Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (VA)
Mumbai, Jun 3: As many as 30 representatives of various Konkani organizations attended a meeting at Gyan Ashram, Andheri (E), recently to acquaint themselves with the details of the first World Konkani Cultural Convention, a 25- days’ international Konkani cultural festival, to be held in Mangalore from November 25 to December 19.
Eric Ozario, Gurkar, Mandd Sobhann, who was in Mumbai conducting a Konkani heritage camp for adults, convened the meeting.
He informed that the convention would invite over 60 Konkani troupes consisting of over a thousand artists from around the world, to present song and dance, theatre and folk performances. He said that the cultural convention, the first of its kind, would also involve a Konkani Film Festival, a Konkani Food Festival, a Konkani Youth Festival, a Konkani Art Festival, a Konkani Kavita Fest, a Konkani Bazaar and competitions in Konkani games, costumes and cuisine.
The second Global Konkani Music Award as well as the sixth Kalaakaar Puraskaar would also be awarded at the cultural convention. He also said that 25 institutions/individuals around the world who have enriched Konkani culture will be honoured.
He called upon all Konkani organizations and individuals around the world to involve, to participate and to contribute towards the success of the international event.
All the members gathered for the meeting unanimously lauded Mandd Sobhann for taking this bold step to unite Konkanas of all regions, dialects, castes and creeds, and they also declared that the event will showcase Konkani culture in all its variety, beauty and diversity.
John B D’Silva, vice president, Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Maharashtra and director, Kalaangann, Fr Ramesh Francis Naik Bandodkar, chief patron, Kalaangann, Ullas Kamath, president, Triveni Kala Sangam(representing Saraswaths and GSBs), Fausto V D’Costa, editor, Gulab and representing Goan Review Art Foundation and Lawrence D’Souza Kamani, secretary, Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Mahrashtra were present.