Doha: Konkani and Goan Culture Depicted on World Goa Day 2010
Media Release
Doha, Oct 10: “Celebrate Goa and Goans”, being the watchword of World Goa Day was exhibited in vibrant and multihued celebration recently, by the Goan Welfare Association in Qatar. World Goa Day 2010 was presented in a riot of colours and lively music depicting the Goan identity, culture, language and traditions by Goans of different ages from 6 to 74.
President of Goan Welfare Association Simon D’Silva welcomed the guests, members, fellow goans and members of the Konkani speaking community. He said, it is a very auspicious day and a great honour to have Eric Ozario, co-founder of Mandd Sohbann and Kalaangann who is a born singer, composer and full time cultural activist as the chief guest. He said that the World Goa Day is being celebrated in solidarity on 20th August to commemorate inclusion of Konkani language in the eight schedule of the Indian constitution. But some will schedule their observance of the international event on a date best suited to their communities. D’Silva, introduced Derick D’Souza a prominent goan from Para who was born in Kenya and settled in Siolim Goa, as a guest of honour who is working in Qatar since 1979.
Konkannis should work together while inviting artists and troupes from Goa and also consider enacting dramas and Konkani plays by engaging talented individuals from local community in Qatar, this will enhance the local talent and promote Konkani, said Fr. Anand Castelino, assistant parish priest of our lady of the rosary church Qatar who presided over the function.
I remember the yesteryear films Amchem Noxib, Nirmon and their plot and songs, these resemble konkanni beauty. Speak and read konkanni and keep the ekvott. We shall do local dramas, nattoks and other cultural Konkani programs and seek support from Fr. Anand Castelino for venues like hall, pleaded Eddie Sequeira, Editor of Ekvott Magazine, Konkani Speaking community Qatar who was invited as a special guest.
The inclusion of Konkanni language in the eight schedule of the Indian Constitution on 20th August 1992 and celebration of World Goa Day brings all goan expatriates together in various countries and show the togetherness, culture and tradition. We must continue to speak konkanni and teach our children, that there is no age bar to learn any language and once learnt you will always remember it, said Derick D’Souza who was the guest of honour for the function.
Chief guest Eric Ozario said, Konkans are a community of 50 lakhs konkani speakers. Out of the 4000 odd Indian languages, Konkani is the 18th language included in the eight schedule of the Indian constitution at that time and now there are 21 official languages. Konkani has been introduced as a third language in Karnataka Schools. Is there any place for Konkanni in our Hearts? or in our Homes? Have we given Konkanni to our children – which was given to us by our forefathers? Have we carried on with the legacy? Is it good to continue with the legacy? questioned Eric Ozario. He also briefed the gathering on the upcoming First World Konkanni Cultural Convention to be held at Mandd Sobhann, Mangalore from 25th November to 19th December 2010 and sought support and invited all for the convention. He said Keralites call themselves Malayalis, People from Tamil Nadu call themselves Tamils, let us all people from the Konkan regions of Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka call ourselves as Konkans. Ozario complimented Goan Welfare Association for the marvelous and colourful cultural evening being presented, depicting the language and true goan culture in a distant miles away.
The celebration was followed by launching of two books; “Into the Diaspora Wilderness by Selma Carvalho at the hands of Fr. Anand Castelino and “Konknni Cholchitram” by Isidoro Dantas was unveiled by Eric Ozario. Both the books are now available with the GWA committee members for the general public.
The event has highlighted the importance of sustaining the legacy of the Konkani language and the Goan heritage for the future generations. Six prominent Goans were also felicitated for their contribution to the community – Young girl Sanchia Fernandes was felicitated and awarded as “Outstanding Talent in Singing” for her remarkable singing talent and numerous singing awards. “Outstanding Community Service Awards” were presented to Teodoro Colaco for his tremendous commitment to the Konkani music ministry for the last continuous 20 years, Nery Alphonso for his dedicated services at the mortuary to anyone at any time, Menino Franco, John Dias and Roque Rodrigues for their outstanding social work for the general community.
The programme was well attended with the hall packed to capacity. The event showcased talents of the young and the older Goans, singing Konkani mandos, dulpods, kunnbi dance and other dances to the beats of Goan masala with a perfect synergy between modernity and tradition.
The event continued till the wee hours in the morning by DJ Glorio with his exquisite choice of music ensured that everybody had a tumultuous time clamoring for more and more. Moses Fernandes compered the event and lot of spot prizes were given away.
Goan traditional kunnbi dance was performed by Effie Noronha, Nancy D’Silva, Sacra Fernandes, Matilda Mascarenhas, Merwyn Ferrao, Nicholas Rebello, Joaquim Rodrigues and Martin Mascarenhas.
Konkani duet was sung by Jr. Roseferns and Tania (Antonia) Rodrigues while Sanchia sang solos including Claudia. Husband/wife duo named “Dev Borem Korum” was sung by Jr. Roseferns and Liby Fern andes. Senior citizen Flory Pinto performed a solo song.
Konkani masala dance was performed by tiny tots Gina Noronha, Elena Noronha, Juanne Dias, Muriel Fernandes, Aditi Pinto, Sanlorf D’Silva, Snasloy D’Silva, Shaun Pereira, Melvic Mascarenhas and Garsio Fernandes.
Youth exhibited vibrant Konkani masala dance by Nikhil D’Cunha, Rosson Gurjao, Cliff Fernandes, Gasdy Fernandes, Civita Pereira and Jolin Rodrigues while Manddo was traditionally presented and performed by Jenny Cardozo e Gonsalves, Effie Noronha, Nancy D’Silva, Maria Gonsalves, Tania Rodrigues, Sacra Fernandes, Matilda Mascarenhas, Merwyn Ferrao, Nicholas Rebello, Cajetan Gonsalves, Joaquim Rodrigues and Allan Desouza. Typical goan music provided by Bonny (Keyboard), Liston (Guitar), Johny (Violin) and Martin (Bongo). Missing melody singer was Camilo Colaco, ex-band master of Déjà vu due to the unforeseen circumstances. The entire performers kept the crowd enthralling and enjoying every moment of the occasion.