Kavita Trust

Origin and Organization

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.
Trustees are:
1. Melvyn Rodrigues
2. Kishoo Barkur (Kishore Gonsalves)
3. Averyl Rodrigues
4. Andrew L D'Cunha
5. William Pais
6. Victor Mathias (Vitori Karkal)

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.

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:
2016: Nutan Sakhardande
2015: M. P. Rodrigues
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:

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. This competition has been conducted since 2007.

The following table provides the overview of the Competitions held so far, entries received (Totaling 1906 until 2016) 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 / Sambhram (Konkani Poetry Festival)

Kavita Trust, conducts Kavita Fest / Sambhram, a celebration of Konkani poetry, every year. First such festival was held in 2007. From then on, every year, this festival is conducted, at different locations of Kanara region.
Kavita Sambhram 2017 at Gallerie Orchid, Mangalore.
Kavita Fest 2016 at World Konkani Centre, Mangalore.
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 25 poetry collections, critical essays and other books.