Pics: SJ Photography and Lionel Pinto, Suraksha Travel Agency, Kinnigoli
Media Release
Mangaluru, Jan 16: Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy organised a Konkani programme in association with the Ian Cares Foundation on January 15 to promote the art, culture and heritage of the Konkani language. Titled ‘Aaj Ami Konknni Ulavyam’, the event brought together Siddhi Konkanis from Mundgod/Yellapura in Uttara Kannada, Gowda Saraswat Brahmins, Christians whose mother tongue is Konkani, and Konkani Kudumbis. All of them showcased their traditional dances and songs.
Children studying from 3rd standard to 9th standard from local areas such as Pakshikere, Kinnigoli, Kirem, Balkunje, Kateel, Niddodi and Nirude were taken on a march through plantations, fields, water streams, jungles and forest areas to introduce them to nature, traditional trees and fauna, along with pictures of various animals and birds found in the region. The walk covered the Moorukaveri area in Kinnigoli, starting from Rodrigues Compound, the residence of Pascal Rego, to the Ian Cares Foundation, located in a picturesque setting.
More than 200 children and 60 volunteers participated in the workshop. After returning, the children were given answer sheets and asked to write down the names of trees, animals and birds they had observed. Three prizes were awarded in each category, with the evaluation carried out by an enumeration team headed by Christel D’Mello.
During the walkathon, Alani D’Souza, the wonder kid, sang beautiful patriotic songs from the stage to encourage the children.
The Rising Stars Band, affiliated with Kirem Parish, performed during the procession, during which participants chanted slogans such as ‘Konknni Amchi Maibhas, Konkani Amcho Uswas’ from Moorukaveri Junction to Rodrigues Compound. At Rodrigues Compound, Carmine Rodrigues inaugurated the workshop by opening a MUDO, a traditional rice storage technique from earlier times.
The region’s two popular ice cream brands, Hangyo and Ideal, distributed ice creams to more than 300 people, including children.
At the concluding ceremony, Daijiworld media founder and managing director Walter Nandalike inaugurated the newly built stage, ‘Rang Madira’, by cutting the ribbon in the presence of Joachim Stany Alvares, president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy; Fr Oswald Monteiro, vicar var of Kirem Varado and parish priest of Remedia parish; Fr Jochim Fernandes, parish priest of Kinnigoli parish; Rajesh Nayak, president of the Kinnigoli Rama Mandira Management Committee; Sekhar Gowda, general secretary of the Kudumbi community; and Hemacharya, managing trustee of the Ian Cares Foundation, among others. All the speakers highlighted how parents and children can encourage and nurture their mother tongue.
During the programme, Jossie Pinto (pen name Shantipriya), a senior and well-known poet and writer, was felicitated for his immense contribution to Konkani literature, along with Alani D’Souza, who sang Konkani patriotic songs throughout the day. Winners of various competitions were recognised. The four comperes — Heric Pais, Manoj Fernandes, Rony Crasta and Melrida Rodrigues — who hosted the concluding ceremony were also felicitated and presented with mementos.
Overall, it was a fantastic, refreshing and memorable day for the Konkani children of the region.