Meet to feature the best of Konkani culture

The Hindu

• World Konkani Convention from November 25 to December 19

 

Mangalore, 17 June 2010: Mandd Sobhann, an organisation that promotes Konkani culture, is holding the first World Konkani Convention here from November 25 to December 19.

The convention, which will highlight the best of Konkani culture through theatrical, musical and dance performances, will feature over 1,000 artistes, according to the organisers.

Members of Mandd Sobhann told presspersons here that the 24-day event would also feature a Konkani film festival, food festival, youth festival and an art festival.

The second Global Konkani Awards will also be presented on the occasion.

The “muhurtam” of the event will be held at 6 p.m. on June 20 at St. Joseph’s Indian High School auditorium in Bangalore. Tourism Minister G. Janardhan Reddy will be the chief guest. Goenchi Neketram, a troupe from Goa will perform “the songs and dances of Goa”.

Eric Ozario, gurkaar (chief) of Mandd Sobhann, said the organisation was in the process of informing and enlisting support from Konkani communities across the world.

Apart from conducting press conferences across India, the organisation plans to visit West Asia, the U.S. and Israel among other countries to draw support and make the convention a “truly global” event.

He said the organisation also plans to felicitate 25 institutions from across the world that have helped foster and enrich Konkani culture.

Ronald Colaco, chairman of the reception committee, said, “We are in the process of reaching out to organisations in New Zealand, Australia, West Asia, Israel, Europe, the U.S., and Canada.”

Most of the events will be held at Kalaangann, a Konkani heritage centre built by the organisation. Some programmes will also be held in Mumbai and Goa so that Konkani community members there can also participate.

For more details, visit www.kalaangann.com.