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Rich tributes to Adeodato Barreto NT Staff Reporter Panaji Feb 27: An interactive session held at the Kala Academy, on February 26, paid rich tributes to the Goan polemicist, poet, activist and artist, Adeodato Barreto (1905-1937), on the occasion of his birth centenary.The event jointly organised by Fundacao Oriente, Clube Harmonia de Margao, Kala Academy, Indo-Portuguese Friendship Society, Jaycees and Lions Club witnessed experts in various fields discussing the life and times as well as achievements of the celebrated personality. Ms Isabel Santa Rita Vaz while delivering a talk on 'Who was Adeodato Barreto' said that besides being a literary personality and a journalist, late Barreto advocated the rights of the workers in mines in Aljustrel, where he ran night school for the miners at the expense of his own health and eventually his life. "He was a man of multiple identities, the identities flowing into one another," Ms Vaz said, adding "when Adeodato left Goa for Portugal at the age of 17, he took Goa with him." A scholar by nature, Adeodato studied law, history and philosophy, she informed. He was a sensitive poet and a writer of clear-headed and rational prose, and furthermore, as a journalist pursued the cause of Indian Muslims in Mozambique, she observed. The noted writer, Victor Rangel Ribeiro, presiding over a round-table interaction on the theme 'Experiencing a plural culture' said that Goa has become a plural society with its people not knowing whom were they dealing with. He also pointed out that Adeodato confronted the situation head-on and wrote the way people would understand. The well-known writer, Margaret Mascarenhas said that she, as a literary person was no more exploring the issues of identity but now delving into political connotations; social democracy and justice. The senior educationist, Prof Suresh Amonkar said that Adeodato knew who he was, right from the beginning. "He knew his roots, his identity," he added. He also said that though a Portuguese citizen, Adeodato was deep down culturally and politically Indian. The names of his children, Kalidasa, Sarojini and Laxmi form an ample proof of this fact, Prof Amonkar added. Mr Mukesh Thaly, a translator, said that the domain of pluracy has expanded and increased. He also said that Konkani translations of Adeodato's writings would provide us with an insight into them. Another interactive session on the topic 'Workers' rights and social issues' was also held on the occasion and was participated by Mr Christopher Fonseca, Mr Thalmann Pereira and Mr Naresh Shirgaonkar. The noted writer, Dr Maria Aurora Couto, in her welcome address said that Adeodato's writings bring out sociological and political implications that affect our life. Adeodato's legacy of practical and agnostic humanism still lives, she observed. The delegate of Fundacao Oriente in India, Dr Sergio Mascarenhas e Almeida read out an extract from the Adeodato's writing. Some poems by Adeodato were also read out on the occasion. Ms Sonia Sirsat presented a Fado, while parts of a movie on the mines of Aljustrel were screened for the audience. The son of late Barreto, Mr Kalidas Barreto was also present on the occasion. -- TUMCHER AXIRVAD ASSUM; DEV BOREM KORUM. Gabe Menezes. London, England
