Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (SP)
Kundapur, Apr 14: A three-day programme aimed at nurturing and giving further fillip to Konkani language and art, and to encourage people with notable achievement in the field of Konkani, titled 'Konkani Rangotsava and Rangaratna Awards function' was held at Kambadakone in the taluk under the aegis of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy and Ranga Taranga, Uppunda.
The programme succeeded in achieving its stated objectives of instilling a sense of affection and belongingness towards Konkani language, encouraging the children to love their mother tongue, and providing a stage for Konkani culture. The participants of the programme noted with concern the growing influence of English on Konkani language like others, and alarming decline in the number of people speaking their monther tongue, Konkani. They also agreed on the need to create awareness about the language to rejuvenate it.
The programme was inaugurated by Udupi district in-charge minister, Vinay Kumar Sorake on Friday April 10. Byndoor MLA, K Gopal Poojary, presided over the function. President of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, Roy Castelino, delivered introductory address. Byndoor Holy Cross Church priest, Fr Ronald Miranda, extended best wishes for the success of the endeavour. Khursheed Alam Habibulla, manager of Ribhco's Bhatkal unit, Shiroor gram panchayat president, Rama Mesta, Noor Jamia Masjid president, M S Farooq, census awardee and retired headmaster, Ramanand Bhat, president of Kanchikana Goddess Durgaparamesdhwari Temple Renovation Committee, K Raveendra Kini, Kundapur Rosary Cooperative Society director, Martin Dias Byndoor, Naikanakatte Milk Producers Cooperative Society president, Ramesh Pai, and registrar of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, Dr B Devadas Pai, were present.
Theatre personality and director and actor of plays, Satish Pai Kundapur, Alvyn Andrade Sastan, actor and playwright, Panduranga Madivala Gangolli were presented with 'Rangaratna' Awards.
Prakash Bhat of Nandanavana New Vinayaka Cashews presented the programme.
On the next day, All Women's Meet was conducted successfully. On that day, 'Rangaratna' awards were handed over to three women with illustrious contributions to Konkani literature and theatre. They were Yakshagana director, Kiran Pai Shivamogga, humorist, Sandhya Shenoy Udupi, and director of plays, Mamata Kamath Mysore.
A symposium on 'our involvement with Konkani literature' was held on this occasion. Teacher from Hosangady, Pushpa Raghavendra Kini, Vidya Chandrahas Mesta Shiroor, as well as writer-director, Mamata Kamath, delved deep into issues involved through meaningful contributions. Yadtare gram panchayat member, Shanti Pereira, hosted thi sprogramme.
The meeting held on this occasion was chaired by Pete Venkataramana Temple Kundapur president, Radhakrishna Shenoy. Uppunda Laxmivenkataramana Temple president, Vishnu Padiyar, Shiroor Venkataramana Temple president, Vasudeva Shanbhogue, Venkataramana Seva Samiti Naikanakatte president, Damodar Prabhu, participated as chief guests. Actress and poet, Poornima Suresh, extended greetings for the success of the programme, while Padmavathi Panduranga Padiyar presented the programme.
Symposium on 'our role in education' was held on the third day. Secretary of S V Group of Educational Institutions Gangolli, Ganesh Kamath, inaugurated the symposium. Journalist, U S Shenoy, presided. Academy president, Roy Castelino, introduced the subject. The unique feature of this programme was that every participant came out with their individual views. President of 'Ranga Taranga', Om Ganesh Uppunda, presented the programme. In general, a view that opportunity to learn Konkani should be provided from first standard onwards, emerged at the programme.
The valedictory function held in the evening was chaired by chartered accountant, Ramachandra Prabhu Uppunda. Academy president, Roy Castelino, delivered valedictory address. Entrepreneur Nityanand Pai, spoke on the occasion. A number of dignitaries including Samyukta GSB Committee president, G Gopinath Kamath, and registratr of the Academy, Dr B Devadas Pai, were present. On this occasion, 'Rangaratna' awards were given to actor-director, Raveendra Krishna Prabhu Shirali, music director, Srinivas Prabhu Uppunda and Santosh Shenoy Mangalore at the programme which was hosted by Manjunath Mahale, former Rotary president.
'Yeyya Sambhramya' programme presented variety entertainment programme. Folklore dance by children, 'Teeni Ratna' play directred by Satish Pai, Aji-Kali humor presented by Sandghtya Shenoy, Konkani Yakshagana programme, 'Chakravyooha' by Sri Vagdevi Mahila Yaksharanga, 'Naada Nriya'k programme by Mandd Sobhann Mangalore, 'Doni Ghadi Hassun Kadi' by Rangakirana Konkani Nataka Sabha Mangalore etc provided good entertainment to the crowd. 'Chudi Puja', and 'Punya Koti' presented by women touched the hearts of the people.
The programme mainly materialized due to the efforts of Om Ganesh, who has travelled the country and abroad as an actor and magician. He expressed happiness at the huge success of the entire programme beyond his own expectations.