Konkani Children’s Literary Festival ‘PARAG’ to Foster Love for Literature Among Young Minds

Konkani Children’s Literary Festival ‘PARAG’ to Foster Love for Literature Among Young Minds

Mangaluru: Mandd Sobhann, a leading Konkani cultural organization, is set to host the Konkani Children’s Literary Festival, dubbed ‘PARAG’ (Literary Touch in Young Minds), on Sunday, December 7, 2025. The event, organized by Mandd Sobhann’s literary division, Mittakonn Academy, aims to cultivate a passion for literature among high school students. The festival will take place at the Kalangann grounds in Shaktinagar, Mangaluru, from 8:45 AM to 4:00 PM.

The festival will commence with an inaugural procession, officiated by Mr. Joachim Stany Alvares, President of the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy. Rev. Fr. Prashant Madtha, a distinguished educationist and recipient of the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, will preside over the event. Ms. Sanjana Riva Mathais, a 9th-grade student, has been invited to deliver the keynote address.

A central highlight of the festival will be a symposium addressing ‘The Future of Children’s Literature.’ Esteemed literary figures Mr. Alwyn Danthy, Pernal (President), Mrs. Felcy Lobo, Derebail (Grandmother’s Tales and Modern Children: The Bridging), and Mr. Venkatesh Nayak (Dimensions of Children’s Literature in the Future) will present their scholarly papers during the symposium. Additionally, a lecture on ‘Poetry: Creation and Presentation’ will be delivered by the renowned poet, Mr. Andrew L. Dcunha.

In a unique approach to encourage youth involvement, the children’s poetry session, program compering, and management of cultural events will be entirely managed by the students themselves. A quiz competition has also been organized to engage the students further. Attendees can expect a vibrant procession, accompanied by provisions for refreshments and meals. Participation certificates will be awarded to all participating students during the valedictory ceremony.

The festival will also serve as a platform for the release of significant literary works. The children’s story collection ‘Mhonva-Polli’ (Honeycomb), a compilation of translated stories from various languages by students and elders during a translation workshop conducted by Mittakonn, will be launched in both print and e-book formats. Furthermore, ‘Konkani Christian Folk Culture,’ authored by Prithuma Monteiro under the Eric Ozario Amruthotsava Research Grant, will also be released in both formats. In addition, ‘Vhoddlimanychyo Kanniyo’ (Grandmother’s Tales – by Sylvester D’Souza, Mysore), digitized by Keron Madtha, will be available as an e-book.

Students interested in participating are required to register either in person or through their respective schools by November 29. Further details and registration information can be obtained by contacting 8105 22 6626.

The organizers, including Viona Janice Pinto (Student), Louis J. Pinto (President, Mandd Sobhann), Rony Crasta (Coordinator, Mittakonn), Naveen Lobo (Vice President, Mandd Sobhann), and Arun Raj Rodrigues (Member, Mittakonn), are encouraging widespread participation from Konkani high school students through media outreach.

A press meet was held on November 20, 2025, at 11:15 AM at the Press Club, Mangalore, to disseminate information about the event. Press notes, logos, and invitations have been distributed via email and WhatsApp.