The Alto Porvorim-based Xavier Centre of Historical Research is to feature the poetry of Laxmanrao Sardessai, in a discussion to come up there shortly, according to a Press statement from its director Dr Savio Abreu <direc...@xchr.in>
The XCHR says: "This year when we in Goa commemorate the golden jubilee of the historic Opinion Poll that took place on January 16, 1967 and where the people of Goa voted not to merge with Maharashtra but to remain as a separate political entity, we at XCHR highlight through this History Hour the figure of Laxmanrao Sardessai (1904-1986), well known writer of short stories in Marathi and freedom fighter. What is important to note is that Sardessai was strongly against the merger of Goa with Maharashtra and this comes out in his poetry writings in Portuguese." The presentation-cum-discussion will be lead by D. A. Smith and his talk will be titled: *Avante, Goeses, Avante! The Portuguese Poetry of Laxmanrao Sardessai* WHERE: At Xavier Centre of Historical Research WHEN : Thursday, 19th January, 2017 at 5:30 pm Bio-data: D. A. Smith was born in 1979 in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He holds BAs in Creative Writing (Sam Houston State University) and Chinese Studies (University of Houston), and has worked as copy editor for a variety of fiction and nonfiction books. His novel Axis Mundi Sum was published in 2003 by Invisible College Press. He recently translated Orlando da Costa's novel O Signo da Ira (The Sign of Wrath). He lives in Houston, Texas, with his wife, cats, and books, and can be reached at dasm...@freeshell.org. Synopsis: Laxmanrao Sardessai (1904-1986) was best known for his prodigious output as a writer of short stories in Marathi, as well as his involvement in the struggle for Goan independence from Portuguese rule. After the expulsion of the Portuguese in 1961, however, he began writing poetry in Portuguese. This work, published in Goa's Lusophone newspapers between 1964 and 1966, often had a strong political bent, as Sardessai was strongly against the merger of Goa with the neighbouring state of Maharashtra. But rather than restrict himself to politics, Sardessai also wrote poetry of a more personal nature, and throughout his work displayed a deep love for his homeland and its people. The study of his work, especially in the context of contemporary Lusophone Goan poetry, can provide insight into Goa's political and literary atmospheres in the years immediately following Liberation, as well as a glimpse of the Portuguese language during its waning days in India. Contacts for the XCHR: Dr. Savio Abreu SJ, Director, Xavier Centre of Historical Research B B Borkar Road, Alto Porvorim, Goa 403521, India. Tel: +91-832-2417772 (Office), 2414971 (Director) www.xchr.in www.facebook.com/xchr.goa