Media Release
Kuwait, Feb 25: Konkani Kullvar, Kuwait, a Konkani Writer’s Forum in Kuwait, had organized a One Day Seminar/Workshop on Short Stories with Dolphy F. Lobo (widely known as Dolphy Cascia, a Konkani Writer, Novelist, Editor and an all-rounder in Konkani), marks a thumping success on Friday 22nd February 2008 in Indian Community School (Amman Branch) Salmiyah.
A remarkable day in Konkani Literature here in Kuwait as more than forty participants had participated in this event including some new comers and especially two Goan Writers.
The day started with the registration of participants and then breakfast. The workshop was divided into three sessions.
In the beginning of first session, Lancy Pinto Nayak, the convener of Kullvar welcomed the crowd with enthusiasm followed by a silent prayer. He had presented the importance of the workshop and requested to introduce all the participants themselves. Mr. Nayak gave detailed introduction about the new comers and especially Goan participants and switched to shaan bondel to continue the day.
The workshop was started by lighting a lamp by Lacy Pinto Nayak (Convener), Janet Almeida (Ghurkarnn), shaan bondel (PRO) and Dolphy Cascia.
shaan bondel gave a brief introduction of Dolphy Cascia. In his introduction, he said, this is a memorable day to have Cascia with us, as we will have a chance to learn more than we know about short stories and he is highly known for it. He recalled his life in Konkani as a writer (46 novels, 35 dramas and more than 300 short stories) and said, it will be a Konkani Record that, his `Dee Mhaka Bhogsannem’ drama had recorded 148 shows and there will no other Editor had worked as a Editor for more than 25 years with three papers together (Jhelo, Mitr and Kurov).
Then, Cascia shared his knowledge in Konkani Literature, especially in Short Stories as a writer and editor.
He started the workshop on the Konkani Language to give basic information for the new Writers. Slowly he moved on the fundamentals of Short Stories. He had deeply explained the different parts of the Short Story as there should be four parts in the Short Story, as in the beginning, plot of the story (vost), secondly, beginning of the story (survat), thirdly, flow of the story (vhallo), and finally, ending the story (anthy). He spoke continuously for more than two hours in the morning session even including the Short Stories Title (naamv). By the end of first session he gave the full knowledge about the activities to be done by a writer with an editor of the newspaper and he explained the duties to be done by a writer with any editor. He requested to maintain a very good relationship between a writer and an editor to the growth of Konkani.
He recalled the memories of his experience as an editor that, there were many writers in Konkani became the best writers because of him. He explained about his guidance and rules/regulations towards them.
Kullvar gave him more than two hours to speak even though he ended his workshop with a great depression that, the two hours are not enough to narrate his experience. Anyway, it was true; forty years of experienced Konkani Champion cannot describe his life within two hours.
After the first session there was a lunch break. Jossy from M&M Bakery provided the lunch well enjoyed by the participants.
In the lunch break Ivan Almeida and friends sung melodious Konkani Songs and entertained participants. M/s. Vinay Lewis, Vincent Barboza and Vrinda Lewis added their voices. Austin Brahmavar arranged the music. After the lunch, Ivan continued the fun with games. Prashant Ferrao and Janet Almeida had organized the games.
After games, shaan bondel presented the Humorous Poetry Session. M/s. Austin Brahmavar, Olivera Flavia Trasi, J. D. S. Navunda, Ida D’Silva Paladka, Silvan D’Almeida, L. J. Brahmavar, Faustine Pinto Ghantalkatte, Lancy Pinto Nayak and shaan bondel presented their poems and entertained the crowd. Two poems from Mr. Lino (Goan Poet) especially attracted the participants as well as Lancy’s `ticho ani tacho’ and shaan’s `vecho kaall’ received showers of claps.
In this second session, once again Dolphy Cascia took the anchoring. He had to review the book `Kullvarchem Dirvem’ written by various writers of Konkani Kullvar, published by Konkani Kullvar Kuwait in year 2007, edited by shaan bondel and dedicated to Late Johny Suratkal.
In his review, he said, this was a great work by Kullvar, publishing the book like Kullvarchem Dirvem, includes 13 high quality short stories, 5 poems, one article on Johny Suratkal, poems on Johny Suratkal, and a good editorial. He congratulated the Kullvar Members for their efforts towards the Book and requested to publish more books in future. There is a small unnepan that, there are no humorous articles, he added. He congratulated to Kullvar to have an Editor like shaan bondel with them and appreciated his work in the Book. He spoke about Johny Suratkal and remembered the relationship between them. Mrs. Ida D’Silva recalled that, the day was Johny’s birthday and it was really a very big coincident and surprise for the participants.
The final session of the day was felicitation.
Firstly, Veronica Fernandes (a famous Goan Journalist who was attended the workshop from morning) presented a momento to Dolphy Cascia. Janet Almeida presented a brief introduction of Dolphy Cascia and Mr. Nayak had introduced Veronica Fernandes respectively. Lino (Goan Poet) also was with Veronica Fernandes to greet Cascia.
Secondly, Lawrence Pinto (widely known as Loryaab in Kuwait) felicitated Olivera Flavia, Trasi, the winner of `Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Special Award 2007’ for her book `sukha-dukhachim don panam punn mogachim’, She is also a active member of Kullvar. Mrs. Janet Almeida presented her achievements in Konkani and Mr. Nayak gave a short introduction of Lawrence Pinto as he is a real `Superman of Konkani in Kuwait’. Olivea Flavia thanks Lawrence Pinto and Kullvar with few words.
It was a happiest moment as shaan said; Olivera Flavia is the third member of Kullvar who won the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Award and honored by Kullvar. Before her, Lancy Pinto Nayak Kulshekar and Stanro Ajekar were honored.
Prashant Ferrao (organizer of event) presented the vote of thanks. shaan bondel well-compared the seminar.
As a special attraction, Kevin D’Mello Karkal and other senior writers as M/s. Gibba Kulshekar and Benna Fajir were attended.