Konkani Bhasha Mandal (KBM) recently
organised a special entertainment programme, Petul, oriented towards children,
at Ravindra Bhavan Margao, Fatorda. Parents, children and the elderly thronged to
the venue to attend the event for children from pre primary and primary
section.
After the immense success of Petul last
year, this year’s Petul saw the release of ‘Shani Masti 3’, a CD of children’s
songs, three CDs of children’s rhymes, 20 different storybooks and two books of
children’s rhymes. Last year, KBM had released ‘Shani Masti 2’, the children’s
quarterly magazine ‘Chirput’, a book of nursery rhymes for KG 1, titled,
‘Mankulyanchi kavana’, English-Konkani and Konkani-Konkani primer, ‘Chitrabodh’
and charts (takate).
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The programme organised in association with
Ravindra Bhavan Margao was dedicated to Late Dr Manoharrai Sardesai, whose
immense contribution to children’s literature in Konkani was loved by all
children. The 3 CDs of nursery rhymes have almost 150 songs sung by more than
100 young singers from different schools across Goa.
The present collection of stories that
have emerged from a number of writing workshops include stories based on
experiences of young children in the context of Goa, fantasy stories, twists in
the tale, cultural celebration stories and such.
During the function, 6 institutes from
different parts of Goa, namely Sarvodaya School, Curchorem, Gurukul Academy,
Ponda, Vidya Bhuvan Konkani Shala, Margao, Holy Rosary Convent, Nuvem,
Manovikas English School, Margao and Nritya Sankul, Margao performed on
specially choreographed songs from ‘Shani Masti 3’ at the function.
“It was a one-of-a-kind experience. The
hall was packed and the nursery rhymes in particular stood out. The lyrics were
rich in our Goan culture and simple enough that our children and everyone could
relate to as they used words that are spoken at home,” said hotelier Serafin
Cota from Carmona.
KBM through its multiple events in the
state has realised that a huge demand for Konkani material exists. The sales of
this material, music CD and ‘Chirput’ magazine has shown that people are
eagerly seeking material in Konkani for children that is well produced and
attractively priced. In the absence of this, they reach for material in English
or other languages and this does not help children to grow in Konkani.
“Music is the most powerful medium to
preserve language,” said Meena Chandawarkar while speaking on the occasion. She
appreciated the efforts by KBM to produce educational literature for children.
KBM has translated 50 titles of
children’s stories from English and Hindi into Konkani, which will be soon
released along with more original storybooks in Konkani. “A team of dedicated
writers and illustrators are working continuously to develop this literature,”
said Chetan Acharya, KBM President.
The release ceremony was attended by industrialist
Yatish Dhempo, Vice Chairman of Smartlink Nitin Kunkolienkar, Educationist
Meena Chandawarkar from Pune, Chairman of Goa Board of Secondary and Higher
Secondary Education J R Rebello, Chairman of Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan Anil
Powar, Founder of Manovikas Education Society Theresa Almeida, Chairman of
Sarvodaya Education Society Nandan Kudchadkar, industrialist and social worker
Moulana Ibrahim, Dr Nandita D’Souza of Sethu and Anoop Priolkar of Lokvishwas
Pratishthan.
