‘Church has played pivotal role in Konkani literature’

PORVORIM

Editor of Gulab magazine Fausto V. Da Costa said the Church has played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting Konkani language and culture.

He was speaking at Porvorim as chief guest at the function organised by the Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr (TSKK) to present Puroskars to writers for their exemplary work in the field of Konkani literature. Fr Pedro Rodrigues, SJ, the Provincial Superior of the Jesuit Province of Goa, was the guest of honour.

In his speech, Da Costa, said the fact that four of the six awardees were priests and religious, highlighted the pivotal role played by the Church. He stated that if Konkani in the Roman script continues in Goa, the first credit goes to the Church.

Emphasising the inseparable link between Konkani and Goan identity, he appealed to the audience to be proud of their language.

Briefly tracing Church’s contribution to Romi Konkani across generations, from Fr Thomas Stephens to this day, he called for a serious academic engagement on the history of Konkani in the Roman Script.

Bro. Eusebio V. Miranda, SFX, the long-time editor of Vauradeancho Ixtt, was awarded the Fr Antonio Pereira Konkani Purskar for rendering service to the Konkani language and culture.

The award was presented at the hands of the chief guest of the function Mr. Fausto V. Da Costa an eminent journalist and editor of Gulab magazine.

Awards were also presented to Edvin Fernandes (Dr Jack Sequeira Konknni Puroskar), Fr Milagres Dias (Maria Afonso Konknni Puroskar), Tancia Pires (Valerio Carvalho Konknni Puroskar), Fr Gabriel Coutinho, (Fr Casimiro D’ Mello Konknni Puroskar), and Fr Eusebio Gomes, SFX (The Martir Floriano Vaz Konknni Puroskar) for his book, ‘Satvik Vichearanchi ek Ganthon’.

Fr Pedro Rodrigues, SJ, presented scholarships for a few deserving and promising students who pursued their school curriculum with Konkani as a subject of choice. These scholarships are instituted by some well-wishers of TSKK.

Fr. Pedro Rodrigues, SJ the guest of honour appealed to the lovers of Konkani to support the activities of TSKK and contribute towards promoting and preserving Konkani.

On this occasion, the chief guest released two books. The first included the 28th edition of SOD, the TSKK’s Annual Research Journal, while the second book was on the life of Fr Thomas Stephens, SJ—the first British Jesuit in India and a great Konkani scholar, after whom the TSKK is being named. This book is based on the original Marathi text by Dr Cecilia Carvalho, titled, ‘Olivla Logoddlim Tullxichi Pane’, which was translated in Devnagari Konkani by Dr Pandurang Phaldesai and now transliterated in Romi Konkani by Ashok Chodankar.

Earlier, the ceremony began with the prayer dance by the Babyland Kindergarten children, Porvorim. A short musical performance—a repertoire of six Konkani Cantaram, set the mood for the ceremony. The performances comprised of two duets and four solos sung by Venancia Lobo, Susana Sampayo, Agnelo Fernandes, Edgar D’Souza, Brendan Fernandes and Stephen Sampayo.

TSKK Director Dr Pandurang Phaldesai welcomed the guests and members of the audience, while Fr Kelwin Monteiro, SJ, the administrator and secretary-cum-treasurer of TSKK, proposed the vote of thanks. Fr Ave Maria Afonso and Dr Janet Fernandes were the Masters of the Ceremony for the evening.