Mangalore: Na D'Souza Inaugurates Workshop on Translating Konkani Short Stories to Kannada
Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VM)
Mangalore, Oct 26: A three day workshop on translating short Konkani stories to Kannada was inaugurated at the World Konkani Center, Shakthinagar here on Friday October 26.
The workshop was organized by the Konkani language and cultural foundation, Mangalore in collaboration with Kuvempu Bhasha Bharati Pradhikara, Bangalore.
Na D’Souza, senior Kannada writer inaugurated the workshop by lighting a lamp.
S M Krishna Rao, senior Kannada Konkani writer; Dr Geetha Shenoy, prominent translator; Melvyn Rodrigues, poet; Basti Vaman Shenoy, president of Konkani language and cultural foundation; Venkatesh Baliga, secretary of Konkani language and cultural foundation shared the dais.
Speaking on the occasion, Geetha Shenoy said that the world konkani center has taken up the major and important step in translating Konkani literature to Kannada. She said that the Kannada and Konkani literature in the coastal area grew together and most of the contribution to Kannada language is given by Konkani writers, she said.
Shenoy said that there are three merits in translating Konkani books. Firstly the Konkani language will be known, secondly the culture will grow and thirdly Konkani writers will be known by others. The translation of books also helps in the growth of the language, she added.
Speaking about the translation from one language to another, she said it is a difficult task as one need to have strong hold on both the languages. She informed that around 25 budding translators will be a part of the workshop.
She lauded the initiative taken by the foundation and also hoped that the workshop on translation would be taken up in other languages as well.
Addressing the gathering, Na D’Souza said that around 27 lac Konkani people are there in Karnataka who are striving hard in various fields but have failed to introduce their language to other communities. "We have kept aside our language and culture from others which is the biggest mistake", he alleged.
"By introducing our language and culture to others, we will grow", he said appreciating the initiative taken by Konkani language and cultural foundation in translating Konkani books.
S M Krishna Rao said that Konkani people are not aware of the literature belonging to other languages. He said translating books from one language to another is a difficult task as it not only restricts in translating languages but it is also important for a translator to know the feelings of the writer other than just translating script.
Basti Vaman Shenoy welcomed the gathering, Melvyn Rodrigues compered the programme and Venkatesh Baliga delivered the vote of thanks.
Raghunath Shet, president of Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Madhav Pai, Gladys Rego, Dr Kasturi Mohan Pai, Prakash Shenoy, Ramesh Pai, Guru Baliga among others were present.
20 participants are taking part in this 3-day long workshop.