Mangalore: Shyam Benegal Dedicates 'Kalaangann' to Konkani World
Report: Florine Roche
Pictures: Dayananda Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
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Mangalore: Nov 30: Noted film Director and Dada Saheb Phalke Award winner Shyam Benegal today dedicated the dream project of Mandd Sobhann “Kalaangann” – the Konkani heritage centre, to the Konkani World in a glittering ceremony held at the Kalaangann grounds in Shaktinagar. Speaking on the occasion Mr Benegal compared the diversity of Konkani to the diversity of India and said “In many ways Konkani represents mini India which is diverse and distinct”. He stressed the importance of setting up a research wing at Kalaangann to keep the Konkani language alive and thriving.
“Samarpann”- the dedication venue proved to be the perfect occasion to begin the new journey of another dream project of Mandd Sobhann – a cross over Hindi film with the theme of searching for Konkani roots. The assembled Konkani aficionados cheered in unison when another film director Uday Shankar Pani announced the packed crowd that Mandd Sobhann has succeeded in convincing veteran film Director Shyam Benegal to agree to direct the dream project film “Soad – Ek Khoj”.
It was no doubt a historic day for all Konkani lovers who had gathered in large numbers at Kalaangann, to witness the epoch making event where rich and unique Konkani culture and splendor was on display to its fullest glory. Representatives of 43 different Konkani speaking communities spread across India participated in the event signifying the unity and brotherhood of Konkani speaking people. These representatives attired in their colourful traditional attire came in a procession with bricks and presented the same to Mr Shyam Benegal. A symbolic building was built from these bricks to represent Kalaangann. After formally inaugurating Kalaangann, Shyam Benegal symbolically dedicated the model of Kalaangann to the Konkani community much to the delight and joy of the assembled audience.
The Bishop of Mangalore Rt Aloysius Paul D’Souza, launched the Online Konkani Dictionary (www.konkanidictionary.com) on this occasion. He observed a minute’s silence for the martyrs who lost their lives in the tragic incidents of Mumbai.
Speaking on the occasion the Bishop stressed the importance of children learning speaking the Konkani language to keep it alive. “We should be proud of our language and develop love for the Konkani language. While it is our right to love our language it is our duty to respect other languages also”, he stated. Mangalore Diocese he said “has been instrumental in protecting and promoting Konkani language and it would continue to lend all its support and encouragement for the growth of the language”.
Konkani poet Melvyn Rodrigues who has been instrumental in the work related to Online Konkani Dictionary stated that all out efforts will be made to put at least one lac English words in Konkani language in the online Konkani Dictionary. .
Wilson Mazarello of Goa spoke on the need of Vishw Konkani Sanghatann (World Konkani Organisation) on the occasion. He said “The time was just ripe to bring all the Konkani speaking people under one umbrella and World Konkani Organisation will be able to carry out this task to the best of its ability. Albert D'Souza, Mumbai launched the Vishw Konkani Sanghattann by hoisting a flag planted on the replica of a globe.
Chief guests, patrons and other guests on the dais were accorded a traditional welcome in the form of a welcome song and dance. Louis J Pinto, President of Mandd Sobhann welcomed the guests. Welcoming the guests he said “Kalaangann is a dream comes true. A few years back we could not even afford to dream. But now we have succeeded in making the dreams a reality”.
Gurkar Eric Ozario accorded ‘pan-pod’ (traditional welcome) to the guests. A documentary was shown to give a glimpse of a brief history of Mandd Sobhann to the audience.
A documentary was also shown with live commentary giving the audience information about the structure, its interiors, the scenic beauty that is visible and enjoyed from the premises etc., so as to acquaint the people with “Kalaangann”. Kalaangann, which is said to be only one-of-its’s-kind project in the world, houses a amphitheatre, research centre, hostel, cafeteria, open stage and ground.
A four minute promo of the Konkani film “Soad – Ek Khoj” the theme with an effort to trace the Konkani roots was shown. The film will be produced by Mandd Sobhann with Ronald Colaco providing financial assistance for its project report. Executive producer of the film will be Udaya Shankar Pani, who said “the dream is to make the dream a reality in the form of this film in Hindi.
Ronald Colaco, who is the prime donor for the entire project stated that Kalaangann is the monument of efforts put in by all those who have worked unstintingly to make their dreams a reality.
Eric Ozario, gurkar, Mandd Sobhann, Roy Castelino, pirjent, Mandd Sobhann, Ronald Mendonca, Chairman, Kalaangann, Albert D'Souza, Mumbai, John D'Silva, Mumbai, Eric Correa and others were present on the dais.
The cultural programme that followed the inaugural and dedication of Kalaangann, displayed the rich and distinct Konkani culture. Cultural programmes by different Konkani speaking communities with their colourful attire, and traditional dance dramas and equally entertaining musical accompaniments, entertained the audience. Titus Noronha and Nagendra compered the programme.
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