Dear Alvaro, I too have been most perplexed that the more literate Goans have invariably dropped Konkani for English or Portuguese etc. This is particularly true for those resident in Western countries.
We are a very odd people in this respect in literally being ashamed of our mothertongue. While a contributory explanation for this must be the historical period when the Portuguese forbade the use of Konkani, the other more significant reason, in my view, is the tragic bourgeoisification of the Goan psyche towards a Western lifestyle and culture at the expense of Konkani. Even sadder has been our virtual inability to redress this situation which is now made worse by the powerful dominance of English in a globalised world. Notwithstanding much thought on this matter, I am still searching for an adequate intellectual explanation for why mainly 'middleclass' Goans have found it so necessary to discard Konkani as part of our identity. It would therefore be nice to hear views on this topic via the net. Cornel DaCosta ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bosco - Goanet Volunteer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, November 08, 2003 2:13 PM Subject: [Goanet]From Down-Under !! On Fri, 07 Nov 2003 22:44:18 +0000, "Alvaro Peres da Costa" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Dear Frederick It has always been my cherished dream that our Goan associations/clubs [call them what you will] abroad promote much more of activities that are "genuinely" Goan in character. For a person like me [Goa-born and bred] it is sad to see that often the highlights of their activities entail Western-style dances (anniversary balls/Christmas dances and so on) which, then, serve as occasions for the exchange of latest gossip or of comparisons of notes on achievements in the realm of material affluence. I am not necessarily finding fault with the actors on the stage representing the foregoing. A lot of the associations' members have had the minimum to do with Goa and were not even born there, let alone having any reasonable command of the language of their forefathers. The comparative oddity of Goan's associations abroad is that, unlike any other ethnic association, the language in which they transact their activities is a language other than the mother-tongue of their ancestral land. [Not that this does not happen in Goa itself! (Go to any Christian literate persons' wedding in Goa and see how proud they are to raise the toast in firangi language relegating our own to ... )]. There are two Portuguese associations (of which I am a member) here in Sydney and all their dealings are in Portuguese. I have attended functions at the Greek, Dutch and German and Timorese associations/clubs. The language they use is for their activities is their mother-tongue. I think you will know what I mean: Goans are probably unique where the ethnic language, which is commonly the fundamental identifier of an ethnicity, is hardly, if ever, used. So, the Goan-ness that binds them is linked to commonality of a"ethnic" ancestry only. With a view to doing my bit to inject more "Goan-ness" in our Goan Association's activities here in Sydney, I have been continually mulling over opportunities outside the traditional square. As I have been in regular touch with my friend (and Curtorim co-villager) Dr Jos� Pereira and his work, I had this inspiration that perhaps our Association could sponsor one of the works he is co-involved in, so that the Association makes a contribution of an "intellectual" kind - if you know what I mean. With that in mind I recently proposed that our Association monetarily sponsor one of Dr Jos� Pereira's team's work on Song of Goa, to which the Association agreed (to my great joy). With a view to conveying it to you with a request for dissemination, I have had the "media release" below prepared, encapsulating all that can be said at this stage. I would be very grateful for your giving the release the widest and most prominent dissemination. Thanking you, Yours sincerely �lvaro (Alvito) Peres da Costa "Goan association in Australia pioneers sponsorship of book on Goan folk songs At its Annual General Meeting last October, the Goan Overseas Association of New South Wales (GOA N.S.W.) in Australia decided to sponsor the publication of Folk Songs of Goa - Mando-Dulpods and Deknnis. The sponsorship involves financial support of Rs 60,000. It is believed to be the first time ever for a group of Goan diaspora outside India to have availed itself of the proud privilege of supporting such an undertaking. Folk Songs of Goa - Mando-Dulpods and Deknnis is authored by dedicated research scholars, who have been working assiduously for several decades to preserve the riches of the Goan musical tradition and to establish the authentic text and score of Goan art and folk songs. It is an endeavour initiated in 1933 by Maestro Micael Martins of cherished memory, and continued by Dr Jos� Pereira, Professor Emeritus of Theology of Fordham University, New York, and Fr. Antonio da Costa, psychotherapist, ministering to the elderly in Metro Poenix, Arizona, U.S.A. The prospective publisher is Aryan Books International, a Delhi firm that aims to produce books of a format that conforms to international standards of quality. This firm has already published two volumes on the celebrated Goan art song form, the Mando. They are entitled, Song of Goa, vol. 1. Mandos of Yearning, and Song of Goa, vol. 2, Mandos of Union and Lamentation. There will be a complementary volume that will form a trilogy along with the other two. Its title: Song of Goa, vol. 3, Mandos of Events and News [Fobro]. Folk Songs of Goa thus initiates a new series, devoted, not to art songs like the Mando, but to folk songs like the Dulpod and the Deknni. These and other volumes will provide just a glimpse of the opulent treasury of Goan Song. The Goan Overseas Association of New South Wales, Australia, is to be congratulated. It is hoped that its example will be emulated by other such bodies around the world. Younger researchers are encouraged to join in to carry on the work." ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ########################################################################## ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
