Mangalore: `Kavita Fest -2009’ Enthralls Poetry Lovers

Report: Florine Roche, Pics: Stanley Bantwal/Prajwal Ukkuda
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Jan 12: `Kavita Fest – 2009’, the 5 language poetry session was conducted under the auspices of Kavita Trust at Shanti Kiran, Bajjodi on Saturday January 10.   Noted Konkani poet Purnananda Chari presided over the poetry session conducted in five languages.  10 poets from Karnataka, Mumbai and Goa recited poems in Konkani, Tulu, Kannada, Kodava, Beari and Kodava, languages. 

“Poetry is creativity and it should be easy on ears.  It requires people who can understand and appreciate it.  Poetry can be savored best in its original language”, said Vivek Shanbhag, Editor of Desha Kaala, who was the Chief Guest at the fest. 

He opined that though he writes in Kannada his sensibilities are in his mother tongue Konkani and as a result he has been able to add something to Kannada language.  “This is not the best period for poetry considering the myriad problems we are faced with.  But one should not give up creating poetry”, he opined.  He also regretted the prevalence of widespread consumerism in the society. 

Hema Naik, Central Sahitya Academy Awardee, who was the Guest of Honour at the fest pointed out that illiterate women were the original poets and writers who took a cue from the daily routine of life.  “In their writings men created a utopian woman which is actually far from reality.  It was only pasteurization and not a reality.  But women wrote from their own experience of life.  Poetry for them is nothing but their biography”, she stated.  She expressed happiness that lot of women have come out from the stereotypes and come forward to write, thus giving an outlet for their creativity. 

The fest was inaugurated by scattering flower petals by all the guests on the dais. On the occasion an Anthology of Poems “Prikrithiso Paas” by noted poet and President of Kavita Trust Melvyn Rodrigues and a book “Divyaamrth” by J B Moraes, Mumbai was released.

Welcoming the gather Melvyn Rodrigues said “poetry is creativity.  In our pursuit to lead a decent living our hearts gets rusted and poetry is the medium through which we can keep our five sensory organs fine tuned.  Poetry has therapeutic value that can cleanse our hearts and minds”.

Kavita Trust has introduced “Mathias Kuttom Kavita Puroskar” from this year onwards to honour stalwarts who have contributed immensely to Konkani Poetry.  This year’s award of Rs. 10,000 cash, a certificate and a memento has been awarded to Aruna B Rao, based in Mumbai.  Due to her advancing age she could not be present on the occasion to collect the award.  On her behalf the award was collected by Deepali Khambadkone. 

Kavita Trust had conducted late Charles and Theresa Rodrigues Memorial All India Children’s Konkani Poetry contest this year in which 256 children had participated.  All the three prizes were won by students from Goa. The first prize in the competition went to Yuga N Adarkar, second prize to Efenzy Fernandes and third prize to Gayatri M Naik.  The prize winners were honoured with cash prizes and certificates at the Fest.

Konkani poets Ancy Paladka, Valli Vagga, H M Pernal, Nayana Adarkar, Vinitha Naik, Guadalupe Dias and Purnananda Chari recited their poems and enthralled the audience.  Beari poet Aboobaker, Kannnada Poet Sandhya Devi, Tulu  poet M Janaki and Kodava Poet B P Appanna regaled the audience by singing/reciting their poetry. 

Nayana Adarkar’s Konkani poem “yore putha yo’, was about a mother longing for her son who has gone away from the native place.  Ancy Paladka recited his poem “Magne” (prayer) clearly indicating that vices are on the increase and put forward a prayer to reduce them. M Janaki’s Tulu poem was all about dreams.  Valli Vagga recalled his childhood days with his poem “Amchea Ganvchyea Vhaalant”.  H M Pernal gave the audience a glimpse of a day during Marnemi through his poem  “Marnemichea Disa”. 

Poetry lovers had a field day enjoying poems in five different languages on a variety of topics.   A special attraction of the Kavita Fest was the Gumott, Toniyo and Doriyo dance by Edapadavu Kudumi group led by Gopala Gowda. 

Earlier Anita Samson invoked a prayer song.  Kishu Barkur proposed the vote of thanks.