Mangaluru : Kannada writer Kum. Veerabhadrappa Inaugurated a day-long Konkani literary meet (Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Sammelan) at Scouts and Guide’s School on Saturday, December 20.

Inaugurating the Konkani literary meet, he said Konkani had braved many onslaughts from the Dutch and Portuguese and emerged stronger. Describing it as a language that evoked a sense of pride in its speaker, he said Kannada had borrowed thousands of words from it and had grown richer.

Kannada being a language that easily embraced other languages, it has cherished a history with Konkani dating back to centuries. Konkani speakers on the coast may have been soft by nature, but brave warriors in the Chola and Pallava kingdoms were said to be Konkani speakers and left their areas to be part of wars. Appreciating the tonal quality of the language which was “colourful”, he said Konkani was “music to ears. We are fortunate to have it in Karnataka”.

Konkani Sahitya Academy president Ronald Castelino sought that more importance should be given to Konkani as a medium of instruction and wondered why fewer films were being made in Konkani while Tulu films were being released in large numbers.

Konkani Sahitya Academy pres-ident Ronald Castelino on Saturday said the Karnataka Legislative Council had insulted the language by not encouraging Mangaluru-based MLC Ivan D’Souza to speak in Konkani though it was one of the official languages of the country. He said he had written letters seeking that this should be set right. Mr. D’Souza was told that nobody would be able to understand if he spoke in Konkani and his speech would not be recorded.

Valedictory ceremony:

The bishop of Mangaluru Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza inaugurated the valedictory ceremony by in a unique manner by cutting a vegetable.

Edwin Netto was honoured by the bishop for his contribution to Konkani language and literature.

Awards were also presented on the occasion to Wilson Kateel, Stany Kolangana and Jayashree Naik Ekkambi for literature; Nagesh Anvekar, Kemti Ramachandra Bhat and Subbi Subba Siddhi for culture, Sr Mariette B S, Steven Quadros, Muralidhar Prabhu for education and to Raknno, Naksha-e-Nawayath, Kodiyal Khabar, and Vijay Karnataka for media.

The Academy www.konkaniacademy.org, by e-creator Vincent Mascarenhas, was launched on the occasion.

The 1,008-page novel ‘Unya Bhavadthache’ written by Edwin J.F. D’Souza and a collection of poems ‘Ayeracho Book’ by Andrew L. D’Cunha was released. The academy’s calendar was also released on the occasion.

Smitha Shenoy and Concepta Fernandes of Rosario Konkani Club presented a welcome dance.

Kharvi Pangad Gangolli, Siddi Pangad Ankola, Kudmi Pangad Pakkarne, Gaavli Pangad Yellapur, Dalvi Pangad Shiroor, Naufal Damudi Bhatkal and other groups participated in the procession.

A orchesra by Muralidhar Kamath, dances and folk songs by Kadri Nritya Vidyanilaya and Janapada troupes also held.

Film director Lawrence D’Souza, chairman of Saibeen Complex Abdul Rahman, member of zilla panchayat Melwyn D’Souza, registrar of Konkani Sahitya Academy Devdas Pai, writer and convener of the Academy C G S Taccode, and writer Edwin Netto were present on the dais.