THE GOAN NETWORK | LONDON
The stage is set for the launch of Europe’s first-ever ‘Konkani Kovita Academy’ in the UK, as reputed Konkani poets and supporters of the Konkani language come together under one umbrella.
The announcement was aired recently by RJ Roque Vaz during one of his two-hour non-stop Konkani radio shows ‘Konkani Uloi London Fuloi’ broadcasted from Awaaz 99.8 FM community radio station based in Southampton, South England.
Southampton, which is located in Hampshire County of England, has a proud seafaring history and is a gateway for international trade, a hub of maritime innovation and a port-of-call for thousands of Goan seafarers who work in the cruise industry.
PURPOSE
RJ Roque Vaz, who is also a founder member and current President of Golden Goa Association, Southampton, said: “Ever since we set in motion Europe’s first radio FM service in Konkani in 2018, it has been my dream to set up a Konkani Kovita Academy on European soil to develop, promote and preserve Konkani poetry for posterity.”
“We have welcomed Konkani poets, both newcomers and accomplished, to compose and recite Konkani poetry on our radio show and on average, we have produced and transmitted about half a dozen poems every week on our radio show. We are celebrating our 150th Konkani radio show in the UK on May 6, which also coincides with the coronation of King Charles III.”
“We have promoted and given a platform to hundreds of poetry composers and reciters on our radio show and beamed over a thousand Konkani poems. The unique aspect is that we treat both novices and award-winning established poets with the same degree of respect and dignity.”
“We have also trained people of different ages and from various countries, cities and villages across the globe to compose, recite and record poems in Konkani in all the scripts exclusively for our radio show.”
“Therefore, the launch of a ‘Konkani Kovita Academy’ in the UK was quite imminent with the passage of time because our whole team at Awaaz 99.8 FM has been doing exactly what a literary academy does in the last five years,” added Vaz.
POPULARITY
Vaz admitted that Konkani poetry is a beautiful part of Konkani literature but it has not reached the height of popularity, showmanship and glamour in comparison to Konkani songs, which enjoy immense viewership and dish out entertainment, especially on social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube.
“So, it will be the endeavour and challenge of the upcoming academy in the UK to popularise the concept of Konkani poetry as a form of literary art, especially among the younger generation on the international stage of Konkani literature. Composing a Konkani poem from scratch and then reciting it is not just an exciting way to learn and promote our Konkani language but an academic exercise too,” says Vaz.
PROMOTION
Vaz, who himself writes poems, recites and trains beginners to record and broadcast on the popular radio show, has taken the initiative by bringing together enthusiastic poets, who are based in the UK.
He has also formed an ad-hoc managing committee comprising Bihula Vaz (Treasurer – Southampton UK) and co-presenter/creative director of ‘Konkani Uloi London Fuloi’, popular poets Mariano Lucas Diniz (President - Hayes UK), Adrian Fernandes (Vice-President - Wembley UK), Steve Franky Varela (General Secretary – Hounslow UK), Daisy Rodrigues (Hounslow UK), Teddy Teodosio Rodrigues and Jovito Rodrigues, both based in Farnham UK, some of whom have published books of Konkani poems, along with Mark Silva, a well-known youth worker from Southall-London, who himself has recited poems on the radio show and octogenarian Rene Barreto from London, pioneer of World Goa Day, a staunch supporter and promoter of the Konkani language.
“A draft constitution has been approved and ratified by the founding members of the proposed new academy and they will all formally meet together in London to officially launch the academy,” informed Vaz.
Vaz said celebrated Konkani writers and poets Pandharinath Lotlikar, Vincy Quadros, Ashok Chodankar, Lino Dourado, Michael Gracias, John Aguiar, Manuel Fernandes, Rui Coelho, Menino Almeida, Cezar D’Mello, Anthony Correia Pienkar, Prakash Naik, Sonali Pednekar, Narendra Kamat, Tancia Pires, Manisha Pereira and several personalities in the field of Konkani literature have expressed their strong support and pledged assistance to the Kovita Academy, most of whom are regular participants on the Konkani radio show broadcasted from England.
In the meanwhile, to start the ball rolling with regard to the academy launch, Vaz has announced a cash prize of Rs 10,000 for the most viewed poetry recitation broadcasted via the radio show in the UK.
The prize is being sponsored by Bihula Vaz with an aim to promote Konkani poetry worldwide and will be awarded on November 2, the 5th anniversary of the radio show. Details on this poetry recitation contest are being announced on the Konkani radio show ‘Konkani Uloi London Fuloi’ on Awaaz 99.8 FM UK and via the RADIO UK App on smartphones and simultaneously broadcasted live on the Facebook Page, Konkani Uloi London Fuloi.
