Sakleshpur: ‘Konkani Utsav’ Stresses Need for Preserving Language
 
News and Pics by Praveen Tauro Kulshekar
Daijiworld Media Network - Sakleshpur (RD/CN)
 
Sakleshpur, Apr 16: ‘Konkani Utsav’ was held at Our Lady of Mercy church, here on Thursday April 16.  It was jointly organized by Catholic Konkani Rakan Sanchalan, Sundekere and Sakleshpur parish units, with the objective of preserving Konkani among the dwindling Konkans in the Malnad region.
 
Head-load offerings from parishioners of 14 parishes, that is, Chikmagalur Cathedral, Vijayapura, Mudigere, Sundekere, Haralli, Hassan, Magge, Malandoor, Balehonnur, Basrikatte, Kadabagere, Hoove, Nagundi, and Bankal, was brought on a convoy of automobiles from Crawford Hospital, B M Road, to the venue.

Our Lady of Mercy parish priest Fr Vincent D’Souza received the offerings from the devotees at the parish. 
 
Well-known business tycoon and philanthropist Ronald Colaco and Fr D’Souza inaugurated the programme.
 
Traditional Mangalorean delicacy ‘Mandas’ and beverages were served to all on the occasion.

The solemn Mass was offered by Fr D’Souza along with Fr Abel Lobo, Sakleshpur parishioner and first priest Fr Arthur Prashant Menezes, and ‘Raknno’ Konkani weekly editor Fr Francis Rodrigues.   Bendore parish choir master Clifford D’Souza led the choir group with melodious singing during the Mass.

Formal stage programme was held after the Eucharist.
 
Fr Rodrigues said that Konkani has survived for many centuries with every generation of Konkans helping enrich it to reach this stage.  
 
Fr Rodrigues, Fr Menezes, Konkan Prachar Sanchalan president Roy Castelino, Konkani Rakan Sanchalan (KRS) Chikmagalur diocesan president Cyril Rebello, secretary Geetha Dias, Fr Benjamin Aranha, KRS Beloor unit president Philip Saldanha, KRS Sakleshpur unit president Richard Lobo, RKS Mysore unit president Gratian Rodrigues, and KRS Sakleshpur unit secretary Rakesh Menezes were present on the dais. 
 
Fr D’Souza welcomed the gathering and introduced the dignitaries. 
 
Colaco and Castelino were felicitated for their yeomen service to Konkani by Fr D’Souza.
 
KRS Balehonnur unit founder president Joseph Lobo, Yuva Awaz president Denis D’Silva, Dolphy D’Souza of Bantwal youth Congress and Stany Alvares of ‘Mandd Sobhann’ were the guests of honour. 
 
The head load-offerings of fruits and vegetables was auctioned off and traditional Mangalorean food consisting of pork and large buns was served to all on Thursday afternoon.
 
Colaco urged the gathering not to be divided over Konkani and instead to unite as Christians to have great impact in politics and society.  He also sought the assistance of all Christians towards the cause of the Karnataka Christian Federation.
 
Castelino said that the history of Konkani dates back 8,000 years.  Over 70,000 Christians from erstwhile South Canara who were held hostage by Tipu Sultan till his death on February 24, 1784, had sustained their faith and he urged everyone to persevere similarly.

Cyril Rebello said that despite the enduring faith of Christians of the past, the new generation seemed hesitant to speak their mother tongue Konkani despite the language being listed in the eighth volume of the Indian constitution.

He also wondered why there were hurdles in offering Mass in Konkani at least once a week in various parishes across Chikmagalur diocese, as 40 priests of 56 have Konkani as their mother tongue.   
 
‘Bokro Saiba Bokro’, a Konkani play was staged by artistes from Mangalore.  Claude D’Souza Bendore was the playwright. Joseph Pinto proposed vote of thanks and Kiran Carlo Basrikatte compered the programme.