x-posted from my blog.
A few years back while visiting Kumta I went back to the little shack where I had earlier seen young women making papad (writeup and pics). I was glad to see that this little cinderblock workshop was still active, and women came together to make papad and other eatables to sell in local stores. I like the light in this pic.

• Kumta: Jewel of the Konkan
• Kumta: Field of Dreams
• Kumta: School Kids
• Weaving Jaaii flowers in Honavar.
• Shanbhag School Kumta
• All posts in Kumta Category

KONKANI MOVIE “UJWAADU” SHEDDING LIGHT on GSB CULTURE.

It was after a gap of 35 years that a film in Konkani GSB dialect has been produced in the country. The movie hit the screen in Mangalore on Friday,writes Sandhya C D’Souza

When many speak about the need to keep Konkani culture alive, Srinivas Rao S popularly known as Kasragod Chinna has proved this in his actions by directing the Konkani film ‘Ujwaadu’ (Light). The film in pure Gowd Saraswath Brahmin (GSB) Konkani is the third film in this dialect to hit the screens after a gap of 35 years.

“Konkani is my mother tongue and being an actor and filmmaker I felt an urge to make a Konkani film,” says Chinna to City Herald.

The movie portrays Konkani culture in several aspects. The opening song of the movie shows 18 Kuladaivas of the Konkani communities. Many of the GSB’s originally hail from Goa and many of the temples are situated there. “I have visited all the temples and filmed the Kuladaivas in a single day,” says Chinna and adds that more than 95 artistes have acted in his film making it more unique.

“I have upheld moral values in my film. The film got a ‘U’ certificate without even a single scene being censored,” he says.

Speaking about the title ‘Ujwaadu, Light of the future’, he says that Ujwaadu happens to be the name of an old age home in the movie. I wanted to show the importance of the aged in the community as they are the ones who guide the younger generations. They are the real light of the future, he says.

The film was shot in 18 days and the entire production process was completed in 100 days. The film was mostly shot in Karkala and places around. “I had only Rs 45 lakh as the movie’s budget but I have never compromised on quality. The movie was shot in superior 35 mm mode on celluloid, says Chinna.

“Though the schedule of the movie shooting was tight, I felt like I was with family. All the actors were very supportive and not one has taken remuneration from me for the movie,” he says. Speaking about something that touched him in the filming process, Chinna says that the film protagonist Neethu’s father expired the day she came to shoot for the movie. “Our entire crew was shocked and we decided to postpone the shooting. But Neethu knew that we had a limited budget and she immediately returned to the shooting after she attended the final rites. This is something that touched us all,” he says.

Speaking to City Herald, Neethu says that Konkani is her mother tongue and this added as an advantage. “I play the role of Shanteri an orphan girl who falls in love with her teacher Ganapathy master. Shanteri is very traditional and always takes advice from her elders,” she says.

“I lost my father while I was shooting for the film. But the entire crew looked after me like family. They gave me moral support. I have great respect for Chinna sir and that is one reason I returned to the shooting as I knew he had a very tight budget,” she says.

Ujwaadu male lead Shivadwaj said that he was helping Chinna in technical aspects and was shocked when Chinna asked him to play the male lead. Not knowing fluent Konkani was the biggest challenge. Though my voice is dubbed, I had to learn the Konkani dialogues for lip syncing, he says.

The film has four songs composed by Jayanth Kaikini and Achyuthdasa. “I want my movie to reach every household. Hence, I have given over 25,000 audio CD’s for free. I want each and every Konkani to sing these songs hence, I have included Karaoke tracks in the audio CD. Very soon I am planning to hold a singing competition,” says Chinna.

The movie is produced by Anuradha Padiyar and K J Dhananjay. Gopalakrishna Pai has written the script and dialogues for the movie, says Chinna.

Speaking on limitations, Chinna says that he feels he could still improvise if he had more time and budget. “I have made the movie for people rather than awards. If people come to watch the film it is my biggest award,” concludes Chinna. The film is presently being featured at Big Cinemas and will soon hit other theatres.

Saturday, October 29, 2011
3:30 pm to 11 pm
The Community House
415 West Eight Street
Hinsdale, IL 60521

We invite you and your family to the annual Konkani Diwali celebration for a fun filled evening with Aarti, Potluck Konkani Dinner and Entertainment.

Those wishing to participate in the cultural program should submit their names and program details to Geetha Prabhu by November 9th, 2011.

Namaskaru,

Some of you may have already heard this through the grape vine, Khabbar or tweets. Yes, the next Konkani Sammelan is coming back to its birthplace in New Jersey after 16 years and we have the privilege to celebrate sweet sixteen of the Sammelan! It will be hosted at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Edison, NJ from June 29-July 1, 2012 (Fri-Sun). Please mark your calendars and save the dates.

The North East region was finalized for hosting the 2012 Konkani Sammelan only in May 2011. Since then, we have raced against time to put together a dedicated and motivated team of volunteers for organizing this mega event. The team’s vision is to host the best Konkani Sammelan to date and provide all attendees with outstanding cultural and entertainment programs, seminars, authentic and sumptuous Konkani food, social and professional networking opportunities, youth and children events.

Edison, NJ is at the heart of Indian and Konkani community in the North East. It is approximately 25 miles south west of New York City. The area is serviced by three major airports; the nearest airport being Newark, NJ (airport code EWR). The NJ Convention Center is an ideal place for holding the Sammelan, as it is NJ’s largest private venue with modern facilities to host big entertainment programs, meetings, vendor booths, and has a huge dining area. We have negotiated exclusive discounted rates with Sheraton and Hilton Garden hotels in Edison, which are near the Convention Center. Details on hotels in the vicinity, room rates, and how to make hotel reservations will be published on our website.

The theme for our Konkani Sammelan 2012, very aptly, is: “Connecting Konkanis, Heart to Heart, Home away from Home”. The various Konkani associations in North America and events like the biennial Konkani Sammelan are indeed catalysts for us to connect with our fellow Konkanis, culture, traditions, language and of course to enjoy our food. For our children and the youth growing up in North America, and also for adults and seniors, the Sammelan promises to be a great cultural experience and retreat, home away from home. We are aspiring for and expecting around 2000 Konkanis under one roof for 3 days in this upcoming Sammelan. This in itself should make us all Konkanis very proud!

In 2012, as July 4th holiday in the US falls on Wednesday, we decided to hold the Sammelan on the earlier weekend, as this would give out-of-town attendees chance to take advantage of the short week ahead for extended vacation with friends and relatives or touring the incredible North East region. More information on nearby sight-seeing areas and tourist attractions will be published on our website.

The excitement is in the air. The volunteers are putting in countless hours. We hope that the attendees and sponsors will respond positively in huge numbers. Details on Registration Fee for Sammelan are listed on our website. We had thorough deliberations for setting an appropriate pricing structure. The registration fee covers full scrumptious breakfast, meals and snacks during the entire Sammelan period for 2 and half days. It also includes admission to all the cultural and entertainment programs, seminars and most of the other events held at the Sammelan. There is an early bird discounted pricing till Dec 31, 2011. So, please register as soon as possible through our website www.konkani2012.org. Besides providing discounted price to you, this would also help us tremendously for planning purposes. Please bookmark and check our website regularly for Sammelan updates. You may reach us at sammelan@konkani2012.org with questions, concerns and suggestions regarding Konkani Sammelan 2012.

We request you to be our ambassadors in informing your nearest and dearest from North America and around the world about this event. We look forward for your continued participation and support. We will open our hearts and welcome you to the Konkani Sammelan 2012 and endeavor to make it an absolutely fabulous and memorable experience.

Devu Baren Karo,
Konkani Sammelan 2012 – Organizing Committee

Fast forward onto adult experiences. At my female cousin’s wedding in California over a decade ago, the priest, a software engineer (moonlighting as a Bhatmam on weekends) went that extra mile to explain in detail the significance of every ritual during the ceremony. During the kanyadaan (giving away of the bride), I vividly recall myself and a few other ladies being moved to the point of weeping; partially reliving our own bridal angst but more importantly, speaking from a personal perspective, understanding in simple layman’s language what everything really signified.

A somber and interesting function, Punarprathistapan (resurrection) of the Moolnaga was held in our native place, Bantwal early last year. The Moolnaga is a series of Nagas (serpents) carved on black stones as seen in our traditional temples. Some hoodless Naga carvings found in the wilderness of Bantwal, led to superstitions of invoking negative spirits. The Mallya Moolnaga apparently was lost/overlooked, for several generations and excavated after much efforts three years ago. Certain rituals and poojas that are supposed to be performed regularly connected with Moolnaga had been neglected for several decades. The property where the Nagas nestled ended up with the government who in turn gave it to some landless laborers. Wild shrubs and foliage sprung around and slaughter of animals and liquor consumption on the sacred site by the laborers is believed to have angered the Moolnaga, leading to several Nagadoshas (sins of omission) which affected many in the extended Mallya clan.

Having ascertained from spiritual leaders of the Mahalsa temple in Goa–the ruling deity of the Mallyas, including the Swamijis, that the afflictions and problems in some of the Mallya clan was due to the lost and angered Moolnaga, the search for the authentic Moolnaga was undertaken. Once located, the labourers were persuaded to sell the land in order to build a small temple around the Naga deities, and all hoodless carvings were thus restored and resurrected. As for the congregation, well, there was solace in the belief that the serpents had been appeased and the hope that future generations would not have to face the wrath that their forefathers did.

Pictures of the Naga pratishtha provided by Deepti & Vivek Mallya, Boisar, Maharashtra
The white murthys are the newly carved ones, while the grey ones are the original excavated nagas.
Click to view slideshow.

Date: Saturday, April 9, 2011, 3:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Venue: Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple
1145 W. Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL

For more details and to RSVP, please send email to: shobhasbasti@yahoo.com

Mandd Sobhan, a Konkani cultural organisation in the city, had organised the programme as part of a series of events during the 25-day First World Konkani Cultural Convention which is under way here.

The President said the colour and flavour of a language lay is in its literature. It is a platform to express ideas and thoughts, thus giving to language an emotional appeal and a moral and social standing.

“Literature has a social responsibility. It can have an inspirational influence when it highlights issues which make our youth conscious about the values nurtured continuously by our civilisation,” she said.

Ms. Patil said that literature could be an instrument of bringing harmony to society and strengthening national unity. “I hope that Konkani writers can contribute to the national integration process as well as to eradicate social evils, by creating awareness among people through their writings,” she said.

Above two pics are from here.

The President said as an enlightened community, the Konkani people were among the first to recognise the importance of education. They set up schools and educational institutions and showed special interest in educating their family members. She said that Konkani people who had always been peace-loving had a rich and traditional culture. They were hard working and enterprising. Konkanis actively participated in the freedom movement and after Independence contributed immensely to political, economic and social life of the country.

They formed one of the most diverse denominations in the country with many community identities and include Hindus, Christians and Muslims. Yet, they were bound by the common Konkani language.

MANGALORE: President Pratibha Patil will be the chief guest at the Vishwa Konkani Ekta Divas (World Konkani Unity Day) being organized as part of the maiden Vishw Konkani Sanskrutik Mahamell ( First World Konkani Cultural Convention) here on December 9. The convention per se featuring over 1,500 artists from 75 troupes from around the world will be held at Kalaangann, Shaktinagar near here from November 25.

Eric Ozario, gurkaar of Mandd Sobhann, the premier Konkani cultural organization told reporters here on Tuesday that the convention will be spread over a period of 25 days and end on December 19. It will showcase to the world, the beauty and variety of Konkani culture and strive to enhance the ‘swabhimaan’ of every Konkani.

On Saturday, November 27th, 2010, the American Midwest Konkani Association (AMKA) celebrated “Raupya Mahotsav” (Silver anniversary celebrations).

The event held in a grand banquet hall tastefully decorated by AMKA’s own members, set the ambience and mood for the events to follow. It was a glorious event showcasing the awe-inspiring talents of AMKA members. Kudos to the AMKA-25 organizers and the vast army of volunteers on a wonderful event!

In this festive season of giving thanks and counting blessings, it was most heartening to note that the foundation laid down by the visionaries who founded AMKA is being carried onward and forward into the 21st century by able and willing younger generations.

The spectacular opening ceremony paid homage not only to AMKA’s 25 glorious years of promoting our precious heritage, but also to the fair city of Chicago that we call home. In welcoming the audience, the opening speakers recounted highlights of AMKA’s history in “Panch-vees varsaan khabbari”.

The festivities began with a video montage of past 25 years of AMKA functions and performances – giving the audience a sense for how the organization (and its members) has grown. Dazzling dances, from graceful Bharata Natyam to energetic Bhangra to skillful Bollywood moves, kept the audience enthralled. Humorous plays, a colorful fashion show featuring multi generations, a karaoke competition and a game show challenging entire audience’s knowledge of Konkani language, history and culture called “Tumka gottas ve?” provided a full spectrum of entertainment for the evening. Enthusiastic participation of AMKA members from every stage of life showcased the continued involvement from generations to come for many more years. Featured artist Samarth Nagarkar, held the audience spell-bound with his masterful singing.

The community honored the founders of AMKA and tireless services of key members. As part of the celebration, each AMKA family also received a memorable souvenir and a 25-recipes booklet. After the closing ceremonies, a sumptuous dinner was served. The best part of this gala celebration was meeting friends, catching up on “panchaytika” and playing with the tiniest and cutest AMKA members. The celebration continued into the night with almost all of the 190 attendees dancing to the energetic and vibrant tunes of home-grown DJ. When AMKA “got the choice to sit it out or dance, AMKA danced”!

AMKA has plenty to celebrate. Together with its non-profit parent association AKA (American Konkani Association), AMKA is considered one of the oldest and most inclusive Konkani associations in North America and has been a pioneer in many ways. With the backing of these associations, the Chicagoland Konkanis were the first to: enact a full-length Konkani play, publish two community cookbooks and award scholarships.

May AMKA continue to prosper and nurture new generations of Konkanis for years to come!

[Note: No names have been mentioned in this article for there are too many to name and not wanting to inadvertently leave out any.]