflecting others' poems which we have read or listened to somewhere. Poetry is born from the heart of a poet and it should be carried on in the hearts. The Kavita fest is the best atmosphere to carry poetry to heart."

Congratulating Kavita Trust, Guru Baliga said "Twelve years ago, the first time I attended Kavita Fest at Nakre, Karkal, I read an article titled 'The poetry is dead' published in a newspaper of the same date, in the hands of one of the attendees. But I can say still poetry is living and expanding its area without any restrictions. For the past 14 years, Kavita Trust is engaged in the mission of making Konkani Kavita more popular through its activities. As a result we can see youngsters, children turning towards Konkani poetry. Many keep themselves engaged in reciting the poems of others and many are interested in writing them. This is a good sign and the much awaited result of the mission of Kavita Trust. I congratulate Kavita Trust for its success and wish for more in its future projects."

Yogini Acharya lauded the activities of Kavita Trust and congratulated the participants of poem recitation competition.

During the event, poet, writer R Ramnath was bestowed with the Mathias Family Poetry Award 2021. He was draped with a shawl, presented a memento, citation and Rs 25,000 prize money. Melwyn Rodrigues read the citation. William Pais, Trustee, Kavita Trust introduced R Ramnath to the gathering.

Later, prizes were distributed to the winners of poetry reciting competition.

Rusy Mahendra Parab, Sharvani Naik and Gavrang Bhandiye, all from Goa, won the first, second and third prizes respectively in the youth category. Aadi Vernekar, Goa won the consolation prize.

In the children's category, Aayan Mangaldas Bhat, Nishel Monteiro, Bondel, Danica Pahal, Permude won the first, second and third prizes respectively, while Sana Satelkar,Goa and Denith Rodrigues, Mangaluru, won the consolation prizes.

In the senior category Mahadev Satu Gaonkar, Goa, Lavita D Souza, Nakre and Preethan Pereira, Mangaluru won the first, second and third prizes respectively.

Kishoo Barkur, president, Kavita Trust, welcomed the dignitaries and the gathering, and briefed about the mission and activities of the trust and its various competitions. Poet Melvyn Rodrigues, founder-president of Kavita Trust proposed a vote of thanks.

Rony Nazreth Rovina Nazreth rendered the theme song of the event in the morning session prior to the inauguration. Vitori Karkal, trustee, Kavita Trust compered the event.