Southern States
-
Karnataka
An odyssey to unveil facets of Konkani culture
By Our Staff Correspondent
MANGALORE, DEC. 2. The first complete cultural centre in Dakshina Kannada District, Kalaangann, was inaugurated here today amid a host of cultural events performed by artistes from the Konkan and North Malabar coast. Mr. Naseeruddin Shah, well-known theatre and cine artiste, inaugurated it by placing a tiara on the forehead of Konkani Sanskriti Matha.
The inauguration of Kalaangann symbolises the beginning of an odyssey to unveil the hidden cultural characteristics of Konkanis and to rejuvenate the cultural heritage of Konkani. The Kalaangann has been built amidst the serene surroundings of Makale in Shaktinagar on the outskirts of Mangalore. It has an amphitheatre named after Noreen Ronald Mendonca; an indoor auditorium built in the memory of Gracy Naik Bandodkar; a talent school, which will impart non-formal training to children to foster and promote their talents; and a heritage museum to house artefacts, equipment, costumes and implements used by various sub-sects of the Konkani community. A library and a recording studio also feature in the facilities available.
Other dignitaries who participated in the function included Mr. M.Veerappa Moily, former Chief Minister, Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D'Souza, Bishop of Mangalore, Mr. Uday Bhembre, President of Goa Konkani Academy, Msgr. Alexander F.D'Souza President of the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, and Mr. R. Nagesh, President of the Karnataka Nataka Academy. All the speakers stressed the need for the Konkani community that is spread out from Rathnagiri to Kochi to unify to help preserve and rejuvenate their vibrant culture, music, art, and folk and performing arts.
Mr. Veerappa Moily said this was, perhaps, a giant step towards unifying and documenting Konkani art, music, theatre, and folk traditions in one place.
The inauguration was embellished with various Konkani folk songs and dances, and some very rare tribal dances including the Gumtam dance by the Kudbi community (a sub-sect of Konkanis), "Thonyan", a dance of the Kharvi Konkanis (fishermen), the Mandd Sobhann dance by Sidhis (tribal people having links with Africa), a Christian Ghumtam song performed by Christian landlords, and the Mando courting dance performed by Kepechim Kirnam from Goa.
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Southern States
|
