Media Release
Mangalore, Aug 22: "The contributions of late B V Baliga for the survival and progress of Konkani by single-handedly starting a Konkani monthly magazine is immense. He continued his love for the language for nearly five decades," said Roy Castelino, president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy.
He was speaking as the chief guest during the 96th birth anniversary programme titled 'Konkani Kalo B V Balo' (Konkani's Jasmine B V Baliga) in memory of of well-known Konkani journalist, founder editor of 'Panchkadai,' a Konkani monthly magazine and former president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy late B V Baliga. The programme was held under the aegis of the academy at the Nalanda school on Saturday August 16.
"The service of B V Baliga enabled the Konkani language achieve the highest position," said another chief guest, Secretary of World Konkani Student Scholarship Fund, Pradeep G Pai. The Secretary of Association of Minority Educational Institutions, Mangalore Dr K Mohan Pai and founder of Swarashree Arts Forum Vasanthi R Nayak offered their homage.
Konkani activist, littérateur and researcher Paul Moras was honoured with the title 'Konkani Itihasacho Uzvadu' (Light of the history of Konkani). A discussion on the history of Konkani journalism based on the work titled 'Jagarana' (Awakening) by Paul Moras was held later during the programme.
Fr Francis Rodrigues, editor of Konkani weekly newspaper 'Rakno' and Gokuldas Prabhu, president of All India Konkani Parishad spoke about 'Jagarana.'
Amagele Balaga, Mangalore president of Panambur Vithobha Bhandarkar presided over the programme. M R Kamath conducted a quiz for the audience who participated in the discussion.
Editor of the magazine 'Kodiala Khabar,' Mavinakurve Venkatesh Baliga welcomed the gathering. Group songs composed by late B V Baliga were sung by the students of Swarashree Kalavedike.
Vidya Baliga, Geetha C Kini, M R Kamath, Naresh Kini, Jayaprakash Nayak, Sudhir Baliga, Umesh Prabhu, Praveena Kamath, Raghava Kamath and Niranjan Rao cooperated. Ratnakar Kudva compered the programme.