Mangalore,26 Mar 2013: Kavita Trust and Konkani Writers Forum, Karnataka on Sunday March 24 jointly organized ’Yuva Kavya Sangam’, a programme that provided a platform for young Konkani poets to present their compositions. The programme was held at Sahodaya hall, Balmatta.
Addressing the gathering, poet Melvyn Rodrigues, who is also the president of Kavita Trust, said that the programme was organized not only to encourage young poets but also to know what they think and feel about the present society that they live and their response to the various social issues.
Dwelling on the change in perspective among the young generation over the years, he said that earlier youngsters spent their time climbing trees and plucking fruits, but today, the young people are engrossed in mobile phones. "There has been a lot of change in the way youngsters think. This programme has been organized to know their perception about the present-day society and some of the issues prevalent today," he said.
He advised the young poets to transform into poetry all that they see, feel and experience. "By writing one can preserve the things happening today. Poets should always look for what they can write about." he said.
He also said that young poets should interact with veteran poets and learn and get inspired from them.
Editor of Kittall.com H M Pernal who presided over the programme said that today poetry has become the slave of capitalist and industrialist society, where songs like those in Bollywood are losing meaning.
"Poets should explore social issues and write about them. Poetry should be such that it evokes response, feeling, creation and communication," he said.
Giving example of a song by the late Wilfy Rebimbus about Bhopal Gas Tragedy, he said that it was not just a song, it evoked people’s emotions, so much so that other people even wrote on it. "Poetry is not just for reading pleasure, it should be thought provoking," he added.
As many as eight young poets from Goa and in and around Mangalore participated in the programme and presented their poetry. They were Wilma Bantwal, Amey Naik, Jason Sequeira, Siddhi Shet Raikar, Clement Fernandes, Shrinisha Naik, Vishwapratap Pawar and Jovita Sequeira. Raknno sub-editor Tony Ferros introduced each poet.
Among those present were Vishwa Konkani Sardar Basti Vaman Shenoy, novelist Edwin J F D’Souza, artiste Eddie Sequeria, Raknno editor Fr Francis Rodrigues and Daijiworld editor Hemacharya.