Poetry as Truth: A journey from Bhakti Geet to Social Awakening

Poetry as Truth: A journey from Bhakti Geet to Social Awakening

By John Aguiar

There is a unique kind of magic in hearing your own words take flight. Listening to poetry I have written—sung beautifully by Gautami Hede and composed by Shri Sidhnath Buyao in the soulful Yaman raag—reminds me daily of how literature and music have transformed my life. Shifting my focus to composing bhakti (devotional) songs has brought me immense happiness and deep satisfaction. Historically, there has been a scarcity of literature in Konkani bhakti geet, and I am proud to be a trendsetter in this space. Today, devotional videos for my songs like Dambaba tu pav re and Shantadurge maye have become extremely popular, bridging the gap between faith and modern expression.

The Early Footsteps: From Jinn to Paulam The journey of a poet is rarely easy, but it is always deeply personal. My roots in poetry stretch back to my school days, marked by the sheer thrill of seeing my very first poem, Tin rongi bavtoo, published in Uzvadd. That moment sparked a crucial belief in myself.

My formal literary debut came during my college years. In 1982, my very first booklet of Konkani poetry, titled Jinn, was published by Adv. Uday Bhembre, who was then the President of the Konkani Bhasha Mandal. This was a foundational stepping stone. Later, it was the release of my book Paulam that truly made me aware of my fully realized identity as a poet.

Why I Write: Voices of Nature and Justice When people ask me, "Why do you write poetry?" my answer is simple: because it is the most intense form of expression. I have always felt that poetry is truth.

I am moved by the world around me. Nature moves me, travelling moves me, and beauty moves me. However, I am equally moved by loss and injustice. I keep writing about the Goa that we have left far behind, lamenting the tragic destruction of our once-pristine landscapes and hills. Sometimes, my poetry takes on the voice of the voiceless: a ragpicker or a poor little boy shivering on the street. I write to remember my roots, penning verses dedicated to my parents and my mother tongue. I believe in speaking out while there is still time, using my poetry as a vessel for social causes and justice.

The Rich Tapestry of Poetry in Goa My personal journey is just one thread in the rich, diverse history of Goan poetry. Often characterized by its celebration of the land, its people, and its unique culture, poetry in Goa has evolved beautifully over the centuries:

A Plurilingual Heritage: Goa’s unique environment has fostered a vibrant tradition across Konkani, Marathi, English, and Portuguese.

A Surge Among the Youth: Recently, there has been a massive surge in poetry's popularity, particularly among younger generations who use it to connect with their heritage.

Digital Expression: Social media platforms and modern video formats (like my own bhakti videos) have provided a fresh, accessible space for poets to share their work, experiment with different styles, and build a sense of community.

Whether it is a devotional hymn echoing in a temple, a verse mourning a bulldozed hill, or a reflection on the struggles of the marginalized, poetry remains Goa’s enduring voice. It is the truth of our past, the mirror of our present, and the hope for our future.