With pomp and gusto, dances and song, poetry and cuisine, the rich diversity of the Konkani language and community was on display at the annual ‘Konkani Manyata Divas’ (Konkani Recognition Day) celebrated here on Wednesday.
The day-long series of literary and cultural activities saw participants coming from Kasaragod, Bangalore, Mysore, and the three coastal districts.
With over 23 organisations taking part in the festivities, Roy Castelino, president of the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, said Konkani language was crossing milestones of achievement every year. “While for the first time in the history of the language, four colleges will offer degrees in Konkani; over 1 lakh books and CDs have been sold through the Konkani Mobile Bazaar,” he said.
‘Konkani Manyata Divas’ celebrates the inclusion of Konkani as an official language in the Eighth Schedule of Indian Constitution in 1992. Inaugurating the programme, U.T. Khader, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, recalled the “immense” contribution of the community to the district and the State. “From economic institutions such as tile, cashew and beedi factories, educational institutions and hospitals, the contribution of the community is for all to see here,” he said.
With the academy requesting for an increase in grants, from the current Rs. 65 lakh being allocated annually, Mr. Khader said the matter would be considered.
The celebrations saw cultural processions – with the gaiety of dancers and brass bands in tow – culminate towards Town Hall after starting from eight places in the city: Lalbagh, Bunts Hostel, St. Agnes College, Kankanady, Mangaladevi Temple, Attawar, Badriya College and Kudroli.
