Report and Pics: Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (SP)
Mumbai, Sep 5: The 17th World Konkani Day was celebrated by Goan Review Art Foundation (GRAF )in association with Konkani association, Mumbai on August 30, 2009 at Antonio D’Souza High school hall here.
The objective of this celebration was to highlight the significance of this day – the inclusion of Konkani in the eighth schedule of the Indian constitution.
It was also an opportunity to display the rich heritage of Konkani through the cultural programmes that were presented on the occasion. The traditional Dekhnni, Mando and the Fugddi brought forth the rich tradition of the Konkans, particularly from Goa. It was a nostalgic experience for the older folks present and an opportunity for the younger generation particularly from the metro, to have a peek at what Konkan culture is all about.
The skit, ‘Ghotallo’ was a sort of suspense with a lot of humour. The audiences enjoyed every bit of action, particularly the dialogues.
GRAF promotes Konkani in a big way. Besides the cultural programmes, there were literary competitions conducted during the year. World Konkani Day ’09 was a big opportunity to honour and recognize the winners with rewards. The following were the winners of Konkani literary awards:
Konkani essay writing: Jose Silveira - first prize, Alisha D’Costa – consolation Prize.
Konkani short story writing: Milton Rodrigues, first prize and Savio D’Silva second prize.
Konkani one-act-play writing: Cyril D Fernandes - first prize and Marcos Gonsalves - second prize.
The chief guest also released GRAF’s short story book entitled ‘Kothamall’ featuring 12 short stories authored by 12 renowned writers on the occasion.
Renowned Konkani tiatrists Titta Pretto, Betty Fernandes and Prem Kumar (posthumously) were felicitated by the Bahrain Goans on the occasion.
The Goan Review’s ‘Personality of the year 2008-09 was awarded to Felix Dias.
GRAF also felicitated three Konkani personalities, who have rendered yeoman services to the cause of Konkani - Lawrence D’Souza, Kamani, Konkani activist and Literateur Baptist D’Souza (Jack of all stalls ) for promoting Konkani and a Konkani enthusiast named Joe de Verna, who regularly writes letters to the editors in Konkani periodicals.
President of GRAF- Fausto V da Costa, in his welcome address, stressed the importance of the need for all the Konkani - speaking people to unite and preserve the rich heritage of Konkanis for posterity. Chief guest Fr Francis Ramesh, director of Kalangann, called upon the gathering to use their mother tongue Konkani and spread it among the new generation by speaking the language. Entrepreneur and renowned banker John D’Silva graced the occasion as the guest of honour.
In the keynote address of the day, Lawrence D’Souza, Kamani, highlighted the rich treasures of the Konkani language and the progress it has made so far.
The cultural programme was followed by dancing sessions, in which the gathering took part enthusiastically and took away a number of spot prizes.
All in all, this World Konkani Day, for all the people attending the function, about 300 people, was a day of learning the significance of World Konkani Day. Besides this, everyone enjoyed the display of the rich Konkan heritage and culture. Last but not the least, the delicious Konkan culinary treat was enjoyed by all.