Taccode: Konkani Book Translated to Malayalam Language
By Jaison Taccode
Bellevision Media Network
Taccode, 26 February 2012 : In a rare occasion in the history of Konkani language and literature the inauguration of the Malayalam book ’Visudha Poulose - Vijathiyarude Appostholan’ translated from Konkani mega Play book called ‘Jenthilancho Apostle San Paul’, (St. Paul: An Apostle to the Gentiles) took place at Holy Cross Church, Taccode, on Sunday 26 February 2012 in front of a huge gathering.
The Konkani Biblical mega Play book ‘Jenthilancho Apostle San Paul’, (St. Paul: An Apostle to the Gentiles) was authored by Rev. Dr. Mark Castelino and it was inaugurated on 08.03.2009 at St. Agnes Special School ground, Bendur, Mangalore, on the occasion of staging the said mega Play in Konkani language on ten elevated drama stages with the co-operation of 100 artists to a crowd of more than 6,500 spectators.
Keeping in mind the 2000th birth anniversary of St. Paul, Pope Benedict XVI had declared the year 2008-09 as the jubilee ‘YEAR OF ST.PAUL’ and invited the universal Church to celebrate the Jubilee year of St. Paul. Though many programmes were organised in various cities like Athens, Malta, Rome, Vatican and Italy, the Church in India has done hardly anything remarkable event for the people to mark the 2000 years of birth jubilee of St. Paul in the ‘Year of St. Paul’. The staging of Konkani Biblical mega Play ‘Jenthilancho Apostle San Paul’, (St. Paul: An Apostle to the Gentiles) by Rev. Dr. Mark Castelino is the only mega programme held in honour of St. Paul in India.
The translator Mr. Rony Gonsalves is working as Senior Superintendent, a Gazetted Officer, in irrigation department, Tellichery, Kerala, presented the translated Malayalam books to Rev. Dr. Mark Castelino, the author and the Parish Priest of Holy Cross Church, Taccode, for inauguration. Mr. Alfred Bennis, the Convenor of staging Jenthilancho Apostle San Paul the Biblical Konkani mega Play, was present on the dais at this occasion. Mr. Jossy Rodrigues, the then Vice President of Kelarai Church, who played a dominant role in staging this mega Play in 2009 was also present on the dais at this occasion.
IN THE NAME OF ST. PAUL, KONKANI LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE GOT FIRST BIBLICAL MEGA PLAY IN PRINT: Usually when the drama/Play is held on the stage no drama books are made available to the general public. But this is the first time (on 08 March 2009) in the history of Konkani language and literature that a printed drama book was made available to the general public just a few minutes before the commencement of the drama on ten elevated drama stages. This printed book was inaugurated by the Bishop of Mangalore on 08.03.2009 at St. Agnes Special School ground, Bendur, Mangalore. Though many books on various topics in Konkani language have been published till 08 March 2009, no Biblical mega Play/drama books have been published when the actual Play takes place on the stage. As the dramas/Play of various religions have been given opportunity to study at High School or at the College level let Konkani language also get such opportunity to study Konkani religious drama/Play books at High School, College or university level. IN THE NAME OF ST. PAUL POOR CHILDREN GOT ENGLISH MEDIUM HIGH SCHOOL: The first English medium school to run without receiving donation in the history of Mangalore diocese began at Kelarai in December 2002 under the guidance of Founder Correspondent and Educationist Rev. Dr. Mark Castelino. Under his guidance a team of 40 volunteers were mobilized to tap various resources from general public and donors were sought for the beginning of the English medium school at Kelarai for the sake of poor children. In this laborious task of tapping the various resources, one of them was staging Konkani mega dramas in Lent for successive three years. Along with the local leaders Mr. Alfred Bennis and Mr. Jossy Rodrigues played a dominant role for successfully staging Konkani religious mega dramas in Bendur, Mangalore. By staging the Konkani Biblical mega Play ‘Jenthilancho Apostle San Paul’ on 08.03.2009 the Kelarai parish was able to collect six and a half lakh rupees of income (excluding the expenses) to its English medium High School for the poor. As a result the poor children get the benefit of studying in English medium High School without paying donation.
IN THE NAME OF ST. PAUL KERALA PEOPLE GOT A MALAYALAM BIBLICAL MEGA PLAY BOOK: Kerala is known for its 100% literacy in India. But this type of Biblical mega Play book on the life of St. Paul is not available in Malayalam language. First of all the Catholic Church must congratulate the author Rev. Dr. Mark Castelino for writing and staging this Konkani Biblical mega Play on 08.03.2009 for the Year of St. Paul. Secondly the Malayalees must also congratulate the translator Mr. Rony Gonsalves for translating this mega Play book to Malayalam language so that the people from Kerala can also read and understand the depth of the Biblical mega Play, written by the author, which illustrates the missionary work of building the early Christian Church. St. Paul is known as the second founder of Christianity. Thirdly the Church in Kerala must also congratulate Sophia Printers and Publishers, Kerala, for publishing this rare pearl of Bible as Biblical mega Play in Malayalam language.
The inauguration programme was conducted by Mr. Gregory Mendes, former Vice President of Holy Cross Church, Taccode. Mr. Jaison Taccode was present on behalf of Namma Bedra.com. The copies of the Visudha Poulose - Vijathiyarude Appostholan are available throughout Kerala. The Konkani book and DVD are available with the author. The contact telephone number is 08258-264222 at Taccode, D.K. Karnataka, India. For photos and brief news please visit Face book and search for Mark Castelino. E-mail address: drmarkus@rediffmail.com.