Dubai: UAE’s most loved Konkani poetry extravaganza Geet Gazaal which featured celebrated Konkani Lyricist and Poet Wilson Kateel in its first edition last year is gearing up for another edition in the UAE. This time it will feature Konkani’s ace poet, eminent writer, renowned lyricist, Sahitya Academy award winner Melvyn Rodrigues. Geet Gazaal 2.0 is slated to be held at the Emirates Theater in Dubai on November 1st, 2019.
Newskarnataka.com spoke to Melvyn Rodrigues to elicit his feelings on being chosen to present his poetry at the extravaganza in UAE. This is what he had to say: “A poet is the conscience of society. When society recognizes a poet, it is recognizing and responding to his thoughts and insights in a positive way. The organizers of Geet Gazaal in Dubai, both last year and this year, must be commended for organizing this show that celebrates Konkani poetry. It only goes to show their sensitivity to the cause of the language and its literature. “
“It’s a matter of great joy that I have been chosen this year to lead the Geet Gazaal event in Dubai. Being a poet, I have received many recognitions and honors’, but this is the best; it gives me a chance to recite my poems and talk to my audience directly. My enthusiasm and anticipation for the event is growing with each passing day, and as the day approaches, my feeling is that which one gets when a flower I have nurtured is about to bloom! It’s a wonderful feeling. My gratitude goes out to the organizers of this great event for considering me as a family member and giving me this opportunity.”
On the future of Konkani Literature and Poetry, Rodrigues said, “Languages like Hindi, English or Arabic cannot be equated with Konkani. Konkani has its own identity and this identity itself makes it different from others. This difference we must showcase to the world through our literature. As a linguistic minority, the audience for Konkani literature is limited. There is only one way out – translate the best of Konkani Literature to other popular languages for the world to read and help them relate to Konkani’s cultural heritage. Konkani poets and litterateurs, instead of being active only in Konkani Circles should go beyond the boundaries of language set for them and promote the rich heritage of the Konkani language through other languages. A give and take system such as this will help us rise above our linguistic minority status and walk with our head held high!”
Newskarnataka.com fully agrees with the view and vision of this Konkani Literary luminary and that’s why Geet Gazaal. Geet Gazaal 1.0 was a grand success, and the organizers are back with Geet Gazaal 2.0 on popular demand from across the spectrum of Mangaloreans and Goans in the UAE. Like Geet Gazaal 1.0, Geet Gazaal 2.0 is being presented by Karnataka’s premier Media House Newskarnataka.com with the support of Konkani Language and Literature enthusiasts in Mangaluru and the UAE.
Geet Gazaal 2.0 will showcase a live poetry recital by Melvyn Rodrigues of his own award-winning poetry. The audience may even be in for a surprise if Melvyn recites hitherto unreleased poetry. The show will also include musical and dramatic renderings of Melvyn’s poetry. All the performances will be by artistes resident in the UAE. Band ‘Open High’ will provide the music back up and Broadway Events, will light up the show and provide their sound machines and engineers to ensure that the show is a runaway success. No stone has been left unturned to make it a grand success. And given that Melvyn’s poetry with Melvyn himself reciting it, it will be!
So if you are in the UAE, don’t miss it. Call 0582997292 / 0557100065 or write to geetgazaaluae@gmail.com to learn more.
About Poet Melvyn Rodrigues
Melvyn Rodrigues, born on 8th July 1962 at Derebail, Mangaluru, is one of 4 children (2 boys, 2 girls) born to Charles and Theresa Rodrigues. He had his primary education at Holy Family Higher Primary School, Derebail, and high school studies at the Padua High School, Mangalore. He undertook his Pre-University studies at St. Aloysius College before acquiring a Bachelor of Business Management (B.B.M.) degree at S.D.M. College, Mangalore, and M.A. (Sociology) degree from Mysore University. He then went abroad to the UAE, Dubai to be specific, and was employed there until 2006. Currently, he is the Director, Operations at Daijiworld Media Pvt. Ltd.
But he always pursued his passion for Konkani Literature, writing whenever and wherever he could. His first was a novella ‘Bhesam Zallim Kalliz’ in 1983. He was so prolific that in the period 1983 – 2018, he has published in addition to the Novella, 6 volumes of Konkani poetry written in his inimitable style, 2 volumes of Essays in Konkani, edited 7 Anthologies of Poetry including a book of Konkani Legend Wifly Remimbus’s Song Lyrics, and translated a book of short stories written by Yashwant Vinobha Chittal and K.S. Narasimhaswamy’s Kannada Poetry ‘Tereda Bagilu’ into Konkani. His latest, ‘Jivatallo’ (a translation of Chennaveera Kanavi’s Kannada poetry into Konkani) is on the cusp of publication.
But that is not all. While poetry is his way of expressing himself, he has music in his heart. In 2006, he independently produced a music album ‘Dini Dini’ under the aegis of Kavita Publications. Dini Dini’ which was released in 2006, under the aegis of Kavita Publications. The ‘Rang Tarang’ group. Mandd Sobhann of which he was a co-founder has set tunes to more than fifty of Melvyn’s poems.
For his dedication and creative work in the Konkani Language, Melvyn Rodrigues has been awarded extensively. The most notable ones are: Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Goa (1989), Konkani Kuttom, Bahrain (2006), Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi Honorary Award for Literature (2006); Dr. TMA Pai Foundation Best Konkani Book Award (2009); and Sahitya Akademi Award (2010). He has also served on several juries set up for selection of Konkani Literary Awards.
The Kavita Trust
The Kavita Trust a non-profit organization, dedicated to the propagation of Konkani Poetry and Literature is the brainchild of Melvyn Rodrigues Sahitya Akademi awardee and Konkani language activist. Although the Trust began its activities in Dubai in the year 2002, it registered as a Trust in Mangalore, India, in 2007 with Melvyn Rodrigues as its first President. In pursuit of its objectives, the Trust undertakes the following activities:
- Joseph Mathias and Family Poetry Award – Since 2008, every year, the trust confers “Joseph Mathias and Family Poetry Award” to the poets for their commendable contribution to Konkani Poetry. The award is sponsored by Joseph Mathias of Merit Freight Systems, Dubai.
- Endowment Lecture – The James and Shobha Mendonca Endowment Lecture on Poetry is an annual feature. Eminent poets are invited to share their knowledge and views on various topics related to poetry.
- Competitions – The Trust conducts annual competitions for students and children to promote interest in Poetry and identify talent. These competitions include the All India Konkani Poetry Writing Competition for Students, All India Konkani Poetry Reciting Competition for Youth, and the All India Konkani Poetry Reciting Competition for Children.
- Kavita Fest / Sambhram (Konkani Poetry Festival) – The Kavita Trust conducts Kavita Fest / Sambhram, a celebration of Konkani poetry, every year. The first such festival was held in 2007.
- Publications – The Kavita Trust has so far published 26 poetry collections, critical essays, 1 musical Album, and other books.
Again we reiterate: If you are in the UAE on the 1st of November 2019, be there to welcome and listen to Melvyn Rodrigues. don’t miss it. Call 0582997292 / 0557100065 or write to geetgazaaluae@gmail.com to learn more.
