The official language of Goa is Konkani, and April 9 marks World Konkani Day, a day that has been celebrated since 2015 in remembrance of noted Konkani activist, Shenoi Goembab (Waman Ragunath Shenoi Valaulikar, June 23, 1877 – April 9, 1946).
Two well-known institutes in Goa have long been involved in promoting the Konkani language: Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr (TSKK) and Dalgado Konknni Akademi (DKA).
THOMAS STEPHENS KONKNNI KENDR (TSKK)
Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr (TSKK) is a Konknni research, educational and cultural centre named after the 16th century English Jesuit, Fr Thomas Stephens (1549 - 1619), a renowned linguist and Marathi poet, who came to Goa in 1579, and learnt Konkani and Marathi so well that he wrote in these languages.
TSKK first functioned from Miramar, in Panjim, from 1986, before shifting to its current premises in Alto Porvorim, near the (Jesuit) Xavier Centre of Historical Research.
In June 1999, TSKK was recognized by Goa University as a Konkani research institute.
ACTIVITIES & MORE
Besides offering Konkani language courses, TSKK publishes a research bulletin, Sod, with articles in Konkani (Devanagari and Roman/Romi script), and occasionally, in English. Other publications by TSKK include A Description of Konknni by Matthew Almeida, SJ (1989); Teacher's and Parent's Manual (1996) by Pratap Naik, SJ; and many more.
In addition, the institute has produced several cassettes and CDs of Konkani music, devotional songs, nursery rhymes and children's songs.
Apart from language-related pursuits, the TSKK has a botanical garden with a collection of over 300 trees and plants, such as the ainno madd (fan palm or Livistona rotundifolia), ambor (mulberry or Morus alba) , kalljirem (black cumin, Nigella sativa), zaifoll (nutmeg, Mystica fragans) among others.
DALGADO KONKNNI AKADEMI (DKA)
The Dalgado Konknni Akademi, is located in Panjim, and works towards the development and promotion of the Konkani language in the Roman script, as well as promotion of literature and culture.
The academy was established in 1988, and named after Msgr Sebastião Rodolfo Dalgado (Indo-Portuguese Catholic priest, academic, university professor, theologian, orientalist and linguist).
During the late 80s, the DKA published Konkani Orthography in Roman Script with the aim of bringing uniformity among Konkani writers, so that they could understand the principles and rules of writing Konkani in the Roman script.
ACTIVITIES & MORE
The DKA organises various activities such as workshops, exhibitions, lectures, competitions etc in educational institutions across the state.
It has a library, documentation centre, scholarships, fellowships and provides guidance to students, writers, teachers, producers and actors/actresses of Konkani.
The academy collects and preserves Konkani documents, records, books and objects, scattered across the state, with individuals and families, and related to the cultural and literary development of Konkani.
It also provides financial assistance, awards, scholarships to writers, dramatists, scholars, singers in the field of Konkani, and distributes books or magazines in Konkani to libraries and institutions.
Some books under the DKA banner include Kallzache Kholayek Thaun (a novel by Epifanio Valadares), Sopon (a collection of ten one-act plays by James Fernandes), and Budd’tti (a novel by Manuel Fernandes) to name a few.
The following awards have been instituted by the DKA to give recognition for the work done to promote Romi Konkani:
Joel D'Souza Daiz Puraskar (Joel D'Souza Heritage Award)
Dalgado Tornatto Puraskar (Dalgado Youth Award)
Berta Menezes Ostori Puraskar (Bertha Menezes Women's Award)
Bonaventure D'Pietro Vorsachem Pustok Puroskar (Bonaventure D'Pietro Year of the Book Award)
DALGADO KONKNNI AKADEMI (DKA), Panjim
CONTACT: 0832 2221688
THOMAS STEPHENS KONKNNI KENDR (TSKK), Porvorim
CONTACT: 0832 2415857
