MARGAO
The Global Romi Lipi Abhiyan (GRLA) has said the national recognition of Tiatr as an element of India’s intangible cultural heritage has also raised a fundamental question for the Government of Goa: If Tiatr, written and performed predominantly in Romi Konkani, is recognised at the national level as an important part of India’s cultural heritage, why is Romi Konkani still denied equal status under Goa’s Official Language Act?
GRLA president Kennedy Afonso congratulated the Tiatr Academy of Goa and the entire Tiatr fraternity on securing national recognition for Tiatr as an element of India’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
“This is a proud moment for Goa and a well-deserved recognition of the generations of tiatrists who have preserved this vibrant tradition, predominantly through Romi Konkani. However, this national recognition also raises a fundamental question for the Government of Goa: If Tiatr, written and performed predominantly in Romi Konkani, is recognised at the national level as an important part of India’s cultural heritage, why is Romi Konkani still denied equal status under Goa’s Official Language Act?”
He added: “And if Romi Konkani is recognised as an important vehicle of Goa’s cultural heritage, why are children still denied the opportunity to study Romi Konkani in schools?”
Afonso said GRLA believed there was no justification for this contradiction. The Government must recognise that Romi Konkani is an integral part of Goa’s linguistic and cultural identity.
“Our demand is not against Devanagari Konkani. We respect all forms and scripts of Konkani. We simply demand equal recognition and equal opportunity. The Government should therefore amend the Official Language Act to give Romi Konkani equal status and allow its teaching in Goa’s schools,” he said, adding that the national recognition of Tiatr had proved the cultural importance of Romi Konkani. “It is now time for the Government of Goa to recognise the same reality in its language policy.”
