Daijiworld Media Network - Chikkamagaluru

Chikkamagaluru, Dec 16: Konkani Kalotsava 2025, organised by the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, was held on December 14 at Kuvempu Kalashala in Chikkamagaluru.

The afternoon session was presided over by Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy president Joachim Stany Alvares. In his inaugural address, he said the programme was organised to introduce Konkani language and culture to the public and to showcase unity among Konkani-speaking communities. He called upon everyone to stand together in support of art and literature until the end of the programme and welcomed the gathering. The event was formally inaugurated with the beating of the traditional ghumat.

Senior priest Fr Joy Reginald Pais, speaking on the occasion, said that having grown up in Konkani culture, he could never forget the Konkani language and education wherever he went. He said preserving the language would ensure the survival of Konkani culture.

Legislative Council member C T Ravi, who attended as a guest of honour, said that a language grows only when people use it with pride. He stressed the need to introduce children to relationships through language and said Konkani is a rich and ancient language with a history spanning thousands of years. He urged people to respect and preserve their mother tongues.

Among those present on the dais were senior priests Fr Shantharaj R, Fr Sanjay D’Souza, local leader Narendra Pai, Chikkamagaluru coffee planter Stany D’Silva, and Catholic Konkani Rakshan Sanchalan president Joachim D’Souza. The programme was compered by Alwyn Vinod Pinto.

Later, a grand cultural procession featuring various cultural troupes was held from Kuvempu Kalashala through I G Road, via Hanumanthappa Circle and M G Road, before returning to the venue. More than 1,000 artistes and Konkani language enthusiasts from Chikkamagaluru participated in the procession.

The evening valedictory session was again presided over by Joachim Stany Alvares, who said the Konkani Sahitya Academy has been organising programmes wherever Konkani-speaking communities reside to preserve and promote Konkani literature. He said the cultural procession reflected the self-respect and unity of Konkani-speaking people and hoped it would inspire greater interest in Konkani language and culture among Chikkamagaluru residents.

Karnataka Christian Community Development Corporation president Harsha Melwin Lasrado inaugurated the evening programme by playing a traditional band instrument. He said organising programmes that reflect Konkani culture would help preserve and strengthen the language. He also sang a Konkani song wishing for the growth of the language.

Guest H L Bhojegowda said the Academy had made efforts to introduce literature representing various communities through the Konkani Kalotsava and expressed hope that Konkani literature would continue to grow and guide future generations.

Chikkamagaluru-based writer Lawrence D’Souza was honoured as the ‘Person of the Month’. Joyce Ozario, wife of late Eric Ozario, was felicitated on behalf of Catholic Konkani Rakshan Sanchalan.

Prizes were distributed to winners of various competitions organised for the public. Moodigere team won first place, Konkani Kutam Sakleshpur secured second place, and Chikkamagaluru team finished third. In the best anchoring category, Praveen Vegas of Konkani Kutam Sakleshpur won first place, Zita Lobo of Moodigere team second, and Praveen Pinto of Chikkamagaluru team third.

Several dignitaries including Stany D’Silva, Joachim D’Souza, former president Cyril, academy member secretary Pramod Pinto, and academy registrar Rajesh G were present. The programme concluded with a musical evening. The event was compered by Jennifer Vaz. Academy members Ronald Crasta, Naveen Lobo, Dayanand Madkekar, and Sapna Mae Crasta were also present.