Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jan 3: The Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy organised a poets’ meet titled ‘Kavyaan Vhalo–10’ at the Academy auditorium on January 3, 2026. The programme was presided over by Academy president Joachim Stany Alvares.

In his introductory address, Joachim Stany Alvares conveyed his wishes for a happy and prosperous year 2026. He recalled that the ‘Kavyaan Vhalo’ initiative was launched on March 8 last year on the occasion of International Women’s Day, exclusively for women, and expressed happiness that the programme has now reached its 10th edition. He noted that more than 75 poets participated in the event and encouraged more young poets to take inspiration from the enthusiasm shown and actively engage in poetry writing. He also extended a warm welcome to all participants.

Chief guest Manjula Nayak, president of Samarasya Mangaluru, spoke about the struggles and efforts of elders for the survival of the Konkani language, which resulted in its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India. She said the Karnataka government had established the Konkani Academy, and it is now the responsibility of the Konkani community to preserve and nurture the language. She lauded the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy for its continuous efforts in this direction.

As part of the programme, Alwyn Sequeira, popularly known as ‘Melody Master’, who has been rendering literary service for the past 46 years by taking Konkani literary books and CDs to villages during festivals and selling them, was felicitated.

Renowned poet Aravind Shanbhag compered the poets’ meet and provided detailed insights into the poets and their works. Poets including Marlin Mascarenhas, Naveen Kulshekar, Violet Pereira, Suma Vasanth, Richie Pereira, Preetha Miranda, Stanislaus D’Souza, Edward Lobo, Arun Danti and Sapna May Crasta recited their poems.

Academy member Samarth Bhat compered the programme and proposed the vote of thanks. Academy member Akshata Nayak was present on the occasion.