Media Release
Kochi, Oct 21: A symposium on classical works in Konkani took place on Sunday, October 20, at the Bharath Hotel auditorium in Kochi. The event was jointly organized by the Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, and the P G Kamath Foundation, Kochi.
K K Shankaran, former vice chancellor of Cochin University of Science and Technology, inaugurated the symposium by lighting the lamp. Joining him on the dais were Melwyn Rodrigues, convenor of the Konkani Sahitya Akademi; Anand G Kamath, founder and trustee of the P G Kamath Foundation; and Stany Bela, member of the Sahitya Akademi Advisory Board for Konkani.
In his keynote address, Shankaran emphasized the role of technology in literature, stating, “In the current scenario, everything is controlled by technology. With technology and artificial intelligence ruling the world, it’s time to adopt modern technology in literature. This will help bring literature and literary figures to a broader audience.” He praised the Konkani community for their collaborative efforts in organizing such events and expressed his delight at the symposium’s focus on Konkani classics.
The first session focused on the Godde Ramayana, a Hindu classic, chaired by noted critic and writer Henry Mendonca. Sahitya Akademi award winner R S Bhaskar presented on the themes of morality and social messages in the Godde Ramayana, while Gokuldas Prabhu discussed the beauty of the language used in the text. Sharath Chandra Shenoi also presented on social responsibility and human relationships.
The second session revolved around Abravnchem Yajnadan, a biblical classic, with Gokuldas Prabhu chairing once again. Presentations included Henry Mendonca’s insights on morality and social messages, Melwyn Rodrigues on the beauty of language, and Stany Bela discussing social responsibility and human relationships.
The symposium concluded with a speech by Namrata Kini, a member of the Sahitya Akademi Advisory Board for Konkani, who summarized the discussions and emphasized the importance of such literary gatherings in fostering appreciation for Konkani literature.
This event marked a significant step in promoting classical Konkani works and integrating contemporary themes into literary discussions.