Develop literary base created by ancestors: Basti

Literature needs to be appreciated. People need to leave behind their inhibitions, barriers, compartmentalisations and critically appreciate literature and hence help in its enhancement, said Konkani Bhas and Sanskriti Prathisthan President Basti Vaman Shenoy after inaugurating a symposium "Century Growth of Konkani Novels," organised by Sahitya Akademi and Raknno Konkani Weekly at Bishop's House in Mangalore on Saturday.

"We should provide a stage for Konkani literature to grow by organising literary meets, symposiums, seminars and discussions. The literary work by our ancestors has created a literary base and we need to develop it and pass it on to the future," he said and added that Konkani literature can be enhanced and made to reach places by translating the works in other languages.

Sahitya Akademi Konkani Advisory Board Convener Pundalik Naik said that the biggest challenge Konkani literature faces today is 'Script Barrier'. However, there seems to be an answer in Script translation softwares.

"Novels are independent literary works. Novels do not depend on size. They differ from each other in story, character, style and grammar. Novels are not expansion of stories.
They have their unique identity," he said. He also pointed out that many have used novels for propaganda. Such novels tend to be boring, he said and discussed about Konkani novels authored by eminent writers over the years.

Writer and critic Stephen Quadros took up a session 'Historical perspective on the Growth of Konkani Novels in Karnataka'. Dr Edward L Nazareth gave an analytical perspective of Konkani novels growth in patterns, plots, themes, characters, structures, styles, locality, climate, climax and changed times. The session was chaired by renowned Konkani novelist Edwin J F D'Souza.

Session on 'Growth of Konkani novels in Goa - A historical as well as analytical perspective of novels in Devnagiri script' was taken up by Dr Bushan Bave, a famous academician and critic from Goa. Renowned novelist  from Goa Willy Goes spoke on 'Novels in Romi Script - A historic as well as analytical perspective'. Sahitya Akademi Winner G Gokuldas Prabhu chaired the session.

Basti Vaman Shenoy also inaugurated the Sahitya Akademi books exhibition and sale which will be open from October 6 to 9. The Akademi also announced 20 per cent discount on all its publications.

Sahitya Akademi Regional Office, Officer In-Charge Krishna Kimbahune, Sahitya Akademi Konkani Advisory Board Member Rev Fr Francis Rodrigues were present.