2nd Konkani (Roman Script) Literary and Cultural Convention held at Kudchodem
News and Pics by Ancy Paladka
Bellevision Media Network
"Only Konkani language in all script and not in a particular script, can save Goan culture and Goan identity." - Tomazinho Cardozo.
Goa, 22 February 2010: 2nd Konkani (Roman Script) Literary and Cultural Convention held at Kudchodem was held at Frank Fernands Nagar, Ravindra Bhavan, Kudchodem, Goa on 20th and 21st February. The programme was organised by the Dalgado Konkani Akademy of Goa.
A colourful venue was setup for the programme and the venue was named after welknown Konkani film personality Late Frank Fernand and the main stage was named after Late Albert S Carvalho.
The programme started with the procession lead by the traditional music. Welcome committee president Fr. Manuel Gomes, Working President of the organizing committee Mr. Tomazinho Cardozo, main speaker Fr. Bonaventure D’Pietro, MLA of Kudchodem Mr. Shyam Satardekar, MLA of Kepem Mr. Chandrakant Babu Kavlekar, Dalgado Konkani Akademy President Premanand A Lotlikar and the programme secretary Mr Walter Menezes were present at the dais.
Former Goa Assembly speaker and the first president of newly formed Tiatr Akademy of Goa Mr Tomazinho Cardozo explained the confusion of language and scripts in Goa. "All Konkani people of Goa with whole mind and soul worked for the cause of Konkani. They fought united during the opinion poll and also to make Konkani a state language. But unfortunately someone with a evil agenda inserted a phrase "Konkani in Devnagiri" in a official language act of Goa. This phrase divided Goans and thus started a controversy" he said. He explained the importance of preserving Konkani written in all sects and all scripts, there by making it to flourish it in all angles and directions. "Only Konkani language in all script and not in a particular script, can save Goan culture and Goan identity. " he affirmed. He also stressed the need of uniting the broken society by uniting all scripts of Konkani and giving equal importance to all."
Dalgado Konkani Akademy President Premnand A Lotlikar said that "We extend our full support to Devnagiri script as we also give equal importance to Roman script, Kannada script and other scripts of Konkani. Thus our work strategy is very clear. But the intention of the people who insist on ’One Language, One script and One society’ to destroy the Konkani of the people of other scripts, dialects and sects. This is nothing but a fascist idea. These people need to accept this fact for the healthy growth of the Konkani language even if it is bitter to them to digest." he advised
"The light of Konkani language needs to be lead by the youngsters" said Fr. Manuel Gomes in his welcome speech. "The taste of milk and honey of Konkani language was first tasted in seventeen century because of the hard work of European missionaries. They had brought out several Konkani books in Roman script. But later on the Konkani had a deep sleep. There were several reasons for this sleep and the key one was the mad order given by Mr. Conde De Alvor prohibiting people to speak, read and write Konkani. Konkani in Roman script has the history of more than five hundred (500) years and this is the major yardstick for Konkani language to get the state language status." he informed.
Fr. Bonaventure D’Pietro said that "There is a vast history of the contribution of Roman script in the development of Konkani language. When I was in Mumbai in 1963 there were atleast 6 Konkani weeklies in Roman script. Konkani people used to work selflessly even sacrifying their basic needs of food and shelter. But when the grant came from the Govt the Devnagiri lobby was shrewd enough to corner it only to their people. They did not want the real workers to get the funds. They pre-decided the awardees and then published their books and managed to gather all the funds only for themselves. But Fr Freddy D’Costa and others stood like a pillar to fight against this injustice. Unfortunately he met with an accident. This was a major setback. But once again Tomazinho and others have come together to fight this injustice." he said.
The following dignitaries were honoured for their contribution for the development of Konkani.
01. Mathews Antonio Pereira - Theatre Personality
02. Mr Anthony Menezes - Konkani Writer
03. Mrs Assumption Martinha Rodrigues e Pereira - Radio Artist, Singer, Dancer
04. Abdanio Rodrigues - Musician, Composer, Singer
05. Fr. Nixon DSilva - Musician
06. Dr Jayanti Nayak - Folklore Schollar
07. Fr. Planton Faria - Journalist, Founder Editor of Gonychim Kirna Konkani Fortnightly
08. Luciano Dias - Singer and Tiatr Artist
09. Merlin Rosaria Fernandes - Young Poetess
10. Milton Rodrigues - Young Poet, Story Writer
11. Venisha Fernandes - Young Poetess
12. Vincy Quadros - Journalist, Konkani Activist
MLA of Kudchodem Mr Shyam Satardekar said that "The outsiders come to Goa, teach us their language. But we Goans blend to them and forget our language." He also supported the noble cause of Dalgado Konkani Akademy in giving due respect to the Konkani in Roman script.
MLA of Kepem Mr Chandrakant Babu Kavlekar praised the organisers for galvanising a large crowd for the cause of Roman script Konkani. Preserving Goan identity is the need of the hour he said. The secretary of the organising committee Mr. Walter Menezes gave vote of thanks.
Two sessions were held on 21st. The theme of the morning session was "Youngsters and their future" which was moderated by Fr. Kyriel D’Souza. Mr. Vincy Quadros, Mr. Titus Noronha and Mr. Pandarinat D Lotlikar presented their papers.
The theme of the evening session was "Development of Konkani literature through the Roman script. The session was moderated by Dr. Rafael Fernandes. Fr. Louis Alvares, Mr. Anil Kumar and Fr. Pratap Naik presented their papers.
Three resolutions were passed during the convention. 1. Demanding the Govt to give equal status to Roman script Konkani in the language act. 2. The stopped Kala Akademy awards for Roman script Konkani to be revoked. 3. To urge Govt to build a full fledged auditorium in Panaji for the Tiatr and other Konkani activities.
Kudchodem-Kakoda Muncipal Corporation President Mr Paresh Bhende was the chief guest of the concluding ceremony. In his speach he said that while coming to the venue he was instructed by someone not to praise the cause of Roman script of Konkani. But he said that he extends his wholehearted support for this cause taken by Dalgado Konkani Akademy. He himself believe that one particular script or dialect can not preserve the identity of Goan culture. Sahity Akademy Award winner Mr. Jess Fernandes, organising committee working president Tomazinho Cardozo, Dalgado Konkani Akademy President Mr Premanand A Lotlikar also spoke during this occasion. Organising committe tresurer Mr. Thomas C Fernandes welcomed the gathering, Dalgado Konkani Akademy secretary Mr Jose Salvadore Fernandes gave Vote of thanks.
"Zayat Zage" Tiatr by Prince Jacob and other cultural items were also presented during this occasion.