PANAJI:The Goa Konkani Akademi has launched an ambitious initiative to compile a comprehensive encyclopedia documenting personalities who have contributed to the growth, preservation and promotion of the Konkani language and culture over the decades.
The project, titled “Konkani Bhasha Sahitya Shilpkar Kosh”, aims to create an official archive of pioneers associated with the Konkani movement, literature, theatre, music, education, journalism, and folk arts.
The project seeks to create an official record of pioneers, activists, writers, artists, researchers, teachers, and performers who have contributed to the growth and promotion of Konkani across various fields.
According to the Akademi, the encyclopedia will help preserve the history of the Konkani language and culture while introducing future generations to personalities who dedicated their lives to the language through literature, folk art, music, cinema, theatre, journalism, education, and social movements.
The Akademi has invited information under several categories, including contributors to the Konkani language movement, literature, theatre and performing arts, research and education, as well as journalism and digital media.
Writers working in all Konkani dialects, Tiatrists, musicians, dancers, folk artists, linguists, dictionary makers, teachers, professors, researchers, and those associated with Konkani newspapers, radio, television, blogs, and social media platforms are eligible to be included in the project.
Contributors have been asked to submit details such as personal information, educational background, published works, performances, contributions to the Konkani language, awards and recognitions, along with a passport-sized photograph.
The Akademi has specified that submissions must be made in Konkani using Devanagari script in UNICODE–INSCRIPT typing format and limited to 500 words.
Individuals may submit their own details, while families and acquaintances of late Konkani pioneers have also been urged to share information about personalities who made notable contributions to the language and culture.
The information can be submitted through an online Google form https://forms.gle/BwSPJaHNdetkbhWX9. The project will be supervised by a special committee of experts appointed by the Goa Konkani Akademi.
The Akademi has appealed to the public to cooperate in creating what it described as a monumental document of Konkani identity and heritage.
