NT Reporter | Panaji
The 26th Akhil Bhartiya Konkani Sahitya Sammelan will bring together around 700 delegates from across India for a two-day exploration of Konkani literature, culture and contemporary issues. Noted Goan Konkani writer Madhav Borkar will preside over the inaugural session, and Anil H Sawant, Deputy Director of the Directorate of Official Language, Goa government, will deliver the keynote address.
The event, organised by the Akhil Bhartiya Konkani Parishad, will be held on November 22 and 23 at Kalloor, Ernakula, Kerala.
To honour prominent literary personalities, the venue has been named Ashok Bhonslo Nagar after the poet and Konkani activist. The stage has been titled Anant Bhat Machi, the entrance gate Anant Narayanan Darvato, and the book exhibition zone has been named after Sushila Bhat and Shivanand Shenoy. Special sammelan mementos feature photographs of P G Kamath, Mario Miranda and V J P Saldhana, whose birth centenaries are being celebrated this year.
The conference will be inaugurated on November 22 at 10 am by writer and Saraswati Samman awardee Prabha Varma.
The valedictory function on November 23 at 3.30 pm will feature Justice Nagaresh of the Kerala High Court as chief guest, with Kannada writer Jayanth Kaikini as guest of honour. Over six sessions, the sammelan will explore diverse themes in Konkani literature with participation from several distinguished writers.
