Karnataka > Konkani Language
Konkani which is an independent language is spoken by more than 15 lakh people mostly spread all over the Western coast of India, of which more than six lakhs are in Karnataka. The Konkani-speaking people were mostly living in Goa but after the annexation of Goa by the Portuguese, many of them fled to Dakshina and Uttara Kannada fearing conversation to Christianity. At present, there is a large concentration of Konkani speaking people in South and North Kanara districts including Udupi district of Karnataka. Even though the Konkani language and culture were supressed by the Portuguese, the people who migrated from Goa managed to help their culture to flourish. In the Konkani literature produced in Karnataka, there are two distinct groups, one produced by the Konkani Hindus and other by their Christian counterparts.
The Hindus Konkani works date back to the famous Bhakti poets and poetesses like Santappayya, Raghavadas, Jogawa and Avadi Bai who composed devotional songs in Konkani. Later the Bhagavad Gita was rendered into Konkani by Bangle Narayana Kamath (1872-1918). Mangesh Ramakrishna Telang, Bolantur Krishna Prabhu, Upendra Pai, Swamy Prabhavananda, N.V.Prabhu and B.V.Baliga wrote excellent poems and plays in Konkani. Scholars like Udyavar Narayanachar, Hattangadi Narayana Rao and M.M.Shanbhag published Konkani grammars. Other notable writers are Sheshagiri Keshava Prabhu, Mundas Devadas Pai, Kodbet Ramaraya Kamati, Bantwal Pundalika Baliga, V.R.Prabhu, S.V.Kamat, M.G.Pai etc.,
Konkani language had also its newspapers and as early as in 1929 a fortnightly periodical by name 'Saraswat' was published from Mangalore. Other journals like 'Navyug', 'Uzvadh', 'Konkana Kinara' and 'Sarvodaya' then followed it. Organisation like the Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Konkani Bhasha Parishad, Institute of Konkani, Konkani Bhashabhimani Samiti, work for the promotion of Konkani. Konkani feature films have also been made.
Konkani language flourished among the Christians of Dakshina Kannada. Konkani tracts and commentaries were prepared on the New Testament, Rev. Rafaelle Pascetti and Rev. Fransesco Saverio da Santa Anna were pioneers who studied Konkani. The Jesuists who arrived and set up institutions like St. Joseph Seminary, St. Aloysius College, Fr. Muhller's Hospital and Codailbail press gave a fillip to the development of Konkani culture and literature. Many other writers and poets wrote verses and commentaries on the Christian religion and culture.
As far back as 1912, two Mangalorean youngsters, Louis Mascarenhas and Louis Kannappa published the first Konkani journal in Kannada script, the 'Konkani Dirvem'. This was followed by other journals like 'Rakno' 'Toinari', 'Mitr', 'Sukh-DukhYSevak', 'Zag-mag' "Vishal Konkan', 'Kanik' and 'Udev'.
Many Konkani playwrights like G.M.B.Rodrigues, A.T. Lobo, V.J.P Saldanha, M.P.D'esa, Henry D'Silva, Eddie D'Souza and C.F.D, Coasta have written many plays in Konkani and earned fame. Novels and stories in Konkani are also written. Many scholars are involved in research on Konkani language, literature and culture. Notable among them are Dr. William Madta and Dr. Rockey Miranda. Dharwad also is a centre for research and literary activity in Konkani language. Konkani stage is playing an important part in Karnataka. The pioneers in this field are Bolanthoor Krishna Prabhu, Kumble Narasimha Nayak, Benedict Rasario, Srinivasa Nayak, N.R. Kamath, Sridhara Bhat, Kamalaksha Nayak, Babuti Nayak and M.Venkatesh Prabhu. Two feature films titled 'Tapasvini' and 'Janamaria' were made by the Saraswats and the Catholics made 'Jeevit Amchem Ashem' and one or two other films. B.V.Baliga had been editing a Konkani monthly 'Panchkaday'.
Konkani has been recognised as a State language in Goa and is also included in the Eight Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The State Government founded the Konkani Academy in 1994. Konkani Academy Awards
From 1995-96 to 2002-03, 32 eminent writers were awarded from Konkani Academy.
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