Mangalore, 12 December 2011: Kavita Trust, which works for the promotion of Konkani Poetry, has chosen Shivananda Shenoy from Kottayam for this year’s Mathias Family Poetry Award.
The award carries a cash prize of Rs 10,000, citation and a memento. It will be bestowed on the poet on January 8, 2012, at Moodubelle on the occasion of Kavita Fest 2012 by the chief guest of the function, Dr Kiran Budkuely, associate professor of English, Goa University.
A retired engineer who worked for Kochi Port Trust, Shivananda Shenoy writes both in Konkani and Malayalam with ease. `Kir Kir’ and `Changpannache Sant’ are his poetry collections. Besides, he has published short story collections in Malayalam. His poems in Konkani and Malayalam are being published in various periodicals in Goa, Kerala and Karnataka since 1968.
Shivananda Shenoy, at present, is the member of Konkani Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi.
His poetry in Konkani is a new experience to any reader as it picks up themes unique to Malayalee society. The style and the way he uses words to create imagery cannot be seen elsewhere, and distinct to Konkani poetry, the selection committee observed.
Kavita Fest will be inaugurated by eminent poet, Ramesh Veluskar. Delegates from Goa, Mumbai, Bangalore, Mysore, Kerala and the Middle East are expected to attend this event, which is being held for the sixth time in succession.
There will be a performance of Bihu songs and dances by Ranjit Gogoi and group from Assam during the event, under the banner, `Loka - the many Voices’, sponsored by Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi.
Bellevision has joined hands with Kavita Trust to organize this year’s Kavita Fest.
Mathias Family Poetry Award was instituted by Joseph Mathias of Merit Freight Systems LLC, Dubai, in his family’s name. Aruna Rao Kundaje from Mumbai, Leo D’Souza (Kavyadas) from Mangalore, and Kashinath Shamba Lolienkar from Goa, have won this award earlier.