Zita Usha Fernandes

Mangaluru, Feb 15: The first ever Saraswath Konkani 'Jana Mana' was produced more than three decades ago, none other than Dr Ramesh Kamath in 1980. The movie which was directed by Ramesh was the first Konkani movie to be telecasted on National Network of Doordarshan.

Dr Kamath is a graduate from the prestegious Film and TV Institute, Pune. The 66-year-old has also served as the director of Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, Bengaluru.
 
Dr Kamath is now ready with the first ever children's movie in Konkani 'Aa Vai Jaa Saa'. The film was premiered at Konkani Sammelana at Atlanta, USA in front of a gathering of 2,500 people. Dr Kamath has directed and produced 'Aa Vai Jaa Saa'. He was awarded the Life Time Achievement Award on July 2, 2016.

'Aa Vai Jaa Saa' means Aaadyatmic (Spiritual), Vaijnanic (Scientific), Jaatyathith (Secular) and Saamajik (Social). The 70-minute movie is said to be based on moral values and is quite motivating. The film has recived praise from all quarters. 'Aa Vai Jaa Saa' had bagged an award at Headline International Film Festival, Canada. It was the only film from Karnataka to be screened at the National Film Festival held at Jaipur, Rajasthan on November 14, 2016.

Aprat from movies, Dr Kamath has written many books in Konkani. His popular Konkani drama 'Bharath Puracho Bharath Master' was published by Kerala Konkani Academy in 1982. Dr Kamath has brought out cassettes on Konkani folk songs as well. He has delivered many research oriented talks on Konkani langauge and culture at Konkani platforms.

Dr Kamath who was invited to Konkani Lokotsav 2017 by Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy presented his paper on Digitisation of Konkani Children Literature Pros and cons on February 10. The gathering appreciated the presentation.

It is highly recomended to consider his contribution to Konkani langauge and provide him a space to screen his movie 'Aa Vai Jaa Saa' at All India Konkani Sammelan, New Delhi in March 2017.