Media Release

Moodbidri, Aug 10: The Dakshina Kannada district-level 'Konkani Sambhram', a Konkani conference, was held with great grandeur at the Gantalkatte church premises on August 9, in collaboration with the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy and Rang Tarang, Moodbidri.

Senior Konkani writer Dolphy F Lobo, who presided over the conference, addressed the gathering and expressed his appreciation for the work and initiatives of the academy.

Welcoming everyone present, academy president Joachim Stany Alvares noted that the Konkani language is not bound by any single script and is primarily written using five scripts. "Along with Kannada, Roman, Perso-Arabic, Devanagari, and Malayalam scripts, Konkani is also written in the Gujarati script. The Konkani language is like a beautiful flower garden," he said, presenting a bird's-eye view of the academy's achievements so far.

Chief guest Guru Baliga addressed the gathering and conveyed his best wishes. Gantalkatte church parish priest Fr Roque D'Sa and Rang Tarang Moodbidri leader Lloyd Rego were also present on the dais.

On this occasion, the valedictory ceremony of the 15-day 'Rang Paryatan' – a painting tour along the Konkani coast which began on July 25 – was held, and six artists who participated in the tour were felicitated. Prior to the formal stage programme, various competitions were organized, and prizes were distributed.

Following the stage programme, a seminar on the topic 'Konkani Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow' was conducted by Titus Noronha, Tara Laveena Mascarenhas, and Ranson Stephen Coutinho. The Konkani play 'Jugari' was then performed by Astitva (R), Mangaluru.

Winston Joel Sequeira compered the event, while programme coordinator Praveen Aranha proposed a vote of thanks. Academy member Ronald Crasta was also present