Honnavar: People of North Kanara Converge to Celebrate Culture and Language

Daijiworld Media Network – Honnavar (MR)
Pics: Melvyn Rodrigues

Honnavar, Mar 9: The people of Uttara Kannada district assembled, here at Pratibhoday Kalamandir, on Sunday March 9, in order to celebrate their Konkani language and culture as part of the ‘Konkani Lokotsav.’

This ‘Lokotsav’ was jointly organized by the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy and Konkani Samanvay Committee, Honnavar.

‘Lokotsav’ was inaugurated by the local folklore scholar as well as artiste, Puroshottam Bikku Mesta, by placing beats on the Konkani instrument ‘gumott’ and singing some verses of a age old folk song.

'Konkani people must converse in Konkani whenever and wherever they meet.  This is the way Konkani’s’ can give respect to their mother tongue' Mesta said in his inaugural speech.

R S Raikar Upponi, former president Uttara Kannada zilla panchayat who was the chief guest of the programme, said 'it is the constitutional right of everyone to safeguard his or her own culture.  In this regard, these types of celebrations have attained much importance'. 

He congratulated all the people who have contributed for the success of this ‘Lokotsav’.

Eric Ozario, president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy who presided over the function said 'Uttara Kannada is the most important and biggest pocket of Konkani people.  Konkanis’ should not feel small because they do not have script of their own.  For that matter, English and Hindi too do not have their own scripts". 

“Any language can attain richness without script. If you feel proud of your language, you can take it to greater heights. It is unfortunate that we do not have a single school teaching Konkani in Uttar Kannada.  Konkani leaders of Uttara Kanara should take initiative to make this dream a reality', said Eric Ozario.

Speaking on the forthcoming election for the post of Academy president, he appealed the Karnataka government to consider candidates belonging to 30 Konkani communities other than Christians and Saraswats.

Umesh Mesta, president of Konkani Samanvay Committee, Suresh Tandela, convener, V M Bhandary, vice president and advocate, S H Shivarudrappa, Academy registrar, were present on the dais.

Manjayya Konkani group recited prayer song at the beginning and Umesh Mesta proposed vote of thanks.

Nine groups from various parts of Uttara Kannada showcased their unique folklore art, as part of ‘Lokotsav’.