After the basic alphabet, we are more warmly introduced to a
language through poetry and song as these lighter elements help us get better
acquainted with the language, before the more serious prose pops up. This is
probably why we tend to never forget the nursery rhymes of our school days;
things with rhythm have a more lasting impact on our memory. Not many may know
that the Konkani poems and nursery rhymes that we learnt in school were written
by noted Konkani writers and poets and it was the Konkani Bhasha Mandal that
presented it to the students through the syllabus.
The Konkani Bhasha Mandal has been diligently laying the
foundation of our knowledge of and love for Konkani and its latest initiative
is another step in this direction. They recently invited lyrics for their
upcoming CD of children’s songs, ‘Shani Masti 3’. After the immense success of
‘Shani Masti 1’ and ‘Shani Masti 2’, the Mandal will soon coming out with its
third CD of children’s songs. Songs by both freshers as well as veteran writers
are welcome. “Last year, we felt that very few people were writing songs for
children and more people should be encouraged to compose songs. The CD will comprise
of 9-10 songs but anyone can send in multiple entries. The songs should be
written keeping in mind the psychology of the children and should envisage new
ideas. We are trying to focus on positivity and happiness for children through
the songs,” says Chetan Acharya, President of Konkani Bhasha Mandal about the
committee’s mission for children.
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Though the committee has over 2500 members with 24 executive
committee members, there will be a special panel to go through the lyrics sent
in by the writers. “The songs are for children in the primary section from
Class I to IV and can be written by anyone, even a child. Language is also not
an issue as we accept lyrics written in Romi as well as Devanagri script. The
panel will comprise of members who have attended any of the previous workshops
organised by Konkani Bhasha Mandal, especially the workshops by Usha Sharma of
NCERT,” adds Chetan. The panel will also include members like child
psychologist Nandita D’Souza and Bookworm proprietor Sujata Noronha.
The previous edition of the CDs had 3600 copies of the first
CD and 1200 copies of the second CD. Besides CDs, the literature for children
includes ‘Chirput’, a Konkani quarterly magazine for children, ‘Mannkulyanchi
Kavana’, a book of Konkani nursery rhymes for KG 1, and English-Konkani and
Konkani-Konkani primer, ‘Chitrabodh’ and ‘Petul’. The CDs and books are
available at select stores in every taluka of Goa.
This CD is part of the Mandal’s continuous efforts to give
new and innovative material to the children in their mother tongue. “We will be
changing the current syllabus as it is outdated. These lyrics will be added to
the new syllabus,” says Chetan. The committee also organises annual workshops
on grammar and children’s literature and has also published books especially
related to children’s literature.
Chetan is the 17th President in the history of the committee
which was founded with the aim of promoting Konkani literature and education.
The Konkani Bhasha Mandal was founded on September 30, 1962 by then President
Pedru Correia Afonso.
Lyrics for ‘Shani Masti 3’ should be sent to Konkani Bhavan,
Shankar Bhandari Marg, Vidyanagar, Margao or emailed to
[email protected]
