Konkani World Cultural Convention Launched , Janardhana Reddy Promises Support

by Gabriel Vaz
Pics: Dayananda Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

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BANGALORE, JUN 20: The First World-level Konkani Cultural Convention being organized in Mangalore as a 25-day extravaganza from November 25 to December 19 to mark the Silver Jubilee of Konkani’s premier cultural organization, Mandd Sobhann, got off to a colourful start in Bangalore with an unlikely and welcome supporter in the form of Karnataka’s all powerful Tourism and Infrastructure Minister Gali Janardhana Reddy.

The inaugural programme in Bangalore is jointly organized with the Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations (FKCA), with its 18 affiliatted associations taking active part in mobilising audience participation. FKCA chairman Charles Gomes was specially honoured at the function.

Warmly applauding the greatness of Konkani, spoken by people cutting across barriers of state, region, religion, caste and creed in India and even abroad, Reddy, who is generally known as the Bellary mining lord in political circles, promised to extend help and support to the Konkani cultural convention in Mangalore and the cause of Konkani in his personal capacity as also from the Tourism Department and the Government.

"I will personally discuss the issue with Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and other Cabinet Ministers and ensure that all support is extended by the Government,” he said.

Reddy’s promise came in response to the fervent appeal made by the Convention’s Reception Committee Chairman Ronald Colaso to extend help not only in his personal capacity as also from the government as the entire cost was estimated to be around Rs 3 crore.

Of course, Reddy tried to pull Colaso’s leg by pointing out that a philanthropist of his stature and large-heartedness could himself single-handedly foot the entire cost on his own.

"But I know Konkani is such a wonderful language and needs all support. I will offer support in my personal capacity as also from Tourism Department and the Government,” Reddy said to the thunderous applause from the large number of Bangalore’s Konkani speaking people assembled at the St Joseph’s Indian High School auditorium.

"Though I cannot speak Konkani, I could understand and appreciate the beauty,’’ he said referring to the brief introductory programme given by the leading Goan troupe, Goenchim Noketram, led by the lecturer-turned musician and culture ambassador Marianela Pilgina Mascarenhas e Dias (Gina).

Ronald Colaso, in his presidential address, eulogized Mandd Sobhann and its contribution for the development, promotion and protection of Konkani culture, language and its theatre, singing, music and theatre.

"Mandd Sobhann has made all Konkani speaking people proud by putting the language on the world map by their remarkable and record-breaking feat of organising the Konkani Niranthari programme to enter the Guiness Book of Records with its 40-hour-long non-stop mutli-singer music programme,” he said.

Mandd Sobhann Gurkar Eric Ozario, the former chairman of Karnataka State Konkani Sahitya Academy, said the organisation’s First-ever World-level Konkani Cultural Convention being held at Kalangan from November 25 to December 19 will comprise of programmes from over 60 groups/troupes from all over the world involving over 1,000 artistes with singing, music, folk, theatre and dance ensemble.

In addition, a Konkani film festival, a food festival, youth festival, art festival, kavita fest, games, competitions and bazaar will organized along with the second global Konkani music award presentation. The sixth Carvalho Gharaanne-Thomas Stephen’s Konkani Kendr Kalakaar Puraskaar will also be presented. Seminars on various aspects of Konkani culture and felicitation/honouring of 25 institutions/individuals from all around the world for their contribution to enriching the Konkani culture will form part of the 25-day celebrations, Ozario said.

The ``muhurat’’ or inaugural programme began with the traditional offering of `paan-pod’ (betel leaves and arecanuts), rice, `kunkum’ or sindhoor with turmeric, `kale’ or jasmine flowers with a bowl of water (chembu) on a plate to the minister by traditionally dressed ladies. Colaso released a brochure brought to mark the first-ever world-level Konkani cultural convention and presented it to all dignitaries.

Titus Norohna of Rahul Advertisers and Arun Raj Rodrigues compered the entire programme.

The Goan troupe, Goenchim Noketram, enthralled the audience by their melodious singing and dance programmes. Jeorge Gonsalves, Elvis Isidorio Mascarenhas as well as Frenzie Rodrigues, Lina Maria Gomes, Bernardo Furtado, Inacinho Saridinha, Thatcher Pinto and Sheldon Crasto  with their singing and dancing led the audience to ask for more. Mando, Dulpod, Goan Deknni, Fugdi as well as Baila and Meddley entertained the audience.

Daijiworld.com will be the official webpartner for First World-level Konkani Cultural Convention. 

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• Mangalore : World Level Konkani Cultural Festival on the Anvil