The Sahitya Akademi's GRAMALOK Village Program was held at Nirkan.

Unique literary event GRAMALOK by Sahitya Akademi & ICYM Nirkan unit: Poetry, fiction, and culture showcased with renowned authors and performers.

on Aug 16, 2023

The Sahitya Akademi's GRAMALOK Village Program was held at Nirkan | Frontlist

Mangaluru: On Sunday, August 13th 2023, Sahitya Akademi, in collaboration with the Indian Catholic Youth Movement Nirkan unit, conducted a one-of-a-kind literary program titled GRAMALOK at St Thomas School Auditorium Nirkan. H M Pernal, Sahitya Akademi Language Advisory Board Member for Konkani, briefed the audience on the Sahitya Akademi programs and introduced Geo D Silva, chairperson of the program, and poets Bantwala Suresh Baliga, Kiran, Nirkan, and Fiction Writer Panchu Bantwal, as well as lullaby singer Roseline Moras. The dais was escorted by ICYM Nirkan unit president Sweedal Rodrigues and Convenor of Konkani in Sahitya Akademi and Executive Council Member Poet Melvyn Rodrigues.

Bantwal Suresh Baliga, a poet and lyricist, read three poems on the topics of Poster Boy, Missing Poetry, and Identity Cards. Fiction Panchu Bantwal read from his short fiction Sugarcane Field (Kobacho Gado). Rosaline Moras, an educator and folklore artist, performed Lullabies with Notes alongside Veena Moras. Kiran Nirkan, a poet and writer, read three poems: Mai, Bidiyechem Sup, and Baayl. Geo Agrar summarized the talks and then read his poem - Dining Hall - as a finale.

The vote of appreciation was proposed by ICYM President Nirkan Sweedal Rodrigues, while Sahitya Akademi Executive Council Member Poet Melvyn Rodrigues handed up Konkani volumes to the guest poets as a show of gratitude. The show was delivered by Stany Bela, a member of the Konkani Sahitya Akademi's Language Advisory Board. More than 100 persons from Nirkan and ICYM office bearers from Batwal Deanery attended the unique program by Sahitya Akademi aimed at promoting literature and language in rural areas.