Mangalore: Mandd Sobhann Completes 25 Glorious Years

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Nov 29: Most people have dreams. However, the process of setting goals and having a clear cut plan to achieve them separates those who achieve their dreams and those who merely continue dreaming. Mandd Sobhann, the Premier Konkani Cultural Organization qualifies to be under the category of dreamers who have given a proper direction to their dreams to fructify.

Twenty-five years ago Mandd Sobhann was set up to give vent to the dreams of having an institution to work for the search of Konkani identity in Konkani music. “Mandd Sobhann” experiment was unfolded in the lawns of Hotel Woodlands on November 30, 1986 in a small way. Over the years, in the process of working to establish Konkani identity Mandd Sobhann has succeeded in awakening the Konkani consciousness among Konkani speaking people through its relentless efforts and experiments in preserving, promoting, propagating and enriching Konkani Language and culture.

On November 30, 2011, when it completes 25 years of eventful service in the realm of Konkani, the organization can certainly look back with pride and contentment of having rendered supreme service for the cause of Konkani and thus emerge as a premier Konkani cultural organization – the world over. Its myriad efforts to dovetail Konkanis of various dialects and regions have enriched Konkani culture and given them a sense of self respect overcoming regional, religious and caste barriers.

A Cultural Icon

Incidentally “Mandd Sobhann” began as an experiment for Konkani identity and Konkani music. The experiment soon spread its wings to embrace a wide range of aspects to revitalize and revive Konkani culture. It gathered momentum and grew into a gigantic organization through its work and contributions to cover a wide spectrum of fields namely Konkani music, dance, folklore, culture, language, heritage, literature, art, the way of life, Konkani self-esteem and Konkani identity. At a time when Konkani was about to be martyred in the altar of the deluge of globalization and westernization Mandd Sobhann took up the cudgels to safeguard the onslaught on Konkani and succeeded to a great extent.

In the course of the last two and half decades Mandd Sobhann has become a movement, an organization and a cultural icon - all rolled into one and cemented its existence as a unique cultural organization serving the cause of Konkani. The 25 days cultural fiesta organized last year to mark stepping into the 25th year attended by none other than the President of India, was another feather in the cap of Mandd Sobhann’s long and impressive list of achievements. This event was recognized as the first and biggest of its kind of programmes in its efforts of showcasing Konkani culture and diversity in all its manifestation and thus keeping the Konkani flag flying high. It goes to the credit of Mandd Sobhann that it could come out with flying colours by managing an event of such magnitude with ease and keep its reputation intact of conducting events with meticulous planning, proper groundwork and flawless execution. Mandd Sobhann is also the proud holders of Guinness Book of World Records for World’s longest Singing Marathon by Multiple Singers, another unique achievement in its crowning glory.

Beautiful Stage Blooms

In Konkani ‘Mandd’ means stage and ‘sobhann’ means beautiful programme and together it denotes the meaning - a “beautiful stage”. It has lived up to the image of being an institution which provides the platform for showcasing Konkani culture in all its diversity and vivacity. Its cultural experiments have led to presenting a multitude of programmes (Sobhanns) with more than thousand performances to its credit till date, encompassing every facet of Konkani art, culture and language. It has undertaken many “yatras” (awareness tours) to create awareness among Konkanis of all hues, all over the world.

It has organized many mega events having regional, national and international significance like World’s first Baila Show, International Manddo Fest, Porob, Saanth and many such events. Mandd Sobhann also organized many camps, workshops, seminars, convention, conferences on subjects pertaining to Konkani. It has presented numerous cultural programmes in Konkani in various mass media to spread the fragrance of Konkani among a wide section of Konkani speaking people.

“Kalaangann” – The Konkani Heritage Centre – the only one of its kind anywhere in the world, was established in 2001 demonstrates Mandd Sobhann’s unwavering commitment to work for the cause of Konkani. Kalaangann has ever since emerged as the epicenter of a number of programmes which Mandd Sobhann presents to Konkani people from time to time.

Mandd Sobhann has played a crucial role to dovetail Konkani speaking people splintered across the length and breadth of the world and the Jagotik Konkani Songhatton - the Global Konkani Organization is an efforts in that direction. The Jagatik Konkani Songhattan launched in August this year is promoted by Mandd Sobhann to provide representation to Konkani people of all regions, dialects, castes, creeds, religions and also to find solution to issues pertaining to Konkanis globally. It also aims at preserving and enriching Konkani Culture to ensure handing it over to posterity in all its beauty and variety. Needless to say Mandd Sobhann has bloomed in its germane efforts.

Rich Dividend

The efforts of Mandd Sobhann to revive and energize Konkani have yielded rich dividends in the form of rejuvenating and reviving Konkani music, art, culture, dance, heritage, and language and Konkani ethos. It has given a new dimension and direction to Konkani movement and to reassert its place in the country. Mandd Sobhann has helped enhance Konkani Swabhiman (self-respect) among Konkani speaking people to a great extent. There is an increased sense of bonhomie among Konkanis irrespective of religious or caste-based barriers. It has provided an opportunity for artistes, singers, actors, dancers to hone their skills and exhibit their talents. It has revived Konkani music and given a new thrust to Konkani dance. By conducting research, study documentation it helps preserve the exclusivity of Konkani culture to posterity.

Despite such humungous achievements to its credit, Mandd Sobhann is not resting on its innumerous achievements or laurels. Rather it has been setting new goals and applying innovative measures in its pursuit to play a meaningful role in its endeavors as custodians of Konkani culture and to transmit it to more and more Konkanis. Its inexorable efforts are sure to make Konkani spread its fragrance in different parts of India and also abroad. Mandd Sobhann is sure to sublimate its efforts in the direction with the same vitality and vivacity with which it has worked in the last 25 years to reach the position of eminence it occupies today.

While Mandd Sobhann deserves accolades and kudos for its commitment to work for Konkani’s cause, its eclectic achievements and the gravitas with which it goes about its work, requires the cooperation and patronage of all Konkanis. It would go a long way in strengthening the bond among Konkanis and their collective efforts would help serve the cause of Konkani better.