Konkani Workshop from GRAF in Mumbai

 

Goan Review Art Foundation (GRAF) organised a one day Konkani Seminar on November 16, 2003 at Victoria School Hall, Mahim, Mumbai.

Talks and discussions were held on the following subjects: 1. Konkani Language, Konkani Associations and their Activities, 2. Konkani Publications - Then and Now and 3. Konkani Art, Culture, folklore and Music.

Around 30 Konkani enthusiasts participated in the Seminar and put forth their views, queries and problems. Two speakers each from Roman Konkani (Goans)and Kanada Konkani (Mangaloreans) respectively shared their views with the Konkani lovers on the above three subjects.

1. Konkani Language, Konkani Associations and their Activities: 

Konkani writer Ms. Philomena Samfrancisco threw some light on the attitude of the Goans regards their mother-tongue Konkani. Konkani language lacks importance among the Goans, she stated, today English has taken the place of Konkani among Goans. She focussed that Goans were vehemently opposing Konkani being made compulsory in the primary schools, and added that parents are responsible for not fostering the love of their mother-tongue among their children.

She suggested some remedies to propogate the language among the children and youngsters. She advocated that Goans should change their attitude and show some concern for their identity, language and culture, else the days are not too far when the Goans will not have their own identity, culture and language.

Konkani stage artiste, writer, director and journalist Mr. Sanu Monis highligted briefly the number of Konkani Associations existing in Mumbai, and their activities. He opined that the associations are not able to do much towards the progress of the language. Most of the Konkani associations are for the promotion of art and their aim is to put up one show in a year. This cannot achieve the desired goals, he stated. He also brought a fact to light that these associations do not work in collaboration, and work in different directions and as a result the progress of Konkani suffers. He suggested some remedies to be followed by the Konkani associations in order to achieve results.

During the course of discussion it was evident that the Konkani associations hardly works towards its aims and objects, and hence are unable to achieve the desired results. It was also clear that to many associations mushroom, and sometimes the persons heading the association do not posses the required knowledge of the language nor the aptitude to head the association, and hence such associations are harmful to the progress of Konkani. 

It was also crystal clear that the Konkani playrights and artistes do very little for the improvement of the Konkani literature. And lastly it was felt that Kanada Konkani associations outbeat the Roman Konkani associations in number, activity and achieving the desired results. 

 

2. Konkani Publications - Then And Now.

Konkani writer and activist Fr. Casmiro D’Mello speaking on the publication scene among the roman Konkani stated that it is becoming very difficult to publish any periodical or a book in Konkani today. He lamented that once upon a time there were plenty of publications for the service of the Goans, which have disappeared due to lack of readership and aptronage. Today he said that there are only 4 publications namely Vauraddeancho Ixtt - weekly, Gulab & Dor Mhoineachi Rotti - monthly and The Goan Review - English-Konkani bi-monthly. He opined that it’s very difficult for the publications to survive without advertisement and readers.

Renowned Konkani literateur, journalist, poet and Konkani Sahitya Academy award winner and Gen. Secretary of Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Mumbai Mr. J B Moraes gave a brief history of Kanada Konkani publications, their publishers and editors. He focussed on the existing Konkani publications in Mumbai and Mangalore, RAKHNNO being the oldest among the publications existing today in 

Mangalore. In Mumbai DIVO and the recently established weekly KUTAM are well received by the readers he said. He also highlighted the efforts and sacrifices of the publishers and the editors in publishing these periodicals.

The Goan Review edito, Mr. Fausto V. Da Costa was the moderator. Summing up the talks of the two speakers he commented that one sees an upward trend in the field of Kanada Konkani publications now, while a downward trend in the field of Roman Konkani publications today. He made an observation that the novels of late Reginald Fernandes which had a minimum sale of five to ten thousand copies then would hardly sell one thousand copies of his novel which was published three years ago. 

In course of discussion and clarification it was felt that Goans show scant respect to the Konkani publications and there are no readers as well as writers or journalists in the publication of Roman Konkani. However there is a revolution among the Mangalorean readers and they have been successful in increasing the number of readers. They are more patriotic and exhibit their love for their language. There is a need in the change of attitude among the Goans it was felt.

3. Konkani Art, Culture, Folklore and Music: 

Konkani artist, preacher and activist Fr. Salvador Rodrigues spoke on the Goan tiatr. The birth of tiatr and the popularity of the same. He highlighted the different ingredients that contributed to the success of tiatr and concluded that the tiatrists as well as audience is responsible for the downfall of tiatr today. He also highlighted the art of khell-tiatr which gradually came to be known as Non-Stop Show and the success of the same.

 

On the other hand Konkani artist, writer and journalist Mr. Joy Paladka gave a brief history of Konkani play and folklore among the Mangaloreans. He gave brief discription of the artist involved with the Mangalorean Konkani stage and analysed the problems faced by the writers,directors and artist today.

He also threw light on the music and folklore scene of the Mangalorean Konknnis and highlighted the contribution of Wilfy Remimbus and Eric Ozario (Mandd Sobhann).

Renowned Konkani tiatrist Joe Rose, who was the moderator summed up the talks of both the speakers and suggested that it’s time now that both the communities - Goans and Mangaloreans should put up shows in colloboration so that it attracts the viewers of both the communities.

In the course of the debate the vulgarity in the Goans tiatr and khell-tiatr and the ‘Songs & Jokes’ culture in the Goans’ cassettes was condemned. It was observed that this is one of the reasons for the decline of tiatr It was also felt that Konkani associations should work in ensuring quality art, as associations need not be commercial.


Tribute to Late Alfred Rose:

GRAF also with the collaboration of Konkani Bhasha Mandal organised a condolence meeting on be half of late Konkani theatre artist Alfred rose at 5 pm in the evening. On be half of KBM the President Mr. Shanbag, secretary Mr. J.B.Moraes and Mr. D'Souza were in the dias. On be half of GRAF President Fausto V. Da Costa, Mr. Kasmiro D'Mello and Mr. Joe Rose were on the dias. The wife of Late Alfred Rose Mrs Rita Rose too was on the dias. Mr. J.B.Moraes spoke on Late Alfred Rose by giving the example of his song we all are one (Ami Sogle Ek) and he explained how he made involved the Mangalorean artists in his programmes. Mr. Casmir D'Mello said the late Alfred rose has left behind us his treasure through his songs and cassettes. Mr. Joe Rose explained the streanght, zeal and enthusiasm of Late Alfred Rose and narrated his talents as a writer, director, singer, musician, actor and a singer. Not only this he too could act the humourous characters very effectively.

Because he was staying out of Goa, the goan government did not recognised his talent he complained. We all condemn this attitude of the government of Goa he said. But he was satisfied with the news that the Goan government is planning to give him a special award atleast after his death. In the begining Mr. Gable D'Souza sang a song in honour of Late Alfred Rose. Miss Rita gave vote of thanks. The session ended after the whole crowd kept quiet for a minute in honour of Late Alfred Rose.


Alfred Rose Special:

The Nov-Dec.'03 issue of the Konkani-English bi-monthly The Goan Review dedicated to the memory of late Alfred Rose hits the news stands.

Besides the regular features, it carries a special feature on late Alfred Rose, Blessed Mother Teresa and Konkani Literature.

Annual subscription Rs. 125/- in India and Rs. 350/- abroad. Contact: The Goan Review, 14 Nafees Chambers, 121/123 Mody street, Fort, Mumbai - 1. Tel.: 22630139. Mr. Fausto V. Da Costa is the managing editor of this magazine.


- Ancy Paladka & Fausto V. D'Costa