Writing for Children in Konkani, a Small Language from the West Coast of India (November 14, 2012) 73:20 http://archive.org/details/ChildrenKonkaniWriting
On Children's Day 2012 (November 14), while schools in Goa were closed for the mid-term break, three books specially written for children. The well-attended programme at the Campal Forest Department's children's park saw kids from across Goa mingle, join in for a magic show, and play the role of book-releasers in a participative function. Speakers on the dias agreed that much needed to be done to promote children's writing in Konkani, particularly in the Roman script. The 25-year-old DKA works to promote Konkani in the Roman script in Goa. Author Fr Pratap Naik, who released a Konkani edition of Aesop's Fables with Shilpa Salvi, recalled how his granddad would tell them stories when he visited home. Stories of Attu and Bittu, Koli-Koli (fox and the vixen), the vagh and shinv (tiger and lion). "That's the way my love for the language grew, and today I work for it throughout," he said. "I myself became a child while doing this work. If you must, study in the English medium. But at home talk in Konkani, read Konkani, and your knowledge will grow over time," he said. The Magical Treasure Chest (Jaduchem Pettul) was described by author Vincy Quadros as a fantasy-novel for children. "Our elders didn't tell us stories. But in primary school, one teacher told us stories each Saturday. And I wondered if I would be able to tell the same someday," Raia-based Quadros said. Today, he writes a lot of short fiction, particularly in the Konkani magazines. He stressed the need for children to learn both Konkani and English, and learn it well. DKA's secretary Jose Salvador Fernandes said the organisation planned to organise book reviewing workshops for children, so that they could get more into books, and also a day-long event for children. "Espi Mai Is Stuck Again" author Anita Pinto, whose work was rendered into a Konkani edition, also spoke. Translator Isidore Dantas praised her well-written work, which proved to be a fast-seller in English earlier. "She has the talent needed to get into a child's mind. Her animal-characters like Masu the Fish, Devika Duck, the Bibto Wagh and Foxy the Dog are something that the children would find endearing," he said. Cartoonist Alexyz has done the illustrations for this book. Fr Feroze Fernandes, editor of the Konkani weekly Ixtt, narrated some episodes from his days in Nagar Haveli, and called on children to work smart and wise. Deputy Conservator Dionisio Carvalho was the guest of honour. DKA president Premanand Lotlikar said the academy planned to take reading to the villages, specially for children, and to build skills there. DKA was also working for the standardisation of Roman script writing, he said, and announced that Dr Pratap Naik's book for learning Konkani in the first standard would be released soon. "Donald Duck" and "Mickky Mouse" were their mischevious best during the event. AUDIO RECORDING: http://archive.org/details/ChildrenKonkaniWriting -- FN +91-832-2409490 or +91-9822122436 [email protected] http://scr.bi/Goa1556Books | http://pinterest.com/fngoa/goa-1556-books/ http://bit.ly/GoaRecordings | http://pinterest.com/fngoa/books-on-goa/
