Jai Konkani! ‘Intl Konkani Film Day ’19’ Takes Birth at 25th Anniv of SAC Konkani Dept
Jai Konkani! ‘International Konkani Film Day 2019” Takes Birth at 25th Anniversary of St Aloysius College Konkani Department, which was started in the year 1994, and Konkani was made as second language, FIRST introduced ONLY by SAC.
Mangaluru : One of the prestigious institutions run by St Aloysius College, MamgaluruAC, the Konkani Institute, perhaps stands out for its unique history and the track record it has registered in the development of Konkani language and literature, an Indo-Aryan language spoken by over 5 million people in India and written in five different scripts namely, Romi, Devanagari, Kannada, Perso-Arabic and Malayalam. In the Centenary Year of the College, 1980, a unique gift was given to the Konkanis of Mangalore – ‘The Konkani Institute of St.Aloysius College’,thus giving a new lease of life to Konkani. Fr. Herbert Noronha SJ was the first Director of the Institute.
As the first step towards the propagation, development and preservation of the language an exclusive Konkani library was established (which has now grown to eight thousand plus volumes) and a bi-annual research journal named “Amar Konkani” was started under the expert editorship of (late) VJP Saldanha, a Konkani scholar, researcher and novelist par excellence. The journal was published in two scripts of Konkani, Kannada and Devanagari. This journal has now marched past its Golden Jubilee issue.
The 4th of January 1992 is remembered as a milestone in the history of Konkani Institute. It was on this day that the Department of Konkani Studies was established in the College. Professor M.I. Savadathi, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mangalore gave the Inaugural address and the then Minister of Law, Government of Karnataka who presided made a promise that no stone will be left unturned to give the due status to Konkani. Two years later in 1994, Department of Konkani took birth at St Aloysius College, and today marked the 25th Anniversary of that department. Ms Flora Castelino, who joined as lecturer in the Konkani Dept in 1994, is still continuing with that post, and she was the co-ordinator of today’s programme, “International Konkani Film Day-2019” (An International Level Academic Film Day) to mark the 25th Anniversary of Dept of Konkani at SAC. And this is the FIRST ‘International Konkani Film Day 2019’ born in Mangaluru at St Aloysius College.
Perhaps, every Konkani shared this promise and sentiment for over a period of time and Konkani language rose like a Phoenix to such heights and dimensions that today it is on the VIII Schedule of the Constitution of India. The Department of Konkani, St Aloysius College (Autonomous), in association with Mahamayi Cine Creations, Puttur organized a one-day Workshop on “International Konkani Film Day 2019” on 25th May 2019 at LCRI Hall, SAC, Mangaluru. Rajesh N Fernandes from Honnavar, the Director of Konkani film “Planning Devachem” was the Chief Guest, and Rev. Dr Praveen Martis, SJ, Principal of the College presided over the programme. Other dignitaries on the dais were -Korapady Akshay Nayak- the Director of Mahamayi Cine Creations, Fr Vincent Pinto Sj- Finance Officer at SAC; and Ms Flora Castelino, the coordinator of the programme.
Following a prayer song invoking God’s blessings by the Choir, the welcome address was delivered by Ms Flora Castelino. Chief guest Fernandes in his short and sweet speech congratulated SAC Konkani Dept and for coming up with the initiative of launching International Konkani Film Day for the FIRST time globally. During this workshop, four stalwarts from Konkani Cinema, namely- Ramesh Kamath, Bengaluru, Richard Castelino, Mangaluru, Ron Rodricks, London, and Sevrino Fernandes, Goa were conferred “Life Time Achievement Award” for their remarkable achievement in the field of Konkani Cinema.
Ramesh Kamath, Bengaluru shared his views and experiences in making of Konkani films, where he said that Konkani producers/directors don’t make money through Konkani films, however, they make Konkani films just for the love of the language, and to promote the culture and traditions of Konkani Community. “Losing is one part, Gaining is another part. Qualification is not important in making films, but knowledge and talents is a must. We need to be proud of our Parents, Nation and our Language” added Kamath. Fr Praveen Martis SJ in his presidential address lauded the efforts put in by the dept of Konkani, and that the College will encourage many more Konkani projects to keep the Konkani language alive and in full form.
Besides this, two Konkani films ‘A Vai Ja Sa’ & ‘Planning Dechem’ were screened and Poster of Konkani Short Film, ‘Urbaa’ by Rajesh Shet was released during the workshop. This short film, apart from adult actors, also feature two young boys- Abhishek (9) and Sarthak (12)- a must see film. Ashok Kasaragod rendered vote of thanks and Neyola Mascarenhas compered the programme. Jai Konkani- Amchi Baas!
