<p>It was organised jointly by Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy and Konkani Associations here.<br /><br />Women clad in sarees, young girls dressed in jeans and t-shirts and men in formals weaved coconut fronds highlighting the culture of the Konkanis. Many youngsters watched in amazement as their parents and grandparents took to the task with ease.<br /><br />Hundreds of people had gathered at the programme organised to bring together Konkanis residing in various parts of the city. The inaugural programme had a different touch to it as guests were welcomed with a small pot of drinking water along with beetle leaves and nuts, a trademark of Konkani culture. Programmes, including decking up a girl with bridal wear — according to their customs — was also an attractive feature at the programme.<br /><br />Folk dance by Mamatha Kini and troupe, dance performances by troupes led by Victoria D’Costa, Apolin D’Souza and Suneetha D’Souza captivated the audience. A vocal recital by Jasmin D’Souza took many on a musical sojourn.<br /><br />Funds for community hall<br />Earlier, legislator M Satyanarayana said he would take steps to allot MLA LAD funds for the construction of a Konkani community hall in the city. He said: “When I was working in a bank earlier, many of my colleagues used to speak in Konkani. I used to feel that they were trying to speak behind my back. But, later, one of them told me that speaking in their mother tongue gives them some satisfaction, which is not possible when they talk in other languages.” He opined that Konkani and Malayalam were the most difficult languages to learn.<br /><br />Mayor Pushpalatha Chikkanna said Konkani literature was special. Culture represents people and conducting such programmes gives an opportunity for the community to get together.<br /><br />Gowda Saraswath Brahmana Sabha president M Jagannath Shenoy said Konkanis are leaders in hotel industry and banking sector. He said Konkanis have made immense contribution to the country.<br /><br />Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy (KKSA) president Kundapura Narayana Karvi, Konkani Christian Association (KCA) president Gracian Rodrigues Babu, Rajapura Saraswatha Samaja president elect Chandrashekar Nayak, Daivagna Brahmana Samaja Kamalesh Shet, KKSA member convenor B Pundaleeka Marate, registrar Dr B Devadas Pai, Ramprasad Kamath and KCA secretary John William D’Souza were present.<br /></p>
<p>It was organised jointly by Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy and Konkani Associations here.<br /><br />Women clad in sarees, young girls dressed in jeans and t-shirts and men in formals weaved coconut fronds highlighting the culture of the Konkanis. Many youngsters watched in amazement as their parents and grandparents took to the task with ease.<br /><br />Hundreds of people had gathered at the programme organised to bring together Konkanis residing in various parts of the city. The inaugural programme had a different touch to it as guests were welcomed with a small pot of drinking water along with beetle leaves and nuts, a trademark of Konkani culture. Programmes, including decking up a girl with bridal wear — according to their customs — was also an attractive feature at the programme.<br /><br />Folk dance by Mamatha Kini and troupe, dance performances by troupes led by Victoria D’Costa, Apolin D’Souza and Suneetha D’Souza captivated the audience. A vocal recital by Jasmin D’Souza took many on a musical sojourn.<br /><br />Funds for community hall<br />Earlier, legislator M Satyanarayana said he would take steps to allot MLA LAD funds for the construction of a Konkani community hall in the city. He said: “When I was working in a bank earlier, many of my colleagues used to speak in Konkani. I used to feel that they were trying to speak behind my back. But, later, one of them told me that speaking in their mother tongue gives them some satisfaction, which is not possible when they talk in other languages.” He opined that Konkani and Malayalam were the most difficult languages to learn.<br /><br />Mayor Pushpalatha Chikkanna said Konkani literature was special. Culture represents people and conducting such programmes gives an opportunity for the community to get together.<br /><br />Gowda Saraswath Brahmana Sabha president M Jagannath Shenoy said Konkanis are leaders in hotel industry and banking sector. He said Konkanis have made immense contribution to the country.<br /><br />Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy (KKSA) president Kundapura Narayana Karvi, Konkani Christian Association (KCA) president Gracian Rodrigues Babu, Rajapura Saraswatha Samaja president elect Chandrashekar Nayak, Daivagna Brahmana Samaja Kamalesh Shet, KKSA member convenor B Pundaleeka Marate, registrar Dr B Devadas Pai, Ramprasad Kamath and KCA secretary John William D’Souza were present.<br /></p>
