Mangaluru: Syed Samiulla Barmawar from Bhatkal has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious Kavita Trust’s Mathias Family Poetry Award for 2024. The award, which includes a cash prize of ₹25,000, a citation, and a certificate of appreciation, will be presented to Barmawar on January 12 at Sastan, Udupi, during the 19th Kavita Fest.
Born in 1956 in the scenic town of Bhatkal in Uttar Kannada, Barmawar is a celebrated poet and singer. His passion for poetry and music was evident from a young age. While he initially composed in Urdu, Barmawar later embraced Nawayti, establishing himself as one of the leading literary figures in the community. His poetry, known for its depth, emotional resonance, and cultural themes, often explores faith, love, social issues, and heritage.
Barmawar’s first poetry collection, Neett Watt (Path of Good Deeds), released in 2012, marked a milestone in Nawayti Konkani literature. He is credited with pioneering Nawayti mushairas, helping shift the community’s literary focus from Urdu to Nawayti, and preserving the dialect’s rich traditions.
Apart from his written works, Barmawar has produced several audio cassettes and CDs, bringing Nawayti poetry to younger generations. He is also the founder of Nawayath Mehfil, dedicated to nurturing and preserving Nawayti language and culture. Barmawar’s contributions have earned him multiple honors, including from the All India Konkani Parishad and the Bhatkal Muslim Jamat.
Having presented his poetry on international stages across the Middle East and in various Indian cities, Barmawar has played a key role in elevating Konkani literature and inspiring future poets. He becomes the 17th recipient of the Mathias Family Poetry Award, which was instituted in 2008 by Joseph Mathias, managing director of Merit Freight Systems, Dubai, to honor his family’s legacy.
The Kavita Trust’s poetry festival will be held in association with Expressions, Udupi, on January 12.
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