When Poetry comes to the Port town... When the traveler-poet Dr. Brian Mendonca, took the Goa Express down to Goa poetry too traveled to his homeland in Vasco together with him. This Delhi based Poet, currently working as the Editor, of Children's Books at the Oxford University Press, is a resident of the serene and picturesque hamlet geographically called the Mangor Hill in Vasco. Though based miles away from his homeland, Brian finds sufficient time to shuttle between Goa and Delhi at the slightest opportunity that's because his heart and soul is very much here in Goa. This love for his homeland also reflects in the many poems he has written on Goa, its people and the land.
At the 'Meet The Poet' a session of poetry hosted by the neighbourhood newspaper 'Vasco Watch' at Vasco on Sunday, Brian was at his poetic best, reading, talking and breathing poetry in all its splendor for over an hour-and-a-half to a mix audience of seniors and juniors together. Among the audience were many budding poets too listening to him in rapt attention. Like a magician possessed in his magic act, this young poet recently honoured by the Sahitya Akademi, Delhi, by having published 14 of his poems in their journal held the large audience under his poetic spell as enchanting poetry flowed from his equally enchanting and articulate voice. Reading all of his 14 poems published by the Sahitya Akademi which included Afternoon, Hari Dwar, Thanatos, Traveler, Sagar Konkani, Srinagar 1998 and I am not alone, he won and admiration of the mixed audience. Besides these 14 poems Brian also read his other poems specially on Goa and Goans which included "Last Bus to Vasco" a hilarious composition, 'Xitona-Navelim', 'Fr. Joseph Rowland Salema', 'May Queen'(Hollant) and 'Souza Lobo' (Calangute). These poems on Goa not only bring out the true essence of Goa and its people and their lifestyles, but also expose the immense love this young poet has for his homeland. Most of his poems have been written while in transit while moving in a bus or a train. His poems have been widely published from Srinagar in the North to Pondicherry in the South. After the reading session Brian briefly shared with audience his views on poetry and the themes of his poetry. He also gave some invaluable tips to those present on how to go about poetry writing. Taking pains to explain the nuances of poetry and its finer aspects, Dr. Brian said, "Poetry is a fragment of imagination put together in words. Poetry to me is nothing but a photograph in words. Many of my poems are on death, for death makes life all the more meaningful." What is most striking about this traveler poet is that he is so full of life and oozes warmth with every spoken word. Polite and courteous he can talk endlessly and yet he won't bore you. Besides, poetry he is also into classical guitar and is a senior announcer at the All India Radio, New Delhi. He undertakes special talk shows for AIR and interviews and debates too. Daniel F. de Souza. Vasco. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--W-E-B--S-I-T-E--=-=-=-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from Saligaonet | http://www.goacom.com/saligao_tinto/ ============================================================================ * Send e=mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] (NOT [EMAIL PROTECTED]) * Leave SUBJECT blank <--- Commom Mistake !! * On first line of the BODY of your message, type: subscribe saligaonet YOUR.EMAIL OR unsubscribe saligaonet YOUR.EMAIL Questions/Problems? Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED]