Need research in Konkani culture, says Shyam Benegal DH News Service, Mangalore:
Finally Kalaangann was dedicated to the society and the Konkani speaking public accepted it whole heartedly. Noted film director and Member of Rajya Sabha Shyam Benagal, who incidentally is a Konkan, dedicated the heritage centre promoted by Mandd Sobhann by accepting bricks from representatives of 45 Konkani speaking communities from Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Kerala, using which a symbolic construction of Kalaangann was performed. He also unveiled a model of Kalaangann. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Benegal called for research activities to keep alive the Konkani culture. "Konkani language as well as culture is orally transmitted and hence fast disappearing. There are a number of dialects of Konkani and the culture is as diverse as India. It is difficult to put all of them together. Hence there is a need of extensive research in Konkani to renovate those grandmother stories and cultural aspects that have disappeared in course of time", he explained and added that young people should be involved in research into what aspect of the culture they know. He appreciated the dedicated crew of Mandd Sobhann lead by Eric Ozario who have been able to achieve quite a lot in a few years. Documentary A documentary on Mandd Sobhann was screened on the occasion. Laser show, fire works and cultural programmes added colour to the evening. Mangalore Bishop Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, Mandd Sobhann President Louis J Pinto, Community leader Ronald Colaco, Roy Castellino, Ronald Mendonca and others were present. Kalaangann was initially inaugurated in 1996 by noted actor Naseeruddin Shah. It took 12 years for the completion of the centre.