Mangalore Diocese News

Media Release

Bantwal, Aug 14 : Sahitya Akademi in association with Indian Catholic Youth Movement Nirkan unit presented a unique literary program named GRAMALOK at St Thomas School Auditorium Nirkan on Sunday, August 13th 2023.

The program started with singing of the national anthem. Sahitya Akademi Language Advisory Board Member for Konkani, H M Pernal briefed about the Sahitya Akademi programmes and laid special emphasis on signature programmes like from Sahitya Akademi for Rural India. The aim of GRAMALOK is to present writers of repute from the language to village audiences, he said. He introduced Geo D silva, chairperson of the program and poets Bantwala Suresh Baliga, Kiran Nirkan and Fiction Writer Panchu Bantwal and lullaby singer Roseline Moras to the audience. ICYM Nirkan unit president Sweedal Rodrigues and Convenor of Konkani in Sahitya Akademi Poet Melvyn Rodrigues were escorted to the dais.

Chairperson of the program Geo Agrar presented his view on literature, its importance and influence on social harmony and emphasised the need of preserving literature in the form of books. He requested writers to publish their works for future generations.

Poet and lyricist Bantwal Suresh Baliga presented his 3 poems on the themes of Poster Boy, Missing Poetry and Identity Cards. Fiction Writer Panchu Bantwal presented his short story Sugarcane Field (Kobacho Gado). Educationist and Folklore artist Rosaline Moras presented Lullabies with notes along with Veena Moras. Poet and writer Kiran Nirkan presented his three poems namely Mai, Bidiyechem Sup and Baayl.

Geo Agrar briefly narrated the essence of the presentations and as a conclusion he presented his poem - Dining Hall.

President of ICYM Nirkan Sweedal Rodrigues proposed the vote of thanks and Melvyn Rodrigues handed over Konkani books to the guest poets as a token of gratitude. Stany Bela, Language advisory Board Member for Konkani for Sahitya Akademi present to the programme.

More than 100 people from the neighbouring villages of Nirkan and ICYM office bearers of Bantwal Deanery were present to the unique programme by Sahitya Akademi aimed at promoting literature and language in rural areas.