From the Cradle of Konkani history: 1
Fausto V. da Costa
What is Historiography? Does it mean writing about only those things of
which one is aware? It cannot be denied that Historiography involves a lot
of research, a meticulous and painstaking exercise to unearth and bring to
light facts which may not all be in the public domain. But, in recent
years, the term is being interpreted as an effort to write about only those
events and happenings one personally knows, only about persons one likes
while ignoring those one does not, and generally blow one's own trumpet. In
fact there has been an active attempt to twist history to fit one's own
agenda; this is specifically in regard to the history of Konkani language
and the Konkani Tiatr. Let us bear in mind that, in effect, what is today
being recorded as history is a falsification of History, a diabolical
attempt at suppressio veri suggestio falsi. When the next generation comes
to use this hodgepodge as reference material and bases its writing on this
"history" could we blame them? Have these historiographers pondered over
this aspect?
Keeping this in mind, we are bringing out a roll of persons who have
sincerely contributed to the progress of Konkani and who have been,
deliberately or otherwise, ignored or neglected. We do not rule out the
possibility of shortcomings even in this writing of ours. But we are of the
firm opinion that facts, in their proper perspective, must be truthfully
recorded. Therefore, we humbly request our knowledgeable readers to point
these defects and also provide any additional relevant information, in their
possession or knowledge, about these personalities so that proper amends
could be made. Letters/articles in this regard would be much appreciated.
Prof. Armando Menezes (1902-1983)
Prof. Armando Menezes was an eminent son of Goa. He was an Educationist
extraordinaire. Born in Divar, Goa on 11th May, 1902, he contributed
immensely to the field of education. As a teacher, he shouldered several
responsibilities with distinction. He was Professor of English both at
Bombay and Dharwad. He was a Principal of a College too.
His contribution to the field of Konkani language is enormous. After the
Liberation of Goa, the Government of India appointed him Member secretary of
the Goa Education Commission. Based on the recommendations of this
Commission, the Government of India conferred a special status on the
regional language of Goa.
Prof. Menezes was a co-founder of the Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Bombay in
association with Shenoy Goembab, Fr. H.O.Mascarenhas, Bakibab Borkar, Adv.
Madhav Manjunath Shanbhag etc. And in 1942, he became its first President .
The same year Prof. Armando functioned as the President of the Third Session
of the All India Konkani Conference which was held first time in Bombay
wherein Shenoy Goembab functioned as the Chairman of the Reception
Committee.
Prof. Menezes was the father of the noted writer George Menezes. He expired
in Mumbai on 2nd June 1983.
Valerian Cardinal Gracias (1900-1978)
Hailing from Goa's Dramapur village in Salcete, Valerian Gracias was born at
Karachi on October 23, 1900. He went on to become the first Indian
Archbishop of Bombay on December 4, 1950; then on Jan. 12, 1953, he became
the first Indian to be anointed Cardinal. He was awarded Padma Vibushan in
1966. The Goregaon Seminary, which celebrates it's golden jubilee this
year, is one of his dreams that came to fruition.
He has voluminous literature in English to his credit; he has also edited
some periodicals. "Cardinal Gracias Speaks" and "To Revive Old Memories"
are two of his well-known works. He was an accomplished orator and
preacher. In order to hear his sermons, people would secure their seats
even one hour in advance. Crowds would throng to his "Three Hours' Agony"
on every Good Friday.
His contribution to Konkani literature is immense. He had great love for
his mother tongue. He would end his Good Friday sermon in English at Cross
maidan with a 15 minutes long oration in Konkani. He would not only attend
tiatrs but also encourage the artistes by personally meeting them. He once
told C. Alvares that social and moral messages are conveyed to the people
through tiatrs more easily than through priests' sermons.
Cardinal Gracias had great affection for "Dor Mhoineachi Rotti." In
1950-51, he brought the periodical and its editor, Fr. Elias D'Souza from
Karachi to Bombay. But the "Rotti" could not be run officially with Fr.
Elias as the editor because he was a Portuguese citizen. Therefore, Msgr.
Orfino de Sa was named the de jure editor whereas the de facto editor
continued to be Fr. Elias. He also encouraged Konkani-knowing seminarians to
write for Rotti. Fr. Elias became very sick. He did recover from a grievous
illness, but he did nor regain his original vigour. He was medically
advised not to undertake onerous duties. Thus "Rotti" had to close down....
Just then Goa was liberated from the Portuguese. Fr. Charles Gomes (later
Bishop of Ahmedabad, hailing from Saligao) who was also born and brought up
in Karachi and a great friend of Gracias was then the Jesuit Provincial of
the Goa-Poona Province; he too had great love for "Rotti." Together they
decided to take the "Rotti" to Goa and thus handed it over to Fr. Moreno D'Souza
who then ran it for 42 long years.
He also started a Konkani weekly, "Udentechem Nekhetr" under the aegis of
the Archdiocese of Bombay, The first editor of this weekly was Fr.
Teofleos Lobo (from Colvale). He was followed by Msgr. George Fernandes
(from Calangute, brother of Dr. Simon C. Fernandes) and Msgr. Ayres
Fernandes (from Siolim). Cardinal Gracias worked with determination to keep
this weekly going.
The Fifth session of the All-India Konkani Parishad held in Bombay in 1952
was inaugurated at the hands of Cardinal Gracias.
Cardinal Gracias breathed his last on September 11, 1978 at the age of 78
years, a victim of cancer. He is interred in the Holy Name Cathedral,
Wodehouse, Colaba.
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