Syed Samiulla Barmawar, a poet and singer from Bhatkal, has been selected to receive the prestigious Kavita Trust’s Mathias Family Poetry Award for 2024. The award, which includes a cash prize of Rs 25,000, a citation, and a certificate of appreciation, will be presented on January 12 at Sastan, Udupi, during the 19th edition of Kavita Fest.
Born in 1956 in Bhatkal, a town in the Uttar Kannada district, Barmawar is known for his contributions to poetry and music. He completed his schooling at Jamia Islamia Bhatkal. From an early age, Barmawar showed great promise in both poetry and music, setting the stage for his remarkable literary journey.
Initially writing in Urdu, Barmawar later transitioned to Nawayti, becoming a prominent figure in the community’s literary scene. His poetry, celebrated for its emotional depth, explores themes of faith, love, social issues, and cultural pride, reflecting his strong connection to his roots.
His first poetry collection, Neett Watt (Path of Good Deeds), was published in 2012, alongside an audio CD. This collection became a milestone for Nawayti dialect in Konkani literature. Barmawar is also credited with popularizing Nawayti mushairas (poetic gatherings), shifting the community’s literary focus from Urdu to Nawayti and preserving the language’s traditions.
In addition to his published works, Barmawar has produced several audio cassettes and CDs, introducing Nawayti poetry to younger generations. As the founder of Nawayath Mehfil, he has played a key role in preserving and promoting Nawayti culture and language.
Barmawar’s literary achievements have earned him recognition from various organizations, including the All India Konkani Parishad (2002), Bhatkal Muslim Jamat, Bengaluru (2006), and the Uttara Kannada Zilla Sahitya Sammelan in Bhatkal (2007), among others.
Several events, such as Shame-Sami Kandlur, Shame-Sami Murdeshwar, Shame-Sami Mankay, and Samiulla Nights, have been organized in his honor, highlighting his significant impact on Nawayti culture and poetry.
Barmawar’s work has also taken him to international stages, with performances across the Middle East, including Dubai, Dammam, Riyadh, Sharjah, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Abu Dhabi. In India, he has performed in Goa, Vijayawada, Mangaluru, Chennai, Karwar, Sirsi, Udupi, Kasaragod, Calicut, and Bengaluru.
Through his poetry, Barmawar has not only contributed to the growth of Konkani literature but also helped preserve his community’s cultural identity.
Barmawar will be the 17th recipient of the Mathias Family Poetry Award, which was established in 2008 by Joseph Mathias, managing director of Merit Freight Systems, Dubai, in honor of his family.
The Kavita Trust, dedicated to promoting Konkani poetry, will host its annual poetry festival in Pandeshwar, Sastan, Udupi, on January 12, in collaboration with Expressions, Udupi.
