NT BUZZ
Goa University, Directorate of Visiting Research Professors Programme (D-VRPP), in collaboration with Dhaaee Aakhar Goa and Art Beat, hosted an event titled ‘Nhayche Tadir’ to celebrate storytelling, theatre, and artistic expression recently at the Conference Hall, Administration Block, Goa University, Taleigao.
The event, which included a dramatic reading and a play, was held under the Kavivarya Bakibaab Borkar alias Shri B.B. Borkar Chair in Comparative Literature of D-VRPP.
Vice Chancellor of Goa University, Rajendra Gad, said in his address that experimental learning and multilingual expression are part of the National Education Policy (NEP), as reflected in this format of Konkani story-reading and the multilingual play.
Director, D-VRPP and vice dean (Ph.D.) of Shenoi Goembab School of Languages and Literature, Goa University, Prakash Parienkar, spoke on D-VRPP and also his Konkani story, ‘Vithayichi Nhai ’, which was part of dramatic reading. He said that he has written about rivers many times in his short stories. But this story is different, as he wrote this story within a few hours and it is based on his personal observations related to women’s association with water. He added that women are more conscious about water and understand its relevance. His story beautifully reflects this aspect.
Founding member of Dhaaee Aakhar Goa and associate professor in Hindi at St. Xavier’s College, Ramita Gurav, in her address mentioned the power of storytelling, which is part of human civilisation for ages. She said that when a story is narrated, it develops a bond between the listener and the storyteller. It is also the art of listening. Thus, it is an important art form.
The event, which was attended by the students and the faculty of Goa University, then witnessed a dramatic reading of the Konkani short story ‘Vithayichi Nhai’ narrated by Mamata Verlekar and Ramita. It was then followed by the multilingual play, ‘The Last Song ’, which follows Iravati, a young girl who lives among the mangroves and dares to dream what lies beyond her world. This play, which is written and directed by Asavari Gurav of Art Beat, is an attempt to talk about how the abuse of our natural resources is the beginning of the end of our civilisation.
