The the Goa Arts and Literature Festival – in its 12th edition – struck a chord with the victims of war in Gaza, when award-winning poet Ranjit Hoskote made an impassioned plea for a prayer for the estimated 12,000 Palestinan children who have been killed in the present conflict.
Sporting a Palestinian 'keffiyeh' (the traditional scarf which has become a prominent symbol of Palestinian nationalism in the light of the present Israel-Palestinian conflict), Hoskote was speaking at the inaugural function of GALF at the International Centre Goa on the outskirts of Panjim.
In his keynote address lasting 16 minutes, the poet lamented that the attacks on innocent women and children in Gaza were clearly aimed at destroying future generations of Palestinians. “Even as we take part in a festival here in peaceful circumstances, it is so hard to believe that in another part of the world, innocent children are being subject to death and destruction.”
According to Hoskote, poets and writers must not consider themselves at the margins. “We must raise our voices against tyranny. We must raise our voices against forces that seek to curtail the freedom of speech. May GALF remain a platform for fearless discussion,” Hoskote said.
Padma Shri awardee, Mamang Dai, the other keynote speaker from Arunachal Pradesh also spoke about the need to respect diversity in society. “Differences must be acknowledged. We are a diverse nation. Paltforms like GALF help us tap into our invisible roots,” added Dai.
The evening also saw some very spirited poetry reading by the charismatic, Tamil Nadu based poet Meena Kandasamy. Her recitation of poems by Tiruvalluvar, the noted 6th century Tamil poet against political tyranny of those times drew immediate applause.
The GALF artwork this year was made by the 24-year-old Goan artist, Sagar Naik Mule, who was recently felicitated by the Indian Prime Minister for his kavi art which uses the local red soil and a unique, traditional style.
The evening came to a close with the release of Boy, Unloved, the latest translation of Damodar Mauzo’s Konkani novel, Jeev Divum Kai Chya Marum, by noted translator and author, Jerry Pinto.
Pinto said that he very much cherished the week he spent with Mauzo and his wife Shaila in their Goa home discussing the completed English translation of the book.
The festival is open and free to the public at the ICG on both February 16 and 17.
