########################################################################## # If Goanet stops reaching you, contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # Want to check the archives? http://www.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
GOAN POET READS AT MUMBAI/PUNE After an invigorating poetry reading at Vasco on Sunday 12 September, traveller-poet Dr Brian Mendonca read his poems to a discerning audience at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA), Nariman Point, Mumbai last Tuesday on 26 Oct, 2004. 'Thank you. So many languages, so many voices' said noted Indian English poet Adil Jussawalla. It was a coming home for Brian who had done his schooling Class VII to Class X)in Don Bosco, Matunga, Mumbai. The reading which commenced at 5.30 pm went on till 8.15 pm spurred on by a keen interaction between the poet and the audience. Brian opened the evening with 'Harbour Line' his poem written in Bombay. He then went on to read the 13 poems published by the Sahitya Akademy in its May-June 2004 issue of 'Indian Literature' Vol. 221. These included 'Afternoon'(Vasco); 'Srinagar' (Srinagar); 'To the Ragini' (Khajuraho) and the favourite 'I Am Not Alone'(Delhi). Caressesd by cool winds from the sea in the exotic setting of the sunken court at the chauraha, time lazed on to provide the perfect ambience for many more poems which Brian read out with aplomb. These included 'Dharakhoh' (Dharakhoh, MP); 'Last Bus to Vasco' (Vasco); 'In Conclusion' (Chandigarh); 'Dharmayuddha' (Kurukshetra); 'Cherie' (Delhi) and 'Fr Joseph Rowland-Salema' (Siolim). The Goan poems struck a chord in Ronita Torcato who was also present. The evening was made possible by poet Jane Bhandari of 'Loquations' - a dedicated poetry group in Mumbai, started by Jussawalla to promote new writing, and which meets every Tuesday at the NCPA. Earlier on Thursday 21 October Brian read his poems at his alma mater viz. the Department of English, University of Pune, Pune where he had done his M.Phil between 1989-1992. Head of the Department of English noted -'It was a fascinating experience to listen to Brian's poetry. the most striking feature of his poetry is the vividness of his imagery, shortness of lines, apparent (sometimes deceptive)simplicity and closeness o real experiences of life. His meticulous choice of words is particularly noteworthy.' At the request of a friend Brian also read at 'Jan Milan', Pune on Friday, 22 October at Salunke Vihar. 'Spellbound' said painter Musarrat Masters drawing an analogy with the seascapes of the British painter Turner. The Pune engagements were made possible by Rajan Barrett, poet and friend and Gita Rao, painter and friend. Dr Brian Mendonca is currently Project Editor, Educational Division, Oxford Unviersity Press, New Delhi. Do contact him at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or (0)9818432507. He also has a website at http://www.geocities.com/brian_mendonca/great_outdors.html