Media Release

Mangalore, Nov 9: `Vhaardic' a Konkani research book on Kudmi folklore by Gopal M Gowda was released here recently.

“Vhaardic” is the third volume in the series of researched books on Kudmi folklore by Gopal M Gowda of Yedapadav.

This prestigious and informative volume was released on November 1 at the launching of Juvankaar Charitable Trust website by Dr Pius Fidelis Pinto.

The earlier works of Shri Gowda are ‘Kudmyanlim Gumta Ani Thonniyo,’ ‘Konkani Kudmi Gaadhi,’ and ‘Gumat.’, all published by Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, Mangalore.

The event took place under the presidentship of  Dr P Devdas Pai, registrar of the Academy and Basti Vaman Shenoy, president of Vishwa Konkani Kendra.

The website was declared open by Advocate P P Hegde, the same occasion also saw the distribution of scholarships to 89 Kudmi students and this was carried out by Premalatha Shetty, mother of entrepreneur Vijayanatha Vittal Shetty.

Around 350 attended this Program which also had presentation shows of Kudmi folklore dances. The entire program was compered by Vijaya Gowda, managing trustee of the Juvankar Charitable Trust

Gopal M.Gowda himself  is a versatile Kudmi folklore artiste and he and a troupe trained by him have given several shows throughout the country.

Gowda works in the Konkani Institute of St Aloysius College (Autonomous) Mangalore and is in-charge of the Library of the Institute, coordinates the PGDC in Konkani and also gives a helping hand in handling visitors to the famed museum of the college.

He is well versed in both the scripts of Konkani, Kannada and Devnagari and plays an important role in the publication of the research, bi-annual publication, “Amar Konkani.”.