Mangaluru: Reciting poetry at cemetery; unique experiment in Konkani

Bellevision Media Network

Mangaluru, 03 Mar 2015: Konkani poetry is gaining strength. Kavita Trust has been making its honest attempts to take Konkani poetry to global audience in the past 15 years. It has been attracting the new generation of Konkans towards Konkani poetry by organizing poetry recitation competitions, talks, book release and annual Kavita Fest. It’s holding various experiments in promoting Konkani poetry worldwide.

 

The late Apollo Thomas Lobo is known to Konkani literary world by his penname A T Lobo. He is also accomplished dramatist. Kavita Trust organized the poetic journey by observing A T Lobo’s ninety-fifth death anniversary here on Monday March 2. It was held at the ancestral home of A T Lobo, house of his dear friends and of course at Bejai parish cemetery where his mortal remains lie by releasing his poetry book, holding seminar and reading his poetry at all the abovementioned 3 venues.

 

The poetry recitation programme was held first at the house of Lawrence Lobo, brother of A T Lobo. The renowned singer Anil Patrao and group presented melodies composed by A T Lobo in his lifetime.   

 

A T Lobo’s sister Monti and Lawrence released a book on A T Lobo, poetry journey, love songs that was published by Kavita Trust, from the dump of old books on the occasion.

 

 

‘A T Lobo incorporated Hindi melodies in Konkani music. Its worthy for future reference,’ opined Kavita Trust chairman Melvyn Rodrigues.

 

He also reminisced on A T Lobo’s struggle to sustain his family in difficult times while working in Mumbai during 1950 - 1960 and above all his contributions to Konkani literature.  His poems on variety of topics were read on the occasion.  

 

The well wisher of A T Lobo and Konkani litterateurs later gathered at the house of Raymond Lobo, close friend of A T Lobo. The dramatists Felix Saldanha and Carmelita Goveas shared the old memories of chatting with A T Lobo at a meeting point in Kottara Cross, here.  

 

At last, all of them gathered at Bejai parish cemetery where the grave of A T Lobo was decorated with flowers. ‘Some people leave behind legacy of their lifetime achievement and become mortal because of A T Lobo’s literary contributions. He is living in our midst because the presence of all at his grave is the testimony,’ said Fr Richard D’Souza, director of Canara Communication Centre.  

 

A few melodies of A T Lobo were sung and floral tributes were offered for his departed soul on the occasion.

 

It was indeed meaningful to pay homage to multi-talented A T Lobo in a unique manner and the people marvelled at the experiment.