Entries called for Konkani poetry competition

Kavita Trust that has been striving to promote Konkani poetry in all its form will be organizing All India Konkani Poetry Reading Competition in the months of October and November. The competition is open to all between the age group of 15 years to 30 years. Participants will get a chance to read their poetry or any one Konkani poem by another poet.

The competition will be held in two stages - in Mangalore and in Goa in October/ November. The competition that will be held in Mangalore is open to people from Karnataka and other states except Goa. The one that will be held in Goa is exclusively meant for Goans.

Participants will get one-and-a-half minute and a maximum of three minutes to read their poetry, a copy of which must be submitted to the organizers at the venue, with proof of age. The matter should be typed and must include the name of the poem and the poet, address, telephone number, age and e-mail ID.

Kavita Trust will not reimburse any expense borne by the competitors in the first stage. Ten competitors in each from Mangalore and Goa will be shortlisted  for the finals that will be held during Kavita Fest which will be held at Moodubelle on January 8, 2012. The competitors who participate in the final stage will be reimbursed travel and accommodation charges.

Full report here Daijiworld

Ramayana literature is the key

All India Konkani Parishad  and the Konkani Language & Cultural Foundation, Mangalore  are jointly organizing a two day National Seminar on the Ramayanas in Konkani, at the World Konkani Centre, Mangalore on 2nd and 3rd October, 2010.

The Seminar, which  will have Sessions on Literary, Linguistic and Folklore aspects of  the Ramayana literature and oral traditions in Konkani will be inaugurated by  Dr. M. Veerappa Moily, Union Minister for  Law and Justice, and  the author of Ramayana Mahaanveshanam in Kannada. Dr. H. Shantaram, President of the Konkani Parishad will preside over the function and Mr. Uday Bhembre, eminent writer will deliver the keynote address.

The session on literary aspect will be chaired by Dr. Harischandra Nagvekar. While Dr. Sunita Bai (Kochi). Mrs. Priyadarshni Tadkodkar (Goa) Dr. Sonia Sirsat (Goa) will  present papers.

Dr. William  D’Silva will  preside over the Second Session on Linguistics Aspects of  various Ramayana  versions in Konkani, in which  papers will be presented by Dr. Rocky V. Miranda (Mysore), Dr. Madhavi Sardesai (Goa) and Mr. Gokuldas Prabhu.

Full report here Mangalorean

Now, you can grab a PhD in Tulu

Interested in doing a PhD in Tulu language? Though it's not possible in Karnataka or Mangalore University, those interested in pursuing their doctoral thesis in the Dravidian language, can do at Dravida University at Kuppam in Andhra Pradesh.

Chandrahas Rai B, registrar, Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy, told TOI that students who have completed their Masters in Kannada are eligible as the script followed for Tulu is Kannada.

He said they have come to know that already eight students have registered for PhD, according to Shivakumar, head, Tulu department at the university. The students will have to complete their Tulu diploma after enrolling to the doctoral programme.

Full report here Times of India 

Seminar on Konkani Ramayanas

Konkani Language and Cultural Foundation in association with All India Konkani Parishad will organize a two-day national seminar on Konkani Ramayanas at World Konkani Centre in Mangalore from October 2. Union law minister M Veerappa Moily, who has to his credit `Ramayana Mahaanveshanam', a epic poetry in Kannada will inaugurate the seminar. Uday Bembhre, Konkani scholar, will deliver the keynote address.

Mattur Krishnamoorthy, director, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and Indologist, will be the chief guest at the valedictory function on October 3. In Konkani, Ramayana narration is found both in verse and prose. The story has been told in full or part in folksongs of the Kudubis and ritualistic forms like 'Godde Ramayana' of Kochi, 'Sita Suddi' and 'Sita Kalyan' of Northern Kerala/South Canara and the Ramayan Ranmale of Cancon.

Some other texts of Ramayana too are available in written form in Konkani `Ramayanachyo Kannyo', ascribed to Krishnadas Shama is a 16th century prose. During the 1930s, late Kamalammal wrote the 'Raghuramayana' in Ovi style verse. There have also been adapted versions by late Narahari Vittal Prabhu of Gokarn and recently, the translation of Ramacharitmanas by K Ananta Bhat of Kochi.

Full report here Times of India 

National seminar on Konkani Ramayanas

Konkani Language and Cultural Foundation in association with All India Konkani Parishad will organise a Two Day National Seminar on Konkani Ramayanas at World Konkani Centre in Mangalore on 2nd and 3rd October.

Union Minister of Law Dr. M. Veerappa Moily, who has to his credit Ramayana Mahaanveshanam a epic poetry in Kannada has consented to inaugurate the Seminar  on 2nd October 2010 at 10.00 A.M. Adv. Uday Bembhre, an eminent Konkani Scholar will deliver a Keynote address.

Dr. Mattur Krishnamoorthy, Director of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and Indologist will be the chief guest at the Valedictory Function on 3rd October 2010 at 4.00 p.m.

In Konkani, Ramayana narration is found in  both  verse and prose. The story  has been told in full or part in folksongs of the Kudubis and  ritualistic forms like Godde Ramayana of Kochi, Sita Suddi and Sita Kalyan of Northern Kerala/South Canara  and the Ramayan Ranmale of Cancon. Some  other texts of Ramayana too are available in written form in Konkani .  Ramayanachyo Kannyo, ascribed to Krishnadas Shama is in 16th century prose.  During 1930s  Late Kamalammal  wrote  the  Raghuramayana in Ovi style verse.  There have also been an  adapted version by  late Narahari Vittal Prabhu of Gokarn  and recently, the translation of  Ramacharitmanas  by  K. Ananta Bhat of Kochi.

Full report here Mangalorean

Konkani Writers’ Forum Karnataka pays tribute to Ravindra Kalekar

Konkani Writers’ Forum, Karnataka organized a condolence meeting on 5th September 2010 to pay tribute to Jnanapeeth award winning Konkani  Writer Ravinda Kelekar who passed away recently, at Dirvem Mini Hall, Mangalore.

H M Pernal, General Secretary of the Forum welcomed the gathering and introduced the speaker Dr. William R Da Silva , Professor of Social Science and Communication and Director of School of Konkani Studies and Research, Mangalore to the audience.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. William R Da Silva said “Though Kelekar was influenced by Gandhian thinking,  he was nourishing an ambition to become an ‘aamdaar’ ( MLA ) one day. Though he was not a strong supporter of  Standardization in Konkani,  he took the first initiative to compile the bibliography of all works published in Konkani spread across Goa, Mangalore, Mumbai and Cochin irrespective of scripts.

Full report here Bellevision

Wahab Doddamane honoured

Well known writer and researcher Mr. Wahab Doddamane of Mangalore was felicitated by the litterateurs in a function that was organised for releasing his book "Tulu Nadige Dharmasthalada Kodugegalu" It was released by the former president of the State Kannada Sahitya Parishat Mr. Harikrishna Punaroor in a simple function.

Mr. Wahab Doddamane has brought out this book highlighting the contributions made by the Dharmasthala institutions to the Tulunadu. He has elucidated in his book a number of achievements of Dharmasthala that has enriched the life of people in Tulunadu including the socio cultural aspect. He has made special mention of the Self Help Groups floated by the Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Programme  in improving the economic life of the poor people.

Full report here Mangalorean

Litterateur releases textbooks at university

A series of text books were released at a programme hosted at Ravindra Kala Bhavan, University College in Mangalore on Friday, August 6.

Five books were released by litterateur Amruth Someshwar, three books each by Prof T C Shivashankar Moorthy, vice chancellor, Mangalore University, and Prof Chinnappa Gowda, registrar, Mangalore University.

Someshwar said that the books were compiled with great care and effort and that they contain aspects of regional culture.

Full report here Daijiworld

Mangala series of books released

The Vice Chancellor of Mangalore University Prof. Shivashankar Murthy has called on the scholars to intensify their research in production of books that will enhance the knowledge level of the general public.

He was speaking after releasing the Mangala Patya Pusthaka Malike (Mangala text book series) published by the Prasaranga (Publication division) of Mangalore University here today.

The programme was organised by 'Vikasa' the association of Mangalore university college teachers at the University College here today. Three books were released on this occasion.

Full report here Mangalorean

Kannada Translation of Quran Released

The Kannada translation of holy Quran by Syed Habeebullah Pookoya Tangal Madani, renowned writer and scholar, and published by Al-Madeena and Marseen Publications, Mangalore, was released on the premises of Syed Madani Dargah, Ullal in Mangalore on Saturday July 31.

R Mohammad Madani, Marseen Publications, recited a few verses from the Quran after which Al-Haj Fazal Koyamma Tangal, Koora carried out the dua and released the translated version of the Quran titled 'Pavitra Quran' by handing over the first copy to Mangalore MLA U T Khader.

Al-Haj Ibrahim Musliyar Bekal, Udupi kazi, in his inaugural address, said that the translated versions of the holy Quran will help remove misconceptions about the religion of Islam from the minds of the people, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Udupi kazi lauded teh efforts as without translation a layman would find it difficult to have greater understanding of Quran originally in Arabic.

Full report here Daijiworld

Abbakka award for Shakunthala, Geethabai

Noted Kannada - Tulu writer H Shakunthala Bhat will be honoured with ‘Veerarani Abbakka Prashasti’ while the ‘Rani Abbakka Puraskara’ will be bestowed on International powerlifter Geethabai Ullal on the occasion of 7th Veerarani Abbakka Utsava 2010 to be organised by the Veerarani Abbakka Utsava Samiti in association with Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy at Thokkottu near here on May 22 and 23.

Addressing a press conference here, Mangalore MLA and Veerarani Abbakka Utsava Samiti Honourary President U T Khader said that the awards, which includes Rs 10,000 and citation, will be presented to the achievers at the valedictory of the festival on May 23.

Home Minister Dr V S Acharya, District-in-Ccharge Minister J Krishna Palemar will be the guests.

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa will be the guest at the cultural programme titled ‘Abbakka Devige Nada Prabhu Namana’.

Full report here Mangalorean.com

Prof SVP award for Kannada critic

Prof S V Parameshwar Bhatta Memorial Award instituted by Prof SVP Samsmarana Samithi, Mangalore, was accorded to noted literary critic T P Ashok at a function held at Canara College premises here on Saturday.

Receiving the award Ashok said that it was time to rethink about our cultural values in the backdrop of globalization.

Expressing concern over the brain drain phenomena in our country, he said the present education system had become a workshop to shape and supply talented youth to the West. The talent of our young generation was being used for the benefit of MNCs instead of for the benefit of our country and people, he rued.

Full report here Times of India

Tulu now an optional language

The government of Karnataka has cleared the proposal to teach Tulu as an optional third language in Udupi and Mangalore. The government order has been released on 26th March which has been signed by the under secretary of the government Mr. M.N. Somashekar.

The order said Tulu can be taught as the optional third languages in areas where Tulu is spoken. The teaching can take place in Udupi and Mangalore districts from next academic year, schools can hire Tulu scholars for teaching Tulu and they should make arrangements to train the teachers the order stated. Both private and government schools can take it up.

It could be recalled here that Tulu activists and various organizations had been putting pressure on the government for this order. Speaking to Mangalorean.com Mr. Uday Dharmasthala member of the Tulu Academy said the government had okayed the teaching from 2010-2011. "This had been a long standing demand of the Tuluvas in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada. The government has cleared to be taught after sixth standard which has come as a boon to the furtherance of the Tulu culture in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts."

Full report here Mangalorean.com

Touring US library opens in Mangalore

If all goes well during the visit of the U.S. President Barack Obama this year end, he would visit few cities in South India according to Ragini Gupta acting counsel of Public Affairs of Amercian Consulate on Wednesday, Feb 24.

Ms. Gupta during the course of her address to a select group of audience on the occasion of inauguration of touring library of the United State consulate told that Mr. Obama has special liking for South India.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. K.K. Achary in charge vice chancellor of Mangalore university said that the libraries are the treasure houses of knowledge and everybody should make good use of them to be an empowered citizens. He said great civilizations in the past had great libraries like Alexandria, Taxila and Nalanda in India. But many of them had been burnt down by invaders from foreign countries. Dr. Achary said the libraries are a product of evolution of human kind and its intellectual and literary prowess.

Full report here Mangalorean.com

Shobhaa De turns activist!

To protest the recent attacks on women in two of Karnataka's leading cities, Bangalore and Mangalore, author Shobhaa De has formed the Sita Sene.

The group will gather volunteers - men and women - in Mumbai and meet at the Gateway of India on March 8, International Women's Day to protest.

According to information on her blog, a strong action plan is advocated, along with a helpline for women in distress and other measures.

Her blog reads, "I read the reports of fresh attacks on women in Bangalore and felt sickened. `This must stop!' I said to myself. The idea of launching a Sita Sena to counter the Ravanas came to me in a flash. I communicated it to my dear, dear 'blogdost' Aham, who immediately swung into action and created a site. His plan is to congregate at the Gateway of India on March 8, International Women's Day," she wrote on the blog.

She warns against people not taking action. "This is why I want the campaign to be a pan-India initiative. And soon we will have several Kabuls sprouting up all over India. Shame the men. Show your contempt. Speak up!"