Pournima Kerkar
Pournima Rajendra Kerkar | |
|---|---|
 Kerkar in 2026 | |
| Born | Paliem, Goa, India |
| Occupations |
|
| Spouse | Rajendra Kerkar |
| Children | 1 |
Pournima Rajendra Kerkar is an Indian author, folklorist,[1] researcher[2] and teacher who writes about the eco-cultural heritage of Goa and neighbouring regions.[3] She is a member of State Level Steering Committee for implementation of National Education Policy 2020.[4] The Green Teacher Award of Sanctuary Nature Foundation was awarded for contribution in environment education, conservation and social work.[5] Additionally she is the president of the Vivekanand Sahitya Sanskruti Abhivruddhi Manch.[6]
Early life
[edit]Pournima Kerkar was born in Paliem, Goa.[7] Her father was a teacher and she developed interest in the folkculture since her childhood.[7] She holds Masters degree in Konkani and Marathi.[7]
Career
[edit]Kerkar practices teaching at Dnyanprakash Mandal Bicholim's Higher Secondary School, Mulgao[8] Her work includes documentation and promotion of local folklore.[9] She has studied Goan festivals and rituals such as Dhalo, Dhillo,[1] Shigmo, and Aitaar Pujan.[10][11] She discusses the scientific and ecological basis of festivals celebrated in specifically in Shravan month.[12]
Along with Vivekanand Environment Awareness Brigade, Kerkar advocates for the use of indigenous food sources[13] associated with medicinal plants and wild vegetables through digital platforms.[14][15] She organised cultural Fiesta in June, 2014[16] and co-ordinated Purva rang programme for golden jubilee celebration of Kala Academy in 2019.[17] Kerkar scripted and acted in the play "Majhiya Anganat Saye" that showcased the culture, tradition, folksongs, festivals and rural lifestyle of Goa.[18] Besides her documentation, she is a recognised children's rights activist and organises educational camps for children.[5]
Kerkar's marathi book Vismrutichya Umbarthyavar[19] is translated in Hindi as "Chutati Paramparaye" by Vijaya Dixit.[20] Heta Pandit has translated the same book in English as "Objects from Goan Homes".[21]
Personal life
[edit]Following her marriage to environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar, she moved to Sattari and resides in Keri village situated at the foothills of Western Ghats. They chose not to send their daughter Samrudhdi to any formal school and instead allowed her to learn on her own. Samrudhdi is a speaker at Tedxtalk.[22]
Awards and recognition
[edit]- B. B. Borkar Memorial Award (1999)[23]
- Green Teacher Award, Sanctuary Nature Foundation (2011)[24]
Selected bibliography
[edit]- Spandan (poetry)[citation needed]
- Govyatil Dhalotsavache Swarup[25]
- Anubandh Lokgangeche[26]
- Vismrutichya Umbarthyavar[19][27]
Translated into Hindias Chutati Paramparaye by Vijaya Dixit (2023)[20]
- Storyteller of Goa, Subhadra Arjun Gawas (Translated into English by Heta Pandit)[28]
- Kalij Usavala (2025)[29]
Translated into Marathi by Pournim kerkar
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Protect forests, tigers for water security: folklorist". Goa Travel News on Gomantak Times. 27 August 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
- ↑ "Earth cult & tale of the seven sisters". The Times of India. 25 July 2018. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
- ↑ "Rajendra and Pournima Kerkar". sanctuarynaturefoundation.org. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
- ↑ "COMMITTEE CONSTITUTED TO DEVELOP THE GOA STATE CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK FOR SECONDARY EDUCATION" (PDF).
- 1 2 "Rajendra and Pournima Kerkar". sanctuarynaturefoundation.org. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
- ↑ "Over 6,000 people attend European Union film fest". The Times of India. 8 May 2012. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 "लोकसंस्कृतीचा नंदादीप : पौर्णिमा केरकर". गोवन वार्ता. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
- ↑ "Rajendra and Pournima Kerkar". sanctuarynaturefoundation.org. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
- ↑ "Connect with culture & heritage: Gaude". The Goan EveryDay. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
- ↑ "For Good Health, Look No Further Than The Goan Garden". Whetstone Magazine. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
- ↑ "For the prosperity and well-being of the family – 23 August 2015". O Heraldo. 23 August 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
- ↑ "A congregation of Konkani-Marathi women writers – 29 August 2015". O Heraldo. 29 August 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
- ↑ "Wild vegetables on the platter". The Goan EveryDay. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
- ↑ "Aalucho Ros | Paneer Kadhai | Rajendra and Pournima Kerkar | Swaad Aswaad | S3E40 | Prudent | 040725". prudentmedia.in. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
- ↑ "Season's eatings". The Times of India. 3 July 2016. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
- ↑ "Joy of reading workshop at 'Bookworm'". The Times of India. 4 June 2014. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
- ↑ "Kala academy celebrates 50 years". The Navhind Times. 17 July 2019. pp. 3 Buzz.
- ↑ "२०२३ : लक्ष्यवेधी महिला". गोवन वार्ता. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
- 1 2 "Double Tracking, Coal Transportation and Heritage Houses". Business Goa. 28 November 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
- 1 2 Kerkar, Pournima (15 April 2023). Chutati Paramparaye [Chutati Paramparaye] (in Hindi). Ahamedabad: Punarutthan Prakashan Sewa Trust.
- ↑ "Writing to Preserve Heritage: In Conversation with Heta Pandit, Author, Activist & Researcher". Impact. 27 July 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
- ↑ "TEDxPanaji". ted.com. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
- ↑ "Home | The Goa Hindu Association". goahinduasso.org. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
- ↑ "Rajendra and Pournima Kerkar". sanctuarynaturefoundation.org. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
- ↑ "Six Marathi books released". The Times of India. 26 April 2012. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
- ↑ Kerkar, Pournima (27 August 2012). Anubandh Lokgangeche (in Marathi). Keri, Sattari Goa: Vivekanand Sahitya Sanskruti Abhivrudhdi Manch.
- ↑ Das, Arti (11 March 2021). "A Goan tribe's relationship with the land that it tills". mint. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
- ↑ Kerkar, Pournima. "Subhadra Arjun Gawas - The Biography of a storyteller from Goa, India". review.memoriamedia.net. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
- ↑ Mhambaro, Uday (19 December 2025). Kalij Usavala (in Marathi). Bori - Ponda: Navdurga Prakashan, Bori - Ponda. ISBN 978-93-91936-31-0.
