Tag: Konkani literature

Events in Goa

Goa Book Festival 2026 Draws 1.25 Lakh Visitors, Sets a New Chapter for Literary Culture

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The first edition of the Goa Book Festival 2026 concluded on Sunday, 8 February, at the DB Bandodkar Grounds, Panaji, marking a significant milestone in Goa’s cultural and literary landscape. Held from 4 to 8 February under the theme “An Ocean of Books”, the festival attracted an impressive footfall of over 1.25 lakh visitors over five days, reflecting a growing enthusiasm for books, reading, and meaningful dialogue across age groups.

Readers, writers, publishers, educators, students, and families came together for a packed programme that blended literature with cinema, history, spirituality, language, music, and art. One of the highlights of the final day was the session “The Many Lives of Sachin Pilgaonkar”, where the veteran actor-director reflected on language, cinema, and the role reading played in shaping his creative journey. Sharing anecdotes from his early years, he spoke about learning spoken Urdu under the guidance of Meena Kumari, refining Marathi with support from his wife and Ashok Saraf, and memorable moments from films like Sholay and Brahmachari. He concluded the session with a soulful rendition of “Kaun Disha Mein Leke Chala”, leaving the audience visibly moved.

Spiritual leader and author Acharya Prashant, in his session “Understanding the Self in Everyday Life”, addressed the deep dissatisfaction many experience in modern life. He spoke candidly about how people often chase validation and material markers rather than true inner satisfaction, encouraging introspection and honesty as pathways to lasting fulfilment.

The Author’s Corner remained a vibrant space for ideas and dialogue throughout the day. Events included the prize distribution ceremony for the photography competition themed “Goa: Festival & Culture”, a book release by noted Konkani writer Vithal Gavde (Parvadkar), and a panel discussion on the development of the Konkani language featuring eminent speakers from literary and academic circles. Conversations on education, ancient wisdom, and multilingual poetry further enriched the programme.

The Children’s Corner emerged as a major attraction, with nearly 500 students participating in interactive storytelling, folk dance and music performances, creative design sessions, and introductions to digital reading platforms like the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya. Sessions celebrating Goa’s revived Kaavi Art drew enthusiastic participation from both children and parents, blending learning with hands-on creativity.

Evenings at the festival resonated with music and performance, culminating on the final day with an enthralling set by Kerala-based indie band Shanka Tribe, whose fusion of tribal rhythms and contemporary sounds created an immersive experience for audiences.

Across five days, the festival hosted conversations with prominent journalists, historians, filmmakers, legal experts, philosophers, authors, actors, and even an astronaut, ensuring wide-ranging engagement across disciplines. The book fair, featuring over 250 stalls from more than 100 publishers, remained abuzz throughout, with visitors exploring books in English, Konkani, Marathi, and several other Indian languages.

With strong participation, vibrant discussions, and a warm response from readers of all ages, the Goa Book Festival 2026 has laid the foundation for a lasting literary tradition in the state—one where books, ideas, and communities continue to meet and grow together.

Books & Literature

Launch of John Aguiar’s Konkani Poetry Collection “Thembe” on February 28 in Panaji

Swara Bodke

Written by Intern Swara Bodke || Team Allycaral

PANAJI, GOA – Writer, poet and lyricist John Aguiar is set to release his latest collection of Konkani poems, titled Thembe (Drops), further strengthening his contribution to contemporary Konkani literature.
The book release ceremony will be held on February 28, 2026, at 3.30 pm at Shenai Goembab Sabhaghar, Goa Konkani Akademi (BSNL Building), 5th floor, Patto, Panaji. The book will be released at the hands of Dr Purnanand Chari, Chairman of the Konkani Akademi. Smt Aparna Garudi will speak on the book, while Shri Ramesh Ghadi, Vice Chairman of the Konkani Akademi, will attend as Guest of Honour. Poet Prakash Naik will be a special guest at the event.
The function is organised by Ugtem Molob. Shri Vivek Pissurlekar, President of Ugtem Molob, has appealed to writers, poets and literature enthusiasts to attend the function in large numbers.
John Aguiar is widely recognised for his versatility, writing across Romi and Devanagari Konkani, English and Marathi. His works are known for their deep engagement with Goan culture, social realities and the subtleties of everyday life.


A retired officer from the Government of Goa’s Department of Information and Publicity, Aguiar brings a journalist’s clarity and precision to his creative writing. Beyond literature, he is also a well-known lyricist, with several of his songs regularly aired on All India Radio.
His published works span multiple genres. His poetry collections include Paulam, Gulmohar, Sanz and Olyo Yadi, which won the 2017 Konkani Bhasha Mandal’s Rock Barretto Literary Award. His essay collections include Offside (English) and Mandovichea Dege Voilean (Roman Konkani), while his dramatic works include Sonvgam, a collection of one-act plays in Roman Konkani.
One of the early milestones in his career was the publication of the booklet Jinn in 1982–83, which was released by noted writer, poet and lyricist Advocate Uday Bhembre, then President of the Konkani Bhasha Mandal, at Chowgule College during Aguiar’s student days.

Books & Literature

Dr. Rajay Pawar’s Research Book ‘Kavyakriya’ Released at St. Aloysius University, Mangalore

rencygomes02

Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Mangalore: The book Kavyakriya, the latest research work by renowned Konkani poet, essayist and playwright Dr. Rajay Pawar, was released on Monday at St. Aloysius University, Mangalore.


The book was formally released by Rev. Dr. Pravin Martis, S.J., Vice-Chancellor of St. Aloysius University, in the presence of Registrar Dr. Ronald Nazareth.

Kavyakriya focuses on the intricate process of poetry creation and offers an in-depth academic exploration of how poetic expression evolves from thought to form. The book carries a blurb written by eminent critic and educationist Dr. Bhushan Bhave.

Dr. Rajay Pawar is a prolific Konkani writer with several acclaimed works to his credit. His poetry collections include Pavsfula and Aajol Album, while his essay collections include Girmit and Oli-Suki. He has also written a number of popular plays such as Jamle Re Jamle, Anta Anta Shirimanta, Amcho Hat Jagannath, Darne Ka Nay, and Tension Free. His research work Konkani Ksvitecho Itihas is also widely recognised in Konkani literary circles.

The book release event was attended by Sahitya Akademi awardee and Goa University professor Dr. Prakash Parienkar, along with members of the academic and literary community.

National

26th All India Konkani Sahitya Sammelan Applauds Goa Government; Passes Key Resolutions on Language and Culture

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The 26th All India Konkani Sahitya Sammelan, held in Ernakulam, Kerala, concluded with a series of significant resolutions aimed at strengthening the Konkani language, its literary ecosystem, and cultural institutions. Delegates unanimously commended the Goa government for its unequivocal stand on the Official Language Act, particularly in response to demands seeking changes by proponents of Marathi and those advocating for the introduction of Roman script in Konkani education. The Sammelan appealed to opposition MLAs in Goa not to politicize the issue, emphasizing that the future of students and the state’s secular fabric must be protected.

Among the key resolutions passed was the appeal to extend Goa’s scheme of grants for book publishers to include writers from neighbouring states whose works are published by Goan publishers, thereby broadening the scope and reach of Konkani literature. Another resolution urged the government to establish primary schools in talukas where not a single Konkani-medium school exists, addressing a long-standing gap in early education accessibility in the language. Delegates also called for the creation of a Goa Film Development Corporation, noting the rising number of films from the region winning international recognition and the need for structured support, including the screening of short films in local theatres ahead of regular shows.

The two-day event, hosted by several Konkani organisations in Kerala, featured Chief Guest Justice N. Nagresh, who stressed that spoken Konkani is essential for the survival of the language. Citing UNESCO’s classification of endangered languages as critically, severely, definitely, or vulnerable, he urged attendees to introspect on where Konkani currently stands. Guest of Honour and acclaimed Kannada writer Jayant Kaykini described himself as a Konkani writer creating literature in Kannada and spoke about the power of poetry to make readers restless, encouraging emerging writers to fully immerse themselves in the world of literature. The event also featured addresses by Sammelan President Madhav Borkar and All India Konkani Parishad Working President Chetan Acharya. Titus Noronha compered the function, and Sneha Sabnis delivered the vote of thanks. The Sammelan concluded with renewed commitment toward protecting and promoting Konkani language and culture across regions.

Books & Literature

Madhav Borkar to Preside Over 26th All India Konkani Literature Conference in Kerala

Tanisha Cardozo

Senior Konkani poet Madhav Borkar, also known as Veni Madhav Sridhar Sinai Borkar, has been named President of the 26th All India Literature Conference (Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Sammelan), organized by the All India Konkani Parishad. This prestigious literary gathering will be held on November 22 and 23 at the AJ Hall in Ernakulam, Kerala. The decision to appoint Borkar was taken at the recent general meeting of the Parishad.

Madhav Borkar is widely regarded as one of the most influential voices in contemporary Konkani literature. A poet of great depth and lyrical grace, his body of work includes acclaimed collections such as Chanwar, Vatache Savllyo, Ujvadacho Rukh, Parjalache Dar, Yaman, Avyaktachi Gaanni, Symphony, Mallbaache Janel, and Sukrut Fulam. His poetry is celebrated for its emotional intensity, philosophical insight, and connection to Konkani cultural roots.

Beyond his own writing, Borkar has contributed significantly to the preservation and promotion of Konkani literature. He has authored biographical works on renowned Konkani writers Pandurang Bhangui and Manohar Rai Sardesai, and translated Rabindranath Tagore’s poetry into Konkani, enriching the language’s literary heritage. His work Yaman earned him the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award, and he has also received the Sahitya Akademi Translation Award. Other accolades include the Konkani Bhasha Mandal award, T. M. A. Pai award, Vimla Pai Award of the World Konkani Centre, the Goa State Cultural Award, and recognition from the Goa Konkani Akademi.

Borkar’s role as a mentor to young poets and writers has been a defining aspect of his career. His dedication to nurturing talent and expanding the reach of Konkani literature continues to inspire a new generation of literary voices. He has also held the post of station director at All India Radio and previously served as president of the Goa Konkani Akademi.

The upcoming literary conference in Ernakulam is being organized with the joint efforts of Konkani organizations in Kerala. Delegates from across the country are expected to participate, and registrations have already begun. While accommodation and meals will be provided for two nights, travel expenses will need to be covered by the attendees.

The selection of Madhav Borkar as the president of the 26th Sahitya Sammelan is a recognition of his enduring contributions to the literary world and a celebration of Konkani language and culture on a national platform.