Mangalore: Konkani Nirantari - Not Just a Matter of Guinness Record
by Walter Nandalike - Editor - in -Chief
Jan 27, 2008
The day, January 27, 2008 will be written in golden letters in the annals of
history as a day when Konkani made its presence felt globally like never
before. A language that was considered under the 8th schedule of the
Constitution of India little more than a decade and half ago now enjoys its
place in the world's most prestigious Guinness Book of Records as India's 974th
entry.
An event of such magnitude that a common person cannot even dare to dream of
has blossomed in to reality under 'Mannd Sobhann' the only Konkani cultural
group of the nation. No doubt, the credit goes to the entire team which worked
day and night and to everyone else involved in the project right from singers
to sweepers.
Undoubtedly, this has been one of the biggest Konkani event Mangaloreans have
ever witnessed. Despite being far from the venue, the colourful pictures that
portray the smiles on every face, the jubilant atmosphere and the buoyant mood
of the people speak volumes about how much we love our mother-tongue and the
camaraderie we share amongst us. This could be a glorious beginning to enhance
our love for our own language and spread its fragrance around the world.
The messages we have received at Daijiworld through emails and as feedback to
our coverage and videos are simply amazing and encouraging. This shows the
concern of true 'Konkan' who loves his mother-tongue so much despite being
miles away from home.
The goal has been achieved...now what next?
This was the most common question asked by many.
Daijiworld has been quite actively involved in this project right from the
beginning and has been the "Official Web Portal" of the event. This is indeed a
proud moment for the entire Daijiworld team and the readers, because history
has been rewritten and we feel a part of it.
During the campaign quite a few readers anonymously sent us mails and feedback
asking
"Do we need this record for Konkani?".
"Cant we use the amount spent on this event for some charity work?"
"Why should one beg people for an event while we will gain nothing
(financially) in return"
"Assume the record is created...what next?",
"What if another organization breaks the record in a few days by singing for 41
hours?"
...the questions were in large numbers and most of them expressed genuine
concerns.
But now that the event has culminated on a successful note, we are quite sure
many of the doubts have been laid to rest.
It is true that popularity of Konkani was on the verge of decline in many parts
of the coastal regions of India. To revive and to show the real strength of our
mother tongue one such effort was very much required. Look at the publicity the
event generated, specially for the word 'Konkani'. In Mangalore both print and
electronic media have given unprecedented importance to the event and
highlighted the achievement on a big scale.
There could not have been a better marketing tool for Konkani than this novel
idea of attempting to enter the Guinness world records.
Look at the unity created among the Konkani-speaking buffs whether from
Mangalore, Goa, Kerala or any other region where Konkani is spoken.
But the event was important not just from the Konkani point of view, but also
Mangalore as a whole. Despite being in Konkani, the event united people from
all creeds and languages who gathered at Kalaangann to witness a world record
being beaten. The event traversed boundaries of language and regions; more
importantly, it put Mangalore on the global map. January 27, 2008 became a day
every Mangalorean would remember for generations and feel proud of.
It is heart-warming to see the support the organizers received from Goan
brothers both in terms of moral support and participation. A number of
Daijiworld readers from around the Middle East and the American continent sent
their best wishes praying for the success of the event. More than 1700 singers
performing at one place for 40 hours without a break is indeed a great
achievement and undoubtedly there could not have been a better way to unite so
many artistes on a single platform for the cause of Konkani.
More than the financial gain or loss from this event, it is important that the
venue and the cause attracted hundreds of thousands of people not only from
Mangaore, but also from the entire nation and worldwide. Artistes have shown
tremendous unity for the cause of Konkani. The event has taken Konkani to a
whole new level.
The legends in Konkani always worked towards internationalizing the mother
tongue, and this event will boost the efforts of Konkani activists, be it an
artiste, writer or any Konkani crusader.
We at Daijiworld, would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the
entire 'Nirantari' team on the glorious achievement. May the Konkani flag fly
high forever. May Konkani get much more recognition not only at the national
level but also the world over.
We salute the brains behind this event Eric Ozario, Louis Pinto, Titus Noronha
and the entire Mandd Sobhann team.
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Comments on this article
Alexander Menezes, Karkala / DubaiMonday, January 28, 2008
I liked the Write up written by Walter Nandalike on the Mandd Sobhann team
making it up to the Guinness World Record through a programe of Konkani
Nirantari. As wisely asked by several people on the purpose of this program and
as evidently and diplomatically avoided the pleas for financial help from
Manddsobhann team when they visited our homes in UAE and other Gulf countries.
One must commend the determination, teamwork, hard work that was put in,
through various different ways and selfless efforts of all those involved in
this process of taking Konkani to such a great height. I am sure there must be
a lot of people who did not like this idea and did not support this movement
initiated by Eric Ozario. It is evident that this man had a clear vision and I
could make this out when he first started the process of making Konkani to be
taught in the school couple of years ago. I was very well aware how difficult
and Hercules this task was at that time with a thought of dealing with so many
government departments and a majority of people from other religions.
I was one of them who thought this will not reach anywhere, was among the one
who thought, it was all a political gimmick and this would never materialize in
reality. But I was proved wrong with a sheer determination displayed by this
man( Eric Bab), his love and respect for the Konkani language, his burning
desire to save this Konkani language and its heritage which is vanishing among
us Mangaloerans around the world. Today we boast ourselves NRI's, civilized
human being's because we cross international boundaries and have become
addicted to the Western Culture. We hesitate to talk to our fellow human being
in Konkani and often use English language as a substitute of Konkani for
communication. Today our children are unable to communicate with their grand
parents and hence losing out on the Konkani culture and its heritage.
Comment on this message
Dr Eugene D'Souza, Moodubelle/DombivliMonday, January 28, 2008
Congratulations to 'Mandd Sobhann' for creating Guinnes Record through 'Konkani
Nirantari' programme and daijiworld for making it a worldwide phenomenon.
Comment on this message
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