Bantwal: Confluence of Poetic Ideas at Kavita Fest
Pics: Stanley Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (NM)
Bantwal, Jan 14: The 'Basti Garden' of Vishwa Konkani Sardar Basti Vaman Shenoy, here echoed with soul-stirring poetry during the 7th edition of ‘Kavita Fest-2013’ organized by Kavita Trust (a trust for the promotion of Konkani poetry) in collaboration with Konkani Language and Cultural Foundation and state Department of Kannada and Culture, on Sunday January 13.
Speaking after the inauguration, veteran Konkani activist and poet Uday L Bhembre in his keynote address said, "There are two perspectives to writing poems. While few choose to write on the current scenario of incidents and conflicts, others describe the greatness of nature, love and other milder issues."
"Poets choose their themes based on their experience and exposure," he said, adding, "There should be enough freedom to choose their interest’s of topic rather than restricting them to any particular issue. With such innovation, there will be variety of ingredients with different tastes offered in the world of poetry," he added.
Speaking on the topic of 'Poet and his Social Responsibility’, Bhembre said, "The poet through his/her work should have the ability and power to inspire reformation and provoke change, keeping in mind the aspect of social responsibility. The right of freedom of expression given by the Constitution of India should not be used to break the society, but the poets should realize their duty to form and build it."
Prior to the formal inaugural of ‘Kavita Fest-2013’, a colorful procession was carried out from BA Hospital Thumbay to Basti Garden, with delegates and poets from Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala and abroad. B A Haji Mohiuddeen flagged off the procession.
‘Nekentran’ (Stars) anthology of poems released
During the stage programme, poet Uday L Bhembre released an anthology of poems ‘Nekentran’ (stars) by Valli Vagga. Although the book consists of poems in Konkani, three major scripts have been used to reach the vernacular audience. Each poem is written in Devanagari, Kannada and Roman scripts along with sketches. The book costs Rs 125.
Competitions
Mangesh P of Goa bagged the first place in the final round of ‘Rohan and Lavita Monteiro - All India Konkani Poetry Reciting Competition’, while Jaison Sequeira and Sushmitha Pai won the second and third prizes respectively. Clement Fernandes, Amora Monteiro and Siddhi Shet Raikar received the consolation prizes.
Kishore Gonsalves Barkur, Andrew L D’Cunha, Melvyn Rodrigues were among the jury. As many as 21 finalists presented their poetic works.
Rochelle Diniz, a 9th grade student of St Jude's High School, Salcete, Goa bagged the first prize in the late Charles and Theresa Rodrigues Memorial All India Konkani Poetry Writing Competition for students. The second prize was won by Kanaka Atmaram Narvekar, a 9th grade student of St Joseph's Institute, Vasco, Goa for her poem 'Mog' (Love), while Steeven D'Souza, a 10th grade student of St Joseph's P U College, Bajpe, Mangalore was chosen for the third prize for his poem 'Udenvcho Suryo' (Rising Sun).
Multi-lingual poetry session
Uday Mhambro, Goa presided over the multi-lingual poetry session held during the fest. Indu Gersappe, Stany Bela, Wilma Bantwal, Geo Agrar, Ashok Bhonslo, Dr L Suneetha Bai (all Konkani), Ashraf Apollo (Beary) V S Bhat (Kannada), Amrita Athrady (Tulu) and Kiran Parmar (Hindi) recited their poetry.
Valedictory
Fr Prashant Madtha, Kannada-Konkani columnist and lexicographer was the chief guest for the closing ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, he said that poetry is a play of words where the poet uses such techniques as alliteration. "Today poets form words but the meaning is given by the readers according to their experience," he said.
Citing several quotes and lines from various poems, he said that taste for poetry differs from person to person, and a poet's job is to cater to these different tastes.
Rajay Pawar Honoured
During the festival, Rajay Pawar, poet from Goa was honored with the Mathias Family Poetry Award. He received the honor for his contribution to the world of Konkani Poetry and, for his systematic study and research on Konkani poetry in his doctoral thesis. The award consisted of Rs 10,000 in cash prizes, a memento and a citation. On behalf of Rajay Pawar, Nutan Sakhardande, Goa received the honour.
Kavita Trust, which works for promotion of Konkani poetry, instituted this award in the name of Joseph Mathias, managing director, Merit Freight Systems LLC, Dubai.
Basti Vaman Shenoy was also honoured on the occasion. In his address he lauded the service rendered by Melvyn Rodrigues to the field of Konkani poetry, especially in encouraging budding poets.
`Mandd Samel' a cultural troupe from Goa performed folk dance and singing.
Vitori Karkal proposed the vote of thanks.
Paintings
Basti Garden also witnessed a 100-ft long canvas painted by as many as 31 painters under the theme, ‘KunchaKahale’ or 'call of the canvas'. The canvas highlighted the protest against the blatant land acquisition and environmental degradation in Dakshina Kannada. There was anger, protest and apathy of the system portrayed on the canvas, in an attempt to emphasize the need for protecting nature.
The paintings of William J P, Sapna Noronha, Ganesh Somayaji, Jeevan AS, Dinesh Holla, Santhosh Andrade, Reshma Shetty were on display.
James Mendonca, Rohan and Lavita Monteiro, Basti Madhava and Basti Gouri Shenoy, Caroline Martis, Kavita Trust trustees Averyl Rodrigues, William Pais, Victor Mathias and Andrew L D’Cunha were present. Eric Soans compered the entire programme.
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