Panjim, Goa – At a recent two-day writers’ gathering organized by the Institute Menezes Braganza at SRK Farm, Khandpar, prominent literary voices came together to spotlight the evolving landscape of Goan literature — with a special emphasis on the vital role of women poets in shaping the state’s rich cultural narrative.
Delivering an insightful talk, folklore scholar, teacher, and researcher Pournima Kerkar highlighted the significant yet often underappreciated contributions of women poets to Goan literature, especially in the Marathi language. “Their poetry brings a deeply personal, lyrical, and authentic voice to our literary canvas,” Kerkar noted. “Though mainstream recognition has been slow, their work is finally receiving the attention it deserves.”
John Aguiar, renowned poet and the presiding dignitary at the event, underscored the importance of nurturing young literary talent. In his closing remarks, Aguiar called for increased efforts to cultivate a culture of poetry reading and appreciation among the youth. “We need to inspire a generation that not only consumes but also creates literary literature that captures the essence of Goa,” he said.
Joining the discussion were Shri Ramesh Vaskar, journalist, writer, and poet, and Sheetal Salgaonkar, writer and poet, who brought forward valuable insights into the creative process and progression of Goan poetry.
Vaskar encouraged poets to draw from their lived experiences while aiming for artistic depth and originality. “Relatable, sincere poetry that goes beyond surface-level self-expression has the power to move hearts and minds,” he said.
Sheetal Salgaonkar contributed by presenting an overview of the evolution of Goan poetry, noting how it has become more inclusive and diverse in theme and voice, particularly with the rising presence of women writers.
As the gathering progressed, the conversation shifted to the soul of Goan poetry — its deep connection to the land and culture. Quoting iconic works like Manohar Rai Sardesai’s “Othra June”, Borkar’s “Nilya Khadichya Katala”, Vishnu Wagh’s “Ghumche Kattar Ghum”, and Ramesh Ghadi’s “Avoi Mhaka Chitint Goenchi Mati Dhad Ge”, participants reflected on how Goan poetry “smells of the soil” — rooted in memory, nature, and cultural identity.
Aguiar also emphasized the importance of standardizing Konkani poetry to preserve Goa’s literary heritage. He suggested that platforms like Institute Menezes Braganza and Ugtem Molob could play a pivotal role in facilitating poet readings, followed by critical discussions to help writers refine and improve their work.
This two-day gathering served not only as a celebration of literary talent but also as a call to action — to recognize the richness of women’s contributions, to inspire younger generations, and to preserve the authenticity and vibrance of Goa’s poetic traditions.
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