17thKavitaFestheldwithmuch fanfare,grandeurat Bela

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Pics: Dayanand

Kukkaje/AlphonsePangla

Daijiworld Media NetworkMangaluru(SB)

Kasargod, Jan 10: Kavita Fest, a unique celebration of poetry and gathering of Konkani poetry lovers from Karnataka, Goa, Kerala and Maharashtra was held at Bela, in Kerala onSunday, January8.

Konkani author and journalist Austin D’Souza Prabhu, Stany Bela, Konkani author, and Anwesha Singbal, president, KBM the Kavita fest by strewing rose petals. The trustees of Kavita Trust accompanied along for the inaugural ceremony. In his inaugural speech, Austin Prabhu said, “It is nice to hear that Kavita Trust is celebrating Konkani poetry on the soil of Kerala in the form of ‘Kavita Fest'. By this, we can blindly say that Kavita Trust is the true organization which is completely involved in spreading the fragrance of Konkani poetry across the country without any regional borders. Definitely, it will help to know the cultural variations prevailing within us and its richness among the Konkani speaking community.”

Addressing the gathering Anwesha Singbal said, “I have been attending Kavita Fest regularly and I know its essence.Thesetypesofcelebrations makeitpossibleforallofustocome underoneumbrellaandsittogether like members of the same family. KavitaTrusthasactivelyparticipated in this mission and successfully attracted people towards Konkani poetry and poets. In the recent years,participatinginpoetryrelated competitions organized by Kavita Trust has become a trend. The organization itself grooms the participantsandmakesthemknown inthe Konkani world."

The final round of the Nelson and Lavina Rodricks - 9th Cha Fra DeCosta memorial Konkani poetry recitation competition for children andthe4thAllIndiaKonkanipoetry recitation competition for seniors was held during the event. Aninteractive sessionwasheldwith Santhosh Perla, author from Kerala and Wilson Kateel, known poet, author and editor. William Pais and Titus Noronha, trustees, Kavita Trust, moderated the session. In his interaction, Santhosh Perla highlighted issues faced by the Konkani community in Kasargod and appealed for support from Konkani institutions and organisations which are engaged in Konkani related activities. Poet Wilson Kateel narrated his social views and its reflection on his poems.

In the closing ceremony, Prashanth Naik, president, Nirakar Education Society and former president, KBM, Goa and Rathnamala Divakar, author, lyricist and former vicepresident, KBM, Kishore Gonsalves, president, Kavita Trust, and Averyl Rodrigues, secretary, Kavita Trust were present on the dais.

'Chiturleche Acche Din', a collection of poems written by Wilson Kateel and published by Kavita Trust was released by the guests.

Prashanth Naik said, "We cannot restrict Konkani to a particular state or region. It has spread across coastal India and across the globe as a community. There was a time when poems were written on the basis of a literary meter (Chandbhaddh or Chandassu) and its ownregulations. It was a difficult job to write poems on the meter. But our poets never lagged behind.

They produced immense literature whichweconsiderrichinwordsand its narrative form. But when poetry wasfreedfromitsmeter,westarted to call it 'Chandhmukth Kavyam'. This paved the way for new ideas and the exploration of thoughts. Poets started to give importance to the subject and made it easy to understand too. In Goa, at the time of its liberation, poetry became a weapon to exhibit the richness of Konkani and its culture. The revolution of poetry started during this period. Poetry starts to reach villages and homes.

“Today Konkani poetry is making noise in Kerala too. We are lucky to attend Kavita Fest which is being held far from Goa. But it reminds us that under the flagship of Konkani, we are not far, but together,” he said.

Congratulating Kavita Trust, Rathnamala Divkar said, “I appreciate the children who attend Kavita Fest to recite poems in a competitive way. I can say, all participants are the winners and champions of this event. By organizing these types of competitions, Kavita Trust is not only encouraging the children but also putting a strong base for our future.”

During the event, poetess Indu AshokGersappewasbestowedwith the Mathias Family Poetry Award 2022. In her absence, a shawl, memento, citation, and Rs 25,000 award money were presented to Jyothi Pai, her representative. Melvyn Rodrigues read the citation.

Shweta Pai Manjeshwar read the message of Indu Gersappe which she conveyed to the gathering. Later, prizes were distributed to the winners of the poetry reciting competition.

In the children's category, Ninisha Prisha Monteiro, Mangaluru, Aayan

MangaldasBhat,Goa,andAaradhya SPaiRaiturkarwonthefirst,second, and third prizes respectively, while

Sana Satelkar, Goa and Nishel Pearl Monteiro, Mangaluru won the consolation prizes.

In the senior category, Ambesh Talwadkar, Goa, Preethan Renita Pereria and Neeta M Parab, Goa won the first, second, and third prizes respectively.

Margret Crsata, Veena Violet and StavenoSheldon were felicitated by Kavita Trust for hosting the Kavita Festwith grandarrangements.

Kishoo Barkur, president, Kavita Trust, welcomed the dignitaries and thegathering,andbriefedaboutthe mission and activities of the trust and its various competitions during inauguralsession.AverylRodrigues, secretary, Kavita Trust spoke during the closing ceremony. Vitori Karkal proposed the vote of thanks.

Veena Violet D’Souza, Vani Martis, Priyal Crasta and Risha Martis rendered the theme song of the event. Vitori Karkal, trustee, Kavita Trust compered the event.

MANGALURU, JAN 26: “’Listen to Bible, Read the Bible, Study the Bible, Pray the Bible and Live the Bible.’ I am reminded of these beautiful words from a Bible Library set on Logos Ship arrived in Mangalore port around 40 years ago.Thesewordswillmakeourlives prosper,” said Rev. Dr William Barboza, a retired priest of the Diocese of Mangalore and translator of the English New Testament into Konkani Language. He was the chief guest of the inaugural ceremony of the threeday Bible Exhibition held at St Anthony Ashram, Jeppu, Mangalore, here on Thursday, January 26, 2023.

Theexhibitionwasorganisedbythe Commissions for Bible, Proclamation, Social Communication andSmall Christian

Community of the Diocese of Mangalore along with St Anthony Ashram,StJosephSeminary,Cascia, Jeppu and Valencia parishes from January 26 to 28 evening.

Rev. Fr J B Crasta, Director of St Anthony Charitable Institutions and the convener of the exhibition, Rev. Dr Ronald Serrao, Rector of St Joseph Seminary, Jeppu, Rev. Fr

Joachim Fernandes, Director Small

Christian Community, Rev. Fr Anil

Fernandes, Director Canara

Communication Centre, Rev. Fr

RupeshTauro,diocesansecretaryof

Commission for proclamation, Fr

Larry Pinto, assistant director, St AnthonyAshramandSrDoreenUFS were present among the many religious sisters, youth, and residents of St Anthony Ashram Jeppu.

The inauguration ceremony began with the enthronement of the Bible, which was brought in procession from the Chapel to the exhibition hall. Rev. Dr Ronald Serrao, Rev. Dr William Barboza, and Rev. Fr J. B

Crasta honoured the Bible with incense and blessed the exhibition premises with the Holy Water. A shortprayersessionwasfollowedin which a passage from the Bible was readand reflected.

Rev.FrLarryPinto,assistantdirector said, “The exhibition is held in commemoration 125th Anniversary of St Antony Ashram and on ‘Bible Sunday’ celebrated universally on the third Sunday of the Liturgical calendar which marked this year on January 22, 2023.

Rev. Fr J. B Crasta welcomed the chief guests and felicitated Rev. Dr William Barboza with a shawl and flowers for his tireless efforts in translating the Bible into Konkani. Fr Rupesh said “This exhibition includes a public reading of the Sacred Scripture, biblical art, painting, video presentation, quiz, songs, skits, and dances. The Bibles and other religious articles are madeavailableforsale. ShortVideo series on the Bible, produced by Canara Communication Centre are screened continuously in the Sambhram Hall.”

Ms Tressy Dsouza, one of the volunteers said, “Happy to be at the service of those who read God’s Word, love it and live by it. We pray that the Bibles willreach everyhand, heart and home! I have neverseen such an awesome collectionof various versionsof the Bible. Extremely well organised.”

The exhibition showcased different translations of the Bible copies which included regional and local languages including Tulu Bible, Bible Commentaries, hand-written Bibles,Big-size Bible, Bible art, Bible paintings, iconography, Indian art, anddisplayofBiblicaltimeline,Bible verses, Bible paintings and the demonstration of important Bible events.

The organisers noted that the exhibition will be open for the public on all the three days from 9 am in the morning to 7 pm in the evening. There will be a biblical cultural programme every evening from 4.30 pm to 7 pm. The concludingceremonyofthesameis scheduled on Saturday, January 28 at 6 pm. MediaandPublicity: Canara

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