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A Brief History of Konkani Periodicals
- J.B. Moraes
The history of Konkani journalism spans more than a century. The earliest
Konkani journal was not born in Goa as one would expect, but it took birth
in the city of Poona in Maharashtra in the year 1889 and was christened
Udentechem Sallok. It was a bilingual published in Konkani and Portuguese
languages. Its editor was Edward Bruno DSouza. It started as a monthly and
then became a weekly. It closed down after five years.
If we look around the three states of Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra, we
find plenty of such instances. Many enthusiastic Konkani lovers, some
knowledgeable in the art and science of running a periodical, took the
plunge and brought out well planned magazines, journals and newspapers.
Konkani readers gave them a rousing welcome too. These journals provided a
variety of reading material for the general public and survived for quite a
long time. They provided a voice to the Konkani people and many budding
literary talents flowered through the medium of these journals. Some of
these journals have survived to celebrate Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilee.
Unfortunately, the path of Konkani journalism has not been uniformly
smooth. Strewn along the path is a large number of dead journals which had
to suffer early demise. There was no shortage of intelligent, educated and
highly motivated persons as owners and editors of these journals but they
lacked the foresight and the specialised knowledge and most important of
all, sufficient financial backing to sustain the paper in adverse times.
There were hardly any professional journalists. The owners who in most of
the cases were also editors, lacked the vision and the resources to bring
in the latest technique and technology of running a newspaper. Innovation
was hardly evident. There was more of enthusiasm than professionalism. When
the initial enthusiasm and the capital evaporated, the journal died a
natural death. Though many editors tried their best to provide information,
entertainment and knowledge to their readers, yet they had to close down
because of lack of advertisement support. As the number of publications was
large and targetting the same readership, the circulation did not rise as
expected by the publishers.
Another obstacle facing the Konkani newspapers was the multiplicity of
scripts. Three major scripts i.e. Devnagari, Kannada and Roman are used to
write the language. Goan Hindus write in Devnagari, Goan Christians prefer
Roman and Karnataka Konkanies use Kannada script. Thus, the total Konkani
readership is divided into three watertight camps. This greatly hampered
the growth of Konkani journalism. Another handicap was that there was no
standardised orthography even among those journals using the same script.
One language one script is an accepted principle for the healthy
development of any language and its literature. This vexed problem of
multiple scripts still continues even though Devnagari has been accepted as
the official script for Konkani. Now, let me give you a birds eye view of
the 114 years of history of Konkani Jurnalism in Goa, Karnataka and
Maharashtra.
Periodicals in Kannada script
Karnataka
The focal points for Konkani activities in Karnataka and Maharashtra are
the two coastal cities of Mangalore and Bombay respectively. It will not be
an exaggeration to suggest that Konkani journalism in Kannada script leads
the way over others in quality and quantity today. There are several
weeklies, fortnightlies and monthlies flourishing in Mangalore and in
Bombay. The birth of Konknni Dirvem (Konkani wealth) in 1912 transformed
the Konkani literary scene overnight in Mangalore and heralded the arrival
of several great poets, novelists and short story writers. The
founder-editor of Konknni Dirvem was the great poet Luis Mascarenhas.
Christian Konkanies who were till then fed on a diet of religious
literature in the form of Holy Bible, lives of saints, prayers and hymns,
were delighted to find lay literature which they lapped up to their hearts
content. Though started as a fortnightly, Dirvem soon became a weekly.
After Luis Mascarenhas relinquished editorship in 1917, came Peter John
DSouza who served as editor till 1920 and thereafter the wellknown
advocate and social worker Alex Pais, took the reins of the paper as editor
and managed it effectively from Bombay till its closure in 1940. During the
28 years of Dirvem, Konkani literature saw rapid development particularly
in the genres of novels, short stories and poetry. Even semi educated
farmers awaited each issue of Dirvem with eager aniticipation.
After the Dirvem, came Raknno weekly in 1938 as an organ of the Diocese
of Mangalore. A succession of brilliant priest-editors beginning with
Sylvester Menezes, Alexander DSouza, Mark Waldar, Vincent Menezes, Samuel
Sequeira and the current editor Eric Crasta has trasnformed Raknno as a
literary medium and in the process bringing countless writers into the
limelight. The Souvenir issues brought out by Raknno on the occasions of
its Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilee are cherished and preserved by
Konkani lovers as literary treasures.
Amar Konkani a half-yearly research oriented journal was started in
Mangalore in 1980 by the Konkani Institute of the St. Aloysius College.
Printed in Devangari and Kannada scripts it has made a headway among the
more serious readers, intellectuals, and Konkani students. It has
readership in Goa and Bombay also. Prof. Bennett Pinto, editor of the
journal till December 2002, while in the midst of bringing out a special
issue in honour of Cha.Fra. DeCosta on his 10th Death Anniversary, passed
away suddenly on December 17, 2002.
Kannik a fortnightly from Mangalore started by Raymond Miranda in 1965
has recently come under the editorship of Maurice Dsa and has turnoved
over a new leaf. He has assembled a young team not necessarily experienced
but full of ideas. Kannik has become popular among the youth and those
who seek social change.
Bombay
The late G.M.B. Rodrigues was the first Mangalorean to start a Konkani
Weekly in Kannada script in Bombay in 1948. It was named Sukh-Dukh. He
brought several innovations in the printing of Sukh-Dukh as he had
considerable knowledge in that line. His was a pioneering effort which he
carried out to the best of his ability. He encouraged young poets and
writers. Sukh-Dukh lasted for six years and closed down in 1954. As a
pioneering effort, it deserves a prominent place in the annals of Konkani
journalism.
Poinnari a Weekly, was started in Bombay in 1950 and its first eidtor was
the wellknown novelist V.J.P. Saldanha. Later on, the famous poet and
dramatist Cha. Fra. Decosta became its editor. Under the prompting and
guidance of the then budding labour leader George Fernandes, Cha. Fra came
to be known as the man who championed anti-dowry campaign through
Poinnari. Mithr under the editorship of J.S. Alvares and Poinnari
under the editorship of Cha. Fra., kept the readers entertained for long
spells with lively presentation of their individual view points sometimes
clashing with each other which made the readers eagerly waiting for the
next issue. Poinnari had a woman at the helms in Nellie DCosta who was
editor from 1978 till her death in 2002. The weekly, though celebrated
silver and golden jubilees, fell short of the modern readers expectations
The wellknown novelist and writer J.S. Alvares brought out Mithr a Weekly
in 1953 and Jhelo a Fortnightly in 1956 in Bombay. After some years,
Alvares returned to Mangalore and continued to bring out these periodicals
there. Jhelo was devoted entirely to short stories and serialized novels.
Later on Austin DSouza Prabhu took over these publications but he could
not continue for long and Dolphy Lobo became the new editor. Mithr is now
converted into a Monthly, publishing one mini novel a month. Lobo has
brought out over 150 mini novels so far in this schemewhich was earlier
known as Kurov.
A significant entry into the field was Divo Weekly started in Bombay in
the year 1995. Its founder-editor was J.B. Moraes the wellknown poet and
writer, who along with proprietor Lawrence Coelho laid a sound foundation
to the Weekly with several innovations. One important innovation was the
use of computer technology and illustrations. Till then, photos and
graphics were unheard of in Konkani periodicals. With the result, the
circulation soared in the first year itself. With the concerted efforts of
editor Moraes and Ullas DSouza of Dubai, the Weekly became wellknown in
the Gulf countries. Moraes had to relinquish the editorship in 1998 and
Lawrence Coelho the proprietor /editor.
A trio of editors (A.A. Saldanha, J.B. Moraes and V.M. Fernandes)
experimented on the model of Readers Digest by bringing out a monthly
Konkani journal titled Konkan Daiz in 1958 which contained informative
articles culled from various sources. This experiment was welcomed by
Konkani lovers but the magazine had to be closed down after two years due
to lack of financial support.
After leaving Poinnari in 1959, Cha. Fra. DeCosta started Zaag-maag,
Vishal Konkan, Jivit and Udev one after the other but could not sustain
them for long. His vision, sharp editorial thrust were far beyond the grasp
of ordinary Konkani readers and he found it difficult to pull them to his
view point. He had also difficulty in gathering contributors with similar
thinking. Since 1994, the Catholic Sabha of Mangalore is bringing out
Amcho Sandesh a monthly, as its organ which contains informative articles
of literary value by reputed writers. The famous singer Wilfi Rebimbus
brought out a literary monthly Umallo with the wellknown humour writer
Cyril G. Sequeira as its first editor. After some years Wilfi himself took
over the reins of the paper but he too could not continue for long.
Umallo was finally handed over to Fr. Willie DSilva who brought out one
issue and nothing was heard about it afterwards. Darshan the the organ of
the Karwar Diocese has started about 15 years ago. In 1949, George
Fernandes brought out a monthly Konknni Yuvak but it folded soon
afterwards. Other periodicals of those times were Amchi Mai, Sevak,
Ange, Jezu Rai, Kala Kiran Samajicho Divo, Samajichem Ful
Prakas Uzvad, Amchem Konkan, Maiganv, Bhingari, Dublleancho
Bhav, Sant Ritachi Vordi, Catholic Yvak etc. Some of them are still in
existence. Latest computer technology being easily accessible, a lot of
Parish Bulletins have come up in Mangalore Diocese some of which contain
quality literary content.
Periodicals of Saraswat Community of Karnataka
Saraswat is the oldest magazine of the Saraswat community in Mangalore
started around the same time as Konknni Dirvem. Rashtra Kavi Govinda
Pai used to write for Saraswat. Though it stopped publication in 1941, it
was revived in 1946 under the able leaderhip of Kudpi Jagdish Shennai, the
wellknown humourist.
Panchkadai monthly was started in 1967 in Mangalore. The wellknown
literary figure B.V. Baliga, popularly known as Ballo-mam was its founder
editor for 25 years. The periodical celebrated Silver Jubilee in 1992. It
has a Devnagari Section too. In recent years it has broadened its editorial
policy and has started publishing news and contributions from Christian
community. Panchkadai is now in its 37th year and its current editor is B.
Shantaram Baliga.
Konkani Pradeep was started in Karwar some years ago but soon closed
down. About 15 years ago a young man Suresh Argod started a monthly named
Saraswati Prabha in Hubli. Jai Konkani a monthly was started in
Kundapur in 1994 and its present editor is U.S. Shenoy. Its contributors
include Christians which provides a mixture of different styles of Konkani
Periodicals in Roman script - Goa
Goan Christians who ordinarily use Roman script for Konkani, brought out
several Dailies, Weeklies and Monthlies in Goa and Bombay. In this venture,
their zeal was more apparent than their professionalism. With the result, a
vast majority of these journals had to bite the dust after a short time.
However, some periodicals which were built on a stronger foundation lasted
several years and among them some are existent even today. They had
outstanding editors with a strong will to succeed. They etched their
personalities on their journals.
Some of the more wellknown periodicals of Goa such as Novem Geom started
by Gurunath Kelekar which was taken over by Felicio Cardozo and Dr. F.M.
Rebello sometime later,. Uzvad brought out by Evagrio Jorge,
Vavraddeancho Ixtt and Gulab (With Founder-editor Fr. Freddie J.
daCosta still going strong after 20 years) have survived till today and are
a credit to Konkani journalism of Goa.
Goa Nova a weekly in Konkani/Portuguese/English languages was started by
Satish Alvenkar in 1934 but it did not last long. After that, the Salesian
Order in Goa brought out a weekly Aitarachem Vachop which too closed down
shortly. Felicio Cardozo and Enio Pimenta joined together and brought out
Goencho Saad as a weekly in 1962 and converted it into a daily after one
year which they called Soth. In 1967, Cardozo combined Soth with the
Portuguese daily A Vida and christened it Divtti. He brought together
Christian and Hindu writers through Divtti. Sometime later he discontinued
it and started a weekly named Lok Saad which too had to be discontinued
after one year. Similar fate awaited to Gomant Surio, Goencho Fuddari,
The Blade, Goencho Mog Goenkar and Uzavad.
Planton Faria published a monthly Goencho Awaz in 1980 which later became
Goenchim Kirnnam. Lesser known periodicals like Aitarachem Vachap A
Vanguarda, Lok Saad, Goencho Mog, Goykar, Goenchim Kirnnam
Goenchem Ful did not last long and folded up without mauch fanfare. Fr.
Freddie daCosta, ventured to start a daily Goencho Awaz in 1989 but soon
converted it into a fortnightly and then into a weekly but it died soon..
Periodicals in Roman script - Bombay
At the end of the 19th and in the beginning of the 20th century, some
Konkani-Portuguese bilingual journals were brought out by some enthusiasts.
Portuguese influence was considerably more pronounced than Konkani during
that period. Some of the journals of those times were O Luzo-Konkani
(1891), Sanjechem Noketr (1907) Konkani Bulletin (1932). and Goan
Observer (1933) The last three were all dailies. Sanjechem Noketr was
the first news paper to come out entirely in Konkani. In 1934 Inasio Caitan
Carvalho started Emigrant a Konkani weekly. Soon he converted it into a
daily. Thus, in the beginning of the 20th century, Konkanies showed more
interest in daily newspapers than in literary magazines.
Dor Mhoineachi Rotti monthly was started in Karachi in 1914 by Fr.
Vincent Lobo, Fr. Ludovic Pereira and Fr. Moniz and it became so popular
that it had a circulation of 8000 at one time! Later on, the periodical
moved to Bombay and finally settled down in Goa. Currently Fr. Moreno
DSouza, a wellknown literary figure, is the editor of Rotti.
The Goa Mail was a popular weekly in Bombay for more than 60 years. In
its later years Dr. Simon Fernandes a popular Konkani leader and writer
became its editor and the periodical became more prominent. The Goa Times
was another weekly that catered to the literary tastes of the Goans under
the editorship of Fausto V. daCosta. Both these popular magazines had to be
closed down. But the The Goan Review a Konkani/English bi-monthly started
by da Costa is still going strong in Bombay. There were also periodicals
like Amcho Sounsar (Three founder editors), Chabuk, Azad Goem
Udentechem Noketr, Vavraddi, New Goa Agnus Dei, Goa Express etc.
which had to close down sooner than later.
If we ponder over the 100 years history of Konkani Journalism, we are
struck by the amazing proliferation of periodicals in Roman script. What
was the motivating and driving force that prompted so many Goan Christians
to plunge into this venture and burn their fingers? In the pre-liberation
period of Goa, there were periodicals in Konkani/Portuguese languages or in
Portuguese alone. This could be an indicator of the Portuguese influence on
Konkani journalism. This influence waned in the post-liberation period but
proliferation in Konkani periodicals continued. One motivating force for
the Konkani leaders in Bombay and Goa could be the liberation movement of
Goa energised by the freedom struggle of India in the first half of the
20rth century. The 50 years straggling before and after the liberation,
have been the most productive in terms of Konkani journalism. One thing is
certain. As long as this fervor lasted, Konkani literature and culture were
the beneficiaries.
Periodicals in Devnagari Script - Goa
Periodicals started in Goa in Devnagari script also did not do much better.
But their decline compared to the periodicals in Roman script is on a much
smaller scale. Let us go through the list of magazines started in Goa in
Devnagari script.
Yeshwant Kelekar started Konkan Bharati some years ago in Goa. It had
contributors like Govind Mudras, Suresh Kakodkar, Anil Borkar, Shyam
Verenkar and Uday Bhembre. Suhas Dalal brought out Pormoll which used to
be published only as a Diwali issue once a year. There was a magazine
named Parijat devoted entirely to poetry. It was coming out only at
Diwali. Wellknown poet and dramatist Pundalik Narayan Naik brought out
Ritu a monthly entrily devoted to poetry. Aprt from Goa, poets from
Karnataka, Maharashtra and Kerala too contributed to the magazine. It has
stopped publication now. Ravindra Kelekar brought out Mirg from Wardha.
It was pre-liberation period and Kelekear ceaselessly championed the cause
of Goa through the medium of Mirg. A periodical in Goa named Triveni
under the editorship of Chandrakant Keni came out in three languages viz
Konkani, Marathi and Hindi. Famous Konkani/Marathi poet Bakibab Borkar was
the editor of Projecho Avaz for some time. Another periodical Konknni
brought out only Diwali issues under the editorship of Uday Bhembre.
Another such magazine bringing out only Diwali issues was Chitrangi.
Anand Mangesh Naik started Konkanichem Kullar and managed it for some
years. Kullagar monthly is a literary magazine started in 1980. Hema
Nayak was editor of this journal for some years. A monthly titled Vangddi
is being edited by Prof. Vaman Naik for several years.
Jaag monthly started in Goa 29 years ago is still going strong under the
able editorship of Ravindra Kelekar. Kelekar, a literary giant and a
thinker has managed to keep the standard of Jaag very high throughout its
existence with thought provoking articles, book reviews, essays on Konkani
literature and culture, short stories and serialized novels. This is a
magazine for serious readers. Kelekars editorials cover a wide range of
subjects particularly on Konkani literature and culture and the Goan psyche.
The only Konkani daily in Goa in Devnagari is the Sunaparant. It has
survived under adverse circumstances. Started about 25 years ago. Its long
standing editor is Uday Bhembre. Chandrakant Keni who edits the
Rashtramat Marathi daily has a Konkani section on Sundays.
Two new periodicals have appeared on the Goan literary horizon. Both have
come out in the year 2002. The first is Konknni Samajachem Padbimb a
monthly under the chief editoship of Dilip Borkar. The second is Konkan
Times a quarterly under the editorship of Tukaram Shet.
Periodicals in Devnagari script - Bombay
In stark contrast to the plentiful periodicals in Roman script abounding at
one time, there were hardly any magazine in Devnagari script in Bombay.
Konkani Saad the mouthpiece of the Konkani Bhasha Mandal Bombay came into
existence in 1952 and was closed after two years. The famous poet Manohar
Sardessai was its first editor and after he went back to Goa, Dr. H.O.
Mascarenhas, the wellknown orientalist became the editor. Swapnnantuli
Ranni, Cha. Fra. Decostas first poem broadcast on the All India Radio was
also printed in the first issue of Saad and the poet became instantly
popular. The second periodical to come out in Bombay was Sallik monthly
which came into existence in 1955 and folded up in 1956.
In the year 2000, Konkani Bhasha Mandal Mumbai revived Konknni Saad under
the editorship of J.B. Moraes as a quarterly. It is printed in Kannada,
Devnagari and Roman scripts. Besides being the news bulletin of the Bhasha
Mandal, it also gives coverage to news and articles of the Konkani world.
It is distributed free of cost to KBM members and Konkani associations.
Konkani Journalism in Kerala
A monthly titled Konkan Janata was being published in the city of Kochi
for several years. Konkani Vikas a quarterly news bulletin of Konkani
Bhasha Prachar Sabha of Kochi was brought out with Devnagari script.
Samyukta Gowda Saraswat Sabha of Calicut published a monthly titled
Saraswat Vani in Malayalam script. Divtti an annual magazine was
brought out by P.G. Kamath. It is printed in Davnagari and Malayalam
scripts. R. Ranganath Prabhu of Purakkad is bringing out The Konkani a
handwritten bi-monthly periodical in Malayalam script. He meticulously
writes by his own hand 12 separate copies and distributes them to temples
to be read by devotees.
Conclusion
In the last 15 20 years, the electronic visual media like TV, Video,
Computer, Internet etc. are threatening to substitute print media in our
lives. People are able to get information and entertainment through the
visual media at the pressing of a button. Therefore, the newspapers,
magazines and journals have to fight stiff competition with visual media.
However, latest computer technology has enabled print media to caste out
ancient methods and exploit the benefits of the electronic media. Now the
periodicals can be brought out in various styles, shapes, sizes and in
brilliant colours and most important of all, in quicker time and at
reasonably cheaper cost. If this was not the case, how even parish
bulletins are using computer technology and printed in four colours?
Writers and reporters can send their contributions and news reports through
electronic media sitting at home. Therefore, interaction between print and
electronic media has not only become desirable but essential.
Secondly, the public still prefers print media over the electronic media
for the simple reason that it provides more detailed news with views,
editorials, analysis of important news, fiction, advertisements for
vacancies, contracts, programmes etc. These cannot be easily replaced by
electronic media.
Sadly, even after 114 years of Konkani Journalism, it has failed to attract
professional journalists. The reason is not far to seek. In most cases, the
editor is considered omnipotent, the Mr. Know All of journalism trade.
This attitude has hampered development and growth in journalism. With the
result, the circulation of Konkani newspapers and journals has never risen
beyond a certain point. Though multiplicity of scripts is a major hurdle,
lack of innovation and quality also had a major role. Advertisers are shy
of parting with their cash where they see little or no return for their
capital. They would like thousands of readers to read about their products
and services as in other languages like Marathi or Kannada. But the
proprietors of periodicals complain of lack of financial foundation to go
for desired improvements. This has created a vicious circle from which no
easy way out is visible.
The five objectives of a newspaper are,
Secure own existance
Giving information
Analysis of news
Entertainment and
Public service.
Among these, securing existence of the newspaper is the most important and
takes precedence over the others. Many of our proprietors/editors never
gave a thought to this vital aspect of the newspaper and consequently had
to suffer for it. No structure can survive for long without a strong
foundation.
Looking at the positive side of the issue over the century old history of
the Konkani journalism, we can clearly see the benefits accrued to Konkani
literature. A host of poets, novelists, story writers have have come to the
fore through the medium of Konkani periodicals. If I can secak of
Mangalore, newspapers like Dirvem, Raknno Mithr Kannik and Divo
Poinnari in Bombay have helped many novelists to publish their novels
serially in their papers. Newspapers have brought awareness for the mother
tongue among the Konkanies.
We boast of 50 lakh Konkanies. Even if 10% of these i.e. 5 lakh Konkanies
decide to read our periodicals, it would be a big step forward for Konkani
journalism. At the same time, the periodicals should change with the times
and provide better quality reading matter to the public. If it happens, our
journalism will be completely transformed and I have no doubt that it will
have a long and bright future.
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