Belman: “Konkani” a rich secular language

By Pundalika Marathe
Bellevision Media Network

Belman, 18 July 2011: Even though there are hundreds and thousands of languages and sub languages in India, Konkani has been recognized as one of the 18 National languages. Everyone belonging to the Konkani speaking community have to determine for the survival of Konkani language, its literature and the culture, said Kundapura Narana Kharwi - President of Karnataka Konkani Sahithya Academy.

 

He was speaking in his presidential address in the inaugural function of the “Konkani Devotional Songs – Lyrics” program of popular singer Shankar Shanubhog Bengaluru and Puttur Panduranga Nayak on Saturday, in Mundkur Venkataramana Sabha Bhavan, which was jointly organized by Karnataka Konkani Sahithya Academy, Shri Vitobha Bajana Mandali Mundkur and “Prerana” Yuvajana Sabha Mundkur. Now the government of Karnataka has given the maximum grants for the development of Konkani language and also has given the opportunity to have Konkani as a third language in schools, he said.

 

 
 
The program was inaugurated by popular Maths Researcher of Udupi K. Surendra Nayak. Upon inauguration he spoke and said that, the singing compliments the philosophical thinking and there is plenty of literature developed in Konkani. It is now the responsibility of the elders for the survival and preservation of this, he said. On this occasion the poet and scholar of three languages K. G. Malya Kinnigoli was felicitated by Shri Vitobha Temple Managing Trustee M. Venkatesha Kamath.

 
Karnataka Saithya Academy member and coordinator B. Pundalika Marathe Shirva welcomed the guests and the gathering with an introductory note. Other guests and dignitaries present on the dias were the members of Konkani Sahithya Academy members; Mangalpady Namadeva Shenoy Mangalore, Puttur Panduranga Nayak and Academy Registrar Dr. Devdas Pai.

 
Prabhakar Shenoy, Rajendra Prabhu, Panduranga Prabhu, Umesh Kamath, Prabhakar Prabhu and Sudhir Shenoy welcomed the guests with flower bouquets. Shrikantha Kamath compeered the program. Vitopa Bhajana Mandali President Raghuvir Shenoy proposed vote of thanks.