Kavita Trust

The Kavita Trust is an Indian non-profit organisation, dedicated to Konkani Poetry. Though the initial activities of the Trust began in Dubai in the year 2002, it got registered as a Trust in Mangalore, India in 2007. Sahitya Akademi awardee and Konkani language activist Melvyn Rodrigues is the Founder President of Kavita Trust.

Origin and Organization

The Trust was founded in the year 2007.The trust is located in Mangalore, India.
Trustees are:
1. Melvyn Rodrigues
2. Kishore Gonsalves (Kishoo Barkur)
3. Andrew L D'Cunha
4. William Pais
5. Averyl Rodrigues

Vision

To function as a "School for the Promotion and Propagation of Konkani poetry".

Mission

To create a worthy atmosphere to write, study and interpret Konkani poetry. To strive towards ameliorating quality and dignity of Konkani poetry, thus to provide international status and respect for Konkani literature/litterateurs.

Awards

Joseph Mathias and Family Poetry Award

Since 2008 every year, the trust confers "Joseph Mathias and Family Poetry Award" to the poets for their commendable contribution to [Konkani Poetry]. The award is sponsored by Joseph Mathias of Merit Freights Systems, Dubai. List of Awardees:
2014: Iqbal Sayeedi, Bhatkal
2013: Yusuf A. Shaikh, Goa
2012: Rajay Pawar, Goa
2011: Shivananda Shenoy, Kochi
2010: Kashinath Shambha Lolienkar, Goa
2009: Leo D'Souza (Kavyadas), Mangalore
2008: Aruna Rao Kundaje, Mumbai

Endowment Lectures

James and Shobha Mendonca Endowment Lecture on Poetry is an annual feature and one of the important programmes of Kavita Trust.
So far, the following dignitaries have given the endowment lectures:

• 2015: Arundhathi Subramaniam
• 2014: Jerry Pinto
• 2013: Ashok Vajpeyi
• 2012: Gulzar

Competitions

All India Konkani Poetry Writing Competition for Students

Every year Trust conducts Poetry Writing Competition for Students to foster their poetry skills. This competition is open for students from 6th grade to 10th grade. This competition is in the memory of Late Charles and Theresa Rodrigues, the parents of poet and Sahitya akademi awardee Melvyn Rodrigues.

Every year, in the month of July, Kavita Trust, sends the intimation to the schools AbOUT the details of the competition. The entries should reach the trust by Nov. 15th. Prize distribution is done during "Kavita Fest" in January. This competition has been conducted since 2007.

The following table provides the overview of the Competitions held so far, entries received (Totaling 1370 until 2014) and winners.

All India Konkani Poetry Reciting Competition for Youth

Every year the trust conducts Poetry Reciting Competition for Youth between ages 15 years to 30 years. The goal is to popularize konkani poetry among young. This competition is sponsored by Rohan and Lavita Monterio.

All India Konkani Poetry Reciting Competition for Children

Every year the trust conducts Poetry Reciting Competition for children from age below 15 years. The award was established by Nelson & Lavina Rodricks in the year 2014, in the memory of Konkani poet Cha. Fra. D'Costa.

Kavita Fest (Konkani Poetry Festival)

Every year, on the second Sunday of January, Kavita Trust, conducts Kavita Fest. First such festival was conducted in 2007. From then on, every year, this festival conducted, at different locations of Kanara region.
Kavita Fest 2015 at Barkur, Udupi.
Kavita Fest 2014 at Town Hall, Mangalore.
Kavita Fest 2013 at Bantwal.
Kavita Fest 2012 at Moodubelle.
Kavita Fest 2011 at Nakre, Karkala.
Kavita Fest 2010 at Barkur, Udupi.
Kavita Fest 2009 at Shanti Kiran, Bajjodi, Mangalore.
Kavita Fest 2008 at St Aloysius college, Mangalore.
Kavita Fest 2007 at Kalangann, Mangalore.
Many Poets and poetry enthusiasts from Goa, Mumbai, Kerala, Karnataka and other places participate in this event.

Publications

Kavita Trust has so far published about 24 poetry collections, critical essays and other books.