Bhatkal’s Nawayathi Poetry Draws Appreciation at International Konkani Music Conference

Mangaluru (Fikrokhabar News): Bhatkal’s Nawayathi language and its distinctive literary tradition received international exposure at the first World Konkani Music Conference, which began at Town Hall in Mangaluru on November 3.

Artists from Bhatkal’s well known literary and cultural organisation, Nawayath Mehfil, presented traditional Nawayathi poetry and songs without using any musical instruments. Their performance received an encouraging response from the audience.

According to Nawayath Mehfil General Secretary Ishtiyaq Ruknuddin, around 300 teams are participating in the conference. The Bhatkal team was among the first ten teams given an opportunity to perform. Each team was allotted one hour, and Nawayath Mehfil presented its programme from 3 pm to 4 pm.

Bhatkal’s poets and singers performed different forms of Nawayathi poetry in the language’s distinctive rhythm and style. The decision to present all the compositions without musical instruments or background music attracted particular attention.

The traditional pronunciation, poetic expressions and style of singing made the performance distinctive. Audience members listened with interest and appreciated the artists.

Nawayath Mehfil Secretary Shabbir Ajaib said the team had been preparing for the international event for the past 45 days. A total of 18 poets, singers and artists took part, including Naufil Damudi, Samiullah Barmawar and Jilani Shabandari.

The participants appeared in traditional Nawayath Islamic attire and presented a series of Islamic songs and Nawayathi compositions.

Through their performance, the artists sought to highlight not only the literary qualities of the Nawayathi language but also its cultural identity and traditional heritage.

Nawayathi, spoken in Bhatkal and surrounding areas, has its own distinct linguistic and cultural identity. Some sections of the Konkani community associate the language with the wider Konkani linguistic and cultural tradition. The participation of Nawayathi artists in the international conference has therefore provided an opportunity to introduce Bhatkal’s literary heritage to a wider audience.

13 Day Conference Aims for World Record

The international conference has been organised by Konkani cultural organisation Mandd Sobhann to mark the 40th anniversary of its establishment. The event will continue until November 15.

The conference was inaugurated at 5 am on November 3 by Goa Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant. Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese Dr Peter Paul Saldanha also attended the inaugural programme.

The main objective of the conference is to bring together Konkani speaking communities from different parts of the world, promote various forms of Konkani music and encourage the younger generation to remain connected with their language, literature and culture.

One of the major highlights is an attempt to set a Guinness World Record through continuous singing. The initiative, titled “Konkani Nirantar, Sansar Sursuri”, aims to present songs continuously for 12 days, 12 hours and 12 minutes.

According to the organisers, more than 6,700 singers from around 300 teams are participating in the initiative. They are scheduled to perform over 4,500 songs arranged by more than 250 musicians and lyricists. The organisers have also planned to ensure that no singer gets a second opportunity and that no song is repeated.

Teams from different parts of India, as well as Australia, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar, are taking part. Goa alone has 53 participating teams.

At the inauguration, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant played the traditional Konkani instrument Ghumat to mark the beginning of the continuous singing record attempt.

Addressing the gathering, he appreciated the organisers for their efforts to promote Konkani language and culture. He said that although Konkani has different dialects, the people connected with the language share a common bond.

He noted that Konkani has official language status in Goa and acknowledged the contribution of Konkani speaking communities in Mangaluru and coastal Karnataka in preserving the language and its cultural traditions.

Sawant also announced that the Goa government would consider recognising individuals from outside the state who have made significant contributions to the promotion of Konkani language and culture.

Goa MLA Michael Lobo also remembered the contributions of the late Eric Ozario, saying that he had played an important role in promoting Konkani language and music while providing a platform for young artists to showcase their talents.

The concluding ceremony of the conference is scheduled for November 15, with the participation of the Karnataka Chief Minister expected.

A Platform for Nawayathi Cultural Recognition

Nawayath Mehfil’s participation has been welcomed as an important opportunity for Bhatkal’s literary and cultural community. The appreciation received by its artists for presenting traditional Nawayathi compositions without musical instruments has brought attention to the language’s distinctive poetic style and cultural heritage on an international platform.