Mangaluru: Samiulla Barmawar to receive Mathias Family Poetry Award - 2024

Mangaluru, Dec 22: Syed Samiulla Barmawar from Bhatkal has been selected as the recipient of Kavita Trust’s Mathias Family Poetry Award for 2024. The award, which comprises Rs 25,000, a citation, and a certificate of appreciation, will be conferred on January 12 at Sastan, Udupi, during the 19th edition of Kavita Fest.

Born in 1956 in Bhatkal, a scenic town in the Uttar Kannada district, Syed Samiulla Barmawar is a celebrated poet and singer. He completed his schooling at Jamia Islamia Bhatkal. From a young age, Samiulla exhibited a remarkable talent for poetry and music, embarking on an extraordinary literary journey.

Initially composing in Urdu, Samiulla later transitioned to Nawayti, establishing himself as one of the community's foremost literary figures. His poetry, renowned for its depth and emotional resonance, spans themes of faith, love, social issues, and cultural pride, reflecting his versatility and deep connection to his heritage.

His first poetry collection, Neett Watt (Path of Good Deeds), released in 2012 alongside an audio CD, marked a significant milestone in the Nawayti dialect of Konkani literature. By pioneering Nawayti mushairas (poetic gatherings), he shifted the community’s literary focus from Urdu to Nawayti, revitalizing and preserving the language’s rich traditions.

In addition to his written works, Samiulla has produced numerous audio cassettes and CDs, bringing Nawayti poetry to younger audiences. As the founder of Nawayath Mehfil, he has dedicated himself to nurturing and preserving Nawayti culture and language for future generations.

His literary contributions have earned widespread recognition. He has been honored by various organizations, including the All India Konkani Parishad (2002), Bhatkal Muslim Jamat, Bengaluru (2006), Uttara Kannada Zilla Sahitya Sammelan in Bhatkal (2007), and Bhatkal Taluk Kannada Sahitya Sammelana (2010), among others.

Several mushairas and events, such as Shame-Sami Kandlur, Shame-Sami Murdeshwar, Shame-Sami Mankay, and Samiulla Nights, have been organized in his honor, underscoring his profound impact on Nawayti culture and poetry traditions.

Samiulla has presented his poems on international platforms across the Middle East, including Dubai, Dammam, Riyadh, Sharjah, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Abu Dhabi. Nationally, he has captivated audiences in Goa, Vijayawada, Mangaluru, Chennai, Karwar, Sirsi, Udupi, Kasaragod, Calicut, and Bengaluru.

Through his poetry, Samiulla has elevated Konkani literature, inspiring budding poets while preserving his community’s cultural identity.

Samiulla Barmawar becomes the 17th recipient of this prestigious award, instituted in 2008 by Joseph Mathias, managing director of Merit Freight Systems, Dubai, in his family’s name.

Kavita Trust, which works to promote Konkani poetry, will host its annual poetry festival in Pandeshwar, Sastan, Udupi, on January 12 in association with Expressions, Udupi.

(With input from daijiworld)