Mangalore: Konkani Bhasha Mandal Celebrates 36th Founders Day

By Our Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Jan 1: 36th Founders Day celebrations of Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Karnataka, was held at Bhuvanendra Hall, Canara High School, Dongarakeri Mangalore on Friday, Jan 1. Dr Austin D Souza Prabhu, emiment Konkani Writer and founder secretary of Konkani Bhasha Mandal was the chief guest of the function. Dr Prabhu’s wife Terry D Souza was also present on the occasion. 

Addressing the gathering Dr Austin D Souza Prabhu urged upon Konkani speaking people to write down whatever they have in their mind whenever possible so that Konkani can flourish.  “We Konkanis call our language as ‘our language’, a usage not used by anyone else when it comes to referring to their language.  Our Konkani can be saved from the onslaught of other languages only when our children speak and learn the language and carry it forward”, he pointed out.   He recalled the names of Konkani stalwarts like late B V Baliga, Damodar Prabhu, G G Vasudeva Prabhu, Srinivasa Mallya and said the work done by these great men for the cause of Konkani should be carried forward by the present generation. 

He lamented that though Konkani has been included in the 8th schedule of the constitution it has not made much headway as regard to its prosperity as it should have.  He called upon people like Basti Vaman Shenoy to take up the cudgels on behalf of Konkani speaking people to take the language to further glory so that Konkani can survive the blitzkrieg of other languages.  “English is no doubt a universal language and need to be studied.  But Konkani is our mother tongue and we have to respect, preserve and work to ensure that more and more people use the language both to speak and to write”, Dr Prabhu stated. 

Konkan Bhasha Mandal had also organised a felicitation programme to Kasaragod Chinna, Producer/director/actor of Konkani, Kannada and Tulu Drama, Concepta Fernandes, Programme Executive of All India Radio and Florine Roche, Transmission Executive of All India Radio for their contribution to promote and preserve Konkani Language.  Dr Austin D Souza Prabhu felicitated them with shawl, flowers and mementos. As producer, actor and Director Kasaragod Chinna has contributed in his mite for the promotion of Konkani. Both Concepta and Florine have recently won programme excellence awards in the state level Akashavani annual award competition for their works on Konkani people Konkan Kogul Wilfy Rebimbus and late Amembal Dinakar Rao, a musicologist par excellence and were felicitated in recognition of their service to Konkani. 

Accepting the award Kasaragod Chinna sated that though Kasaragod is not part of Karnataka he always feels being part of Karnataka.  “You have not kept us apart.  I have never been made to feel I am orphaned”, he stated. 

Members of Swarashree Kalavedike presented a 45-minuted cultural programme “Sugama Sangeetha Vahini” on the occasion.  Ganesh Shenoy’s magic show was another major attraction of the programme. 

The programme began with the prayer song written by late B V Baliga ‘godi godi vhod bhas’, sung by Malathi Kamath, Sabith Maroli and Vasanthi Nayak. Fr Eric Crasta, President Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Karnataka welcomed the gathering.  He also presented mementos to the Chief guests.  Geeta C Kini, Secretary, Konkani Bhasha Mandal gave a vote of thanks.  Gurudatt Baliga compered the programme.