Mangaluru : Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy will organise Konkani literary convention and cultural fair at Scouts and Guides Bhavan in Mangaluru on December 20.

Addressing a press meet here on Tuesday, Academy President Roy Castelino said that the meet will be inaugurated by Nrupathunga award winner Kum Veerabhadrappa.

Senior Konkani writer Edwin Netto will be the president of literary meet. Karnataka University Associate Professor Dr Shobha Neelavara will be the chief guest. Edwin J F D’Souza’s ‘Unya Bhavadthache’ and Andrew L D’Cunha’s ‘Ayeracho Book’ will be released on the occasion. ‘Unya Bhavadthache’ is a novel with 1008 pages. In a session on ‘Konkani literature after 2000,’ Alwyn Danti, Pernal, will deliver a talk while Shakuntala Kini will speak on ‘Impact of globalisation on Konkani culture.’ Dr Shivaram Kamath will preside over the session. Prof Xavier D’Souza will talk on ‘Konkani education’ and Fr Francis Rodrigues on ‘Media and Konkani.’ The session will be presided over by Mohan Pai. Ten poets will recite poems at poets meet. Jerry Rasquina will preside over the meet.

Konkani cultural procession will be taken out between 4 pm and 5.30 pm. The procession will pass through Scouts and Guides Bhavan, Lady Hill Circle, MCC and to the venue.

Bishop Rev Fr Aloysius Paul D’Souza will preside over the cultural fair.

District-in-Charge Minister Ramanath Rai, Alva’s Education Trust Chairman Dr M Mohan Alva will be the chief guests. Film director Lawrence D’Souza will be the special invitee. The students of Rosario and Padua College Konkani Club will present cultural programmes.

The students of Nritya Vidyalaya, Kadri, will present ‘Konkani Nritya Sangeetha ballet—Samagra Konkani darshana.’ This will include teams of Kharvi, Siddi, Kudmi, Gaavli, Daldi, Navayathi and Brass bands.

Musical programme by Muralidhar Kamath will enthrall the participants. The Konkani speaking teachers who would like to participate in the meet will be provided with OOD facility by the DDPI. Konkani calender and Academy’s newly designed website will be unveiled on the occasion.