THE FIRST WORLD KONKANI CULTURAL CONVENTION – MEETING AT MUMBAI On Sunday, May 30 2010, at 3.00 pm, at Gyan Ashram, Andheri(E); around 30 representatives of various Konkani organizations met, to acquaint themselves with the details of the First World Konkani Cultural Convention, a 25- days’ world-level Konkani cultural festival, to be held in Mangalore from November 25 to December 19, 2010. Sri Eric Ozario, Gurkaar, Mandd Sobhann, who was in Mumbai conducting a Konkani heritage camp for adults, had convened this meeting. Sri John B. D’Silva, Vice President, Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Maharashtra and Director, Kalaangann; Rev. Fr. Ramesh Francis Naik Bandodkar, Chief Patron, Kalaangann; Sri Ullas Kamath, President, Triveni Kala Sangam(representing Saraswaths and G.S.B.s); Sri Fausto V. da Costa, editor, Gulab and representing Goan Review Art Foundation; Sri Lawrence D’Souza Kamani, secretary, Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Maharashtra were on stage. Eric Baab explained that the FIRST WORLD KONKANI CULTURAL CONVENTION would invite over 60 Konkani troupes consisting of over a thousand artistes from around the world, to present theatre, song, dance and folk performances. He said that the Cultural Convention, the first of its kind, would also involve a Konkani Film Festival, a Konkani Food Festival, a Konkani Youth Festival, a Konkani Art Festival, a Konkani Kavita Fest, a Konkani Bazaar and Competitions in Konkani games, costumes and cuisine. The ‘2nd Global Konkani Music Award’ as well as the ‘6th Kalaakaar Puraskaar’ would also be awarded at the Cultural Convention. He also stated that 25 institutions/individuals from around the world who have enriched Konkani culture will be honoured, as also dignitaries from around the world would be invited as Chief Guests and Guests of Honour every day. He called upon all Konkani organizations and individuals around the world to involve, to participate and to contribute towards the success of this world event. All gathered unanimously congratulated Mandd Sobhann for taking this bold step to unite Konkanis of all regions, dialects, castes and creeds, and they also declared that this great event will showcase Konkani culture in all its variety, beauty and diversity and make every Konkani proud of his/her identity. For details of our organisation, please log on to our website www.kalaangann.com.
