Since Konkani was declared an official language of Goa, it has been a part of the annual National Symposium of Poets that is held in different parts of the country. This year, the symposium is held at Aryabhatta Sabhagar, Morabadi, Ranchi, Jharkhand and Vishal Sinai Khandeparkar is the only Goan who has been selected from New Delhi. The two-day symposium will conclude today as 22 languages recognized by the Indian constitution, will be presented in beautiful poems on different themes. Organised by All India Radio since 1956, the symposium gives poets an important platform to present their languages. The beauty of it is that their poems are broadcasted on Republic Day on All India Radio at 10 pm.
Vishal Sinai Khandeparkar will present his Konkani poem ‘Shimevoilo Denvchar’. It is translated in English as ‘The Devil on the Outskirts’, by senior writer and distinguished translator from Goa, Mukesh Thali. The Hindi translation of the poem ‘Sarhad Ka Denvchar’ is done by Prof Aditya Sinai Bhangi and Mamata Verlekar.
“The poem, ‘The Denvchaar on the outskirts’ (Shimevelo Denvchar) focuses on the ‘Denvchaar’ a protector deity. The concretisation of a beautiful village has transformed into a city. Urbanization destroys the nature of the village. The poem discusses how the village trees like (Karo, Bhiran, Pimpal,) etc. were cut to meet this objective. Urbanization does not even eliminate the stigma attached to serving the village. The people of the village are in spirit of the Sunday and the Wednesday offerings. However, the tradition of offerings of Soor-Rot (wine, thick cake) is fading away. After locking up the slopes, the watchman is brought in by a builder to protect the village. The poem depicts the woes of the villagers who are incapable of taking their fight against the mighty builders,” explains Vishal, a writer and teacher from Shiroda in Ponda.
How does it feel to be a part of this prestigious symposium? “I have been writing in Konkani for the last 27 years. I have seen many ups and downs in my life. However, when the rural areas from the village of Shiroda -Ponda are represented by the Delhi All India Radio. I do feel proud but the real credit goes to my friends. Such events unify the country,” says Vishal.
Vishal has several books published in both Devnagari and Romi scripts. He has been writing in oHeraldo Konkani Diaz, Bhaangerbhuim, Vavraddeancho ixtt, Magazine lin Gulab, Goan Rewiew, Goyacho Pormoll, konkan Divo, Bhaangerbuim Magazine, Bimb, Jaag, Konkani etc.
He has been active in several Konkani organizations as a secretary and member for the past 25 years and has been a member of institutions like Konknni Kendr Shiroda, Konknni Bhaxa Monddal, Marg Abhiyan, Goa Konknni Akademi, Ashmitai Prathittan, Akashvani Kendr, Panaji, Dalgado Konknni Academy, Sahitya Porixodd etc.
For the last 24 years, he have been working as senior teacher at Konkani Bhasha Mandal School, Margao. “It is a real joy to see children as young as 9-10 years write such beautiful short stories and 4-5 line poems in both Romi and Devnagri Konkani. I have seen children grow into teenagers with love for Konkani and then turning into published authors. They need the initial push to guide them in the right direction,” adds Vishal.
Vishal was Awarded as ‘Best Yuva Srujonshil Kathakar’ award in 2015 for his story ‘Devchaar’ by Sahitya Akademy, Delhi, In 2022, he won the third place at the All India Poetry writing Competition for ‘Koncretancho Ganv ani denvchar’. He was awarded the Thomas Stephens Konkanni Kendr, Martir Vaz Konkani Award for ‘Zodd Kaxanv’ (Romi Konkanni kotha jhelo) in 2023.