Fausto’s FUTT: Vintage Wine!

Fausto’s FUTT: Vintage Wine!

Review of Fausto V. Da Costa’s award-winning Konknni play, Futt (the crack), in audio CD and book-form.

By: Walter Menezes


A week ago, I came across a collector’s item(s): the audio CD and the book in Romi script of Fausto V. Da Costa’s award-winning Konknni play, Futt (the crack).

The play immediately took me down memory lane. Some twenty-five summers ago, when one had to ‘book’ a Bajaj scooter and then wait for ages for your turn to come, the public transport was the best way to travel, especially the mini-buses, famous then as they are now, for the music that they played to make the journey comfortable. Futt, I still remember, was quite a hit those days and I must admit that I must have heard the play a number of times as I commuted to work from Kepem to Sanguem, a 15 km stretch with a long break at Curchorem, the mini-bus staying put till another one literally pushed it from behind!


The audio CD together with the book makes an excellent combination. A one-act play in the beginning, Futt was later developed into a full-fledged tiatr and staged for the first time at Patkar Hall in Mumbai in aid of Novem Goem, the Konknni daily in Romi script. Besides Mumbai, this tiatr was also staged in Goa and Pune and by the time Futt was nearing the ‘fifty-shows’ milestone, Faust-bab decided to release the audio cassette of the same. Incidentally, Futt received the ‘Man of the Year Award’ in 1983, instituted by Murli Deora, then President of BRCC(I).

Not many would know that Fausto V. Da Costa, the editor of Gulab, Goa’s popular Konknni monthly magazine in Romi script and The Goan Review, a bi-monthly Konknni-English family magazine, was once a professional tiatr ‘prompter’. Those were the days when the ‘prompter’ was much sought-after, coming as he did to the ‘rescue’ of many a singer and actor on stage. This experience, as also that of acting in a few dramas, held him in good stead. Faust-bab sure knows how to weave a story and keep the listener / reader glued to his seat.

Futt is the story of Hasten who leaves behind the wealth and riches of his father and marries Brenda, daughter of a carpenter and love of his heart. Ten years later when Hasten meets with an accident and is bed-ridden and Brenda goes to work to keep the fires burning, there is another fire which engulfs Hasten: he begins to doubt his wife!

The story takes another twist when Lovina, Hasten’s secretary, ensnares him. Marriage is on the rocks and there comes that moment when Hasten must now decide. Will he divorce his wife for Lovina or will love emerge victorious once again, through the rough and tumble of life? For answers, you will have to either listen to the CD or read the book in tiatr-form.

The dialogues have been carefully scripted. Sample this one when Hasten tells Brenda, “Mhojea papache polasint diamanti asat tachea von ek vorti diamant hea tumchea gorib ghorant asa ani dekhununch hanv sogllem soddun hanga ailam…” (There is this diamond in your humble home which is more precious than all the diamonds in my father’s palace and that is why I have left everything to come here…)

The cast of Wilson Mazarello (Hasten), Sharon Mazarello (Lovina) and others like Xavier Agapito, Bab Peter and Fausto Da Costa have put up a superb performance. But it is Deodita Da Costa as Brenda who really makes a difference. Her voice and the intensity with which she sings some of the cantos (story-related songs between acts), set to music by Babush, makes your heart skip a beat! Not to be missed is Zatam Fugar and Noxibak Roddtam.

We have not seen many tiatrists in recent times putting their scripts in book-form but with the establishment of Tiatr Akademi and a well-known tiatrist like the former speaker of Goa Assembly, Tomazinho Cardozo heading the institution, one hopes that others will soon follow Faust-bab’s footsteps.

And to Fausto V. Da Costa, all I can say is this: On(c)e more! On(c)e more!!

The book:
FUTT
Author and Publisher: Fausto V. Da Costa
Pages: 64
Price: Rs. 30/-

The Audio CD:
FUTT
Story, Dialogues, Lyrics: Fausto V. Da Costa
Music: Babush
Produced by: Dinfa Productions, Mumbai
Price: Rs. 150/-

Available at: (Book) / Goa Konknni Akademi, Panaji, Zito’s, Margao and other outlets. (CD) / Manfa Music, Margao, Goa.

Fausto V. Da Costa can be contact at fausto@vsnl.net

[This review has been published in the Gomantak Times and the writer,
Walter Menezes, can be contacted at walter_menezes@yahoo.com]

http://waltermenezes.blogspot.com/




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QUEPEM CHURCH - Part One (By Walter Menezes)

QUEPEM CHURCH

By: Walter Menezes

PART ONE:


DIOCESAN COMMISSION FOR SACRED ART
VOTES FOR HERITAGE


More than 183 X 2 days after the three-instalment article, Quepem Church: 183 not out! Should it be pulled down? appeared on Gomantak Times (see issues dated 8-10 May, 2008), Rev. Fr. Mario Vaz, the Parish Priest of Holy Cross Church, Quepem made public on May 24, 2009, the findings of the Diocesan Commission for Sacred Art and Heritage. A delegation of the Commission headed by Rev. Fr. Nelson Sequeira had visited the church on a fact-finding mission in the middle of November 2008 and had later submitted its report to the parish priest in January 2009. Fr. Sequeira was accompanied by conservation architect Ketan Nachinolkar, engineer Sylvester Souza and architect Jose Noronha.

But first, a brief background about the church.

The Quepem Church
The Holy Cross Church of Quepem was founded in 1825 by the Cathedral Dean Rev. Jose Paulo da Costa Pereira de Almeida. A chapel in the beginning and filial to the church of Paroda, it was made a parish by provision of 5.2.1833. After repairs the church was re-opened for the worship on 6.7.1889.
Rev. Almeida or ‘Deão’, as he is respectfully known in Quepem even today was born to Faustino da Costa Pereira de Almeida and Margarida Ignacia da Encarnação Netto in the City of Braga in Portugal. He arrived in Goa in 1779 and in 1787 shifted his residence from Old Goa to Quepem and founded a hamlet. He established, at his own expense, a public market, hospital, other facilities and the Church for the benefit of the inhabitants, as inscribed on the pyramidal structure in the churchyard. The Deão died on the 10th of January 1835 and is buried in the Se Cathedral in front of the altar of Nossa Senhora da Dores.

Over a period of time, with the faithful having increased manifold, a move to construct a new church on an adjoining plot was initiated by the then parish priest Rev. Fr. Michael Rebello. The plot in question was however ‘gifted’ by Cabido, trustees of the Deão estate, exclusively for the purpose of constructing a commercial complex. Unlike other churches in Goa, Quepem church has no assets at all and the motive behind the ‘gift’ was to generate the much-needed income for the church. Fr. Rebello’s move, therefore, ran into troubled waters.


Pulse of the People

Last year, from 22nd April to 3rd May, Fr. Vaz, in a fresh attempt, visited each and every ward of the parish to know the ‘pulse’ of the parishioners. In some kind of a referendum, there were three choices before the parishioners: a) should a new church be built at a new site? b) should the old church be demolished and a new church built in its place? and c) should the old church be saved and extensions made?

In the meantime, the GT article was creating ripples in Goa. Fr. Antonio Costa told GT (May 9, 2008): It should be renovated but the original structure, especially the façade, should be kept intact. Heritage activist Percival Noronha was up on his feet. ‘If this church goes down, it will be a big blow to heritage protection in the state,’ he said in another paper (TOI, May 11, 2008).

Margao and Two Churches

Derek Almeida, GT Editor, in a touching editorial (May 28, 2008), against the backdrop of the commencement of restoration work of Telaulim church, wrote, ‘There is something endearing about the churches that dot this tiny state of ours. The elaborate altars painted in gold, the numerous candles, the cherubs, statues, arched windows and wooden roofs are a marvel. These churches have provided material to several writers and photographers and have been the subject of numerous books.’ He further says, ‘Walk into the Holy Spirit Church in Margao and then take a trip to Grace Church, also in Margao and you will begin to appreciate the huge difference between the two.’ The editorial ends up with a message: ‘…the least we can do is think clearly before we sever our architectural links with the past.’

Report of the Commission

And now, for the ‘findings’ of the Diocesan Commission for Sacred Art and Heritage:

• The Commission found the Quepem Church of immense ‘architectural value’ and gave the opinion that the same should be preserved.

The church, by the way, was built during the Rococo period, famous for ‘the conchoidal forms sometimes changing into leaves and the leaves into flames’ (José Pereira, Professor Emeritus, Fordham University, NY, while participating in a symposium on ‘Amchem Goem’ in 2004.)

• The four-tiered altar with a cupola, carved of heavy wood and finished in gold, as also the intricate flooring, should be safeguarded.

• Of the other suggestions made by the Commission, one pertains to the reconstruction of the choir-loft. Such an exercise, the Commission felt, would increase the capacity of the church to accommodate another 150 parishioners.

Relics of the ‘barefooted friar’?

• The Commission also disclosed that in one wall of the nave they found a crypt containing the relics of an important dignitary. The inscription on the wooden lid covering the crypt having worn out, identity of this dignitary has become difficult, the Commission has said in its report.

www.palaciododeao.com throws up an interesting possibility. We are informed that ‘the Deão, Jose Paulo, arrived in Goa in 1779 along with the Archbishop, Dom Frei de Santa Catarina, famously known as the barefooted friar, who died in the Palácio do Deão and whose mortal remains are in the Church of Quepem.’

Food for thought: Could the relics be those of the Archbishop, Dom Frei de Santa Catarina?

As for the result of the ‘referendum’, majority of the parishioners ‘voted’ that the old church should be saved and extensions made.

Percival Noronha and other heritage activists can heave a sigh of relief!





1. The main altar


2. The pelican above an arch in the nave




3. The intricate flooring


4. The central arch


5. The grave of Deão inside Se Cathedral, Old Goa


Pics: by Dale Menezes

END OF PART ONE

(The above article appeared on Gomantak Times, Goa on 3rd and 4th July, 2009)

http://waltermenezes.blogspot.com/2009/07/quepem-church-part-one.html

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QUEPEM CHURCH - Part Two (By Walter Menezes)

QUEPEM CHURCH

By: Walter Menezes


PART TWO:


A new plan for Quepem Church:
HOW THE OLD CAN ‘C0-EXIST’ WITH THE NEW


Yesterday we read about the ‘findings’ of the Diocesan Commission for Sacred Art and Heritage (DCSAH) regarding Quepem Church, details of which were made public by the Parish Priest, Fr. Mario Vaz in the second half of May, 2009.
While heritage activists all over Goa may have heaved a sigh of relief, parishioners of the church were not upbeat although a majority of them had ‘voted’ that the old church should be saved and extensions made in an ‘exercise’ conducted by the parish priest in the last week of April 2008.
The suggestion of the Commission that the existing choir-loft be repaired to accommodate another 150 parishioners did not strike the right chord in the minds of the faithful. This writer who spoke to a cross-section of parishioners found this oft-repeated question being asked, ‘Is the choir-loft the only solution to increase the capacity of the church?’

The young architect
Parishioners of Quepem Church need not lose hope. Even before DCSAH could inspect the church in the month of November 2008, Ivor Gomes, a young architect from Quepem, was already spending hours surfing the net and leafing through churches-related journals. A Book of World Architecture showcasing the glorified structures of ancient, classical, medieval and other periods was his constant companion.
Struck by the heritage bug, Ivor is all praise for the magnificent churches of Goa that have withstood the test of time. When asked what was so ‘lasting’ about them, he summed it up in a few words, ‘Lime theory lasts longer than concrete theory!’
Working on a 1:500 scale survey plan sourced from the survey department, Ivor began designing a plan which would not only save the ‘heritage structure’ but at the same time increase the capacity of the church by about 500. After the drawings were complete, he worked tirelessly to prepare the 3D Model of the church using AUTO CAD, so that the common man could see how the church would look from all angles.
Ivor’s result is a stunning combination of how the old can co-exist with the new! In the process, the young architect has not only been able to increase the capacity of the church to meet the needs of a large gathering on a Sunday service, he has also incorporated two new bell-towers and additional façades to enhance the aesthetic look of the church.

The ‘feel of a cathedral’
Quepem Church was originally a chapel dedicated to Holy Cross and catered to the religious needs of the hamlet founded by ‘Deão’. The altar dedicated to Holy Cross still occupies a place of pride inside. The chapel was subsequently ‘converted’ into a church, but unlike most churches in Goa, the ‘transept’ was missing.
‘The survey plan gave me enough ‘space’ to plan a ‘transept’ which in no way harmed the nave of the church. This way the church will retain its heritage part while making the extension possible,’ explained Ivor. Only the copelmar (sanctuary) housing the main wooden altar dedicated to Our Lady of Piety will have to be demolished. ‘This altar will then move further by about 12 meters from the imposing ‘central arch’ into an opening in the wall of the transept,’ he added. Quepem Church, like the other churches in Goa, will then acquire the shape of a cross to symbolize the crucifix.
By introducing two bell-towers on either arm of the transept and the additional façades, the young architect has succeeded in giving the church the ‘feel of a cathedral’. ‘But they are there with a purpose. The way to the balconies on either side of the transept will be through these bell-towers. And the new façades will compliment the existing one!’ Ivor elaborated. With the stairs making access to the roof easy, these bell-towers would also make maintenance and other functions effortless.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
That is not all. He plans to convert the existing sacristy into a sacred place for the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. ‘The setting is perfect. There is an old altar against a wall which has a large antique painting showing Jesus on the cross and (I think) St. John and Mother Mary on either side. This wall-painting, and others in the sacristy, will have to be restored.’ Ivor said but is quick to add, ‘Let this plan be only the starting point, some kind of a diving-board to take the plunge.’
He knows that there will be changes and modifications. The views of the parishioners and those of the DCSAH will have to be taken into account. But like so many parishioners, Ivor Gomes is of the firm opinion that the ‘process’ which began last year should come to its logical conclusion and not be indefinitely ‘shelved’.
It is now time for the Diocesan Commission for Sacred Art and Heritage to ‘rise’ to the occasion and show the world that the ‘old can co-exist with the new’!




FACT FILE:
Seating capacity after construction of transept with balconies and repairs of choir-loft (conservative figures)

Nave

200

Choir-loft

125

Transept with balconies

475

TOTAL CAPACITY
800



Pics:

1. Plan of existing church



2. Plan of extension with dimensions


3. Sitting arrangement in extension


4. The additional balconies


5. The ‘old and the new’



6. Final look, NW top


7. Final look, NE view


8. The wall painting in sacristy (Pic: by Dale Menezes)



9. Ivor Gomes, architect


(The above article appeared on Gomantak Times, Goa on 3rd and 4th July, 2009)

Kindly send your valuable suggestions to Quepem’s young architect,
Ivor Gomes. His email address is: ivor7080@yahoo.com

END OF PART TWO

http://waltermenezes.blogspot.com/2009/07/quepem-church-part-two.html
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Miscelleneous Items - by Walter Menezes

Under construction

ROMI SOLDIER PRABAKAR TENDULKAR TURNS 75

ROMI SOLDIER TURNS 75
By: Walter Menezes

Writer. Editor. Publisher. Doyen of the Konknni Movement.


Prabhakar Tendulkar will be felicitated at a public function organized by Dalgado Konknni Akademi and Omor Prokaxon at GCCI Hall, Panaji today. Kotha-ghons, his collection of short stories in Romi Konknni will also be released.

The young Editor

Prabhakar Tendulkar was born on June 4, seventy five summers ago. By the time he turned twenty, he was already shouldering the challenging responsibility as editor of the Konknni section of A Vanguarda, a popular Portuguese-Konknni weekly.
‘During those days, the Portuguese regime had banned entry of Marathi newspapers from Mumbai. In such a situation, even Hindus took to reading and writing Konknni in the Romi script,’ Tendulkar had reminisced of those days in a foreword to a book. ‘Tea bhair Kristanv bhav Romi Konknni fattlean aslech,’ he had added, speaking of a community which was always solidly behind Konknni in the Romi script.
A Vanguarda folded up three years after the Liberation of Goa but the ten-year stint (1954-1964) as editor of the weekly was long enough for Prabhakar Tendulkar to sketch in which direction his life would flow henceforth.
Dalesh Printers, his Mapusa-based printing-press, became an important hub of the Konknni movement and it was from here that countless writers in the Romi script had their first break and their first book published!


[June 18, 1980 issue of Gõykar]

Gõykar and Konknni Kendr (Goem)
A determined Prabhakar Tendulkar launched Gõykar, a weekly in the Romi script in 1979, to fight for Goa’s twin aspirations: statehood and recognition of Konknni as Goa’s official language. Konknni Kendr (Goem), a literary organization was also established by him in the same year.
In 1980, somewhere in the month of April or May, Agnelo Pires and I were invited by Konknni Kendr to read our literary works. The two of us were then young and ‘budding writers’, expressing our hearts out through kovita and kotha. I remember it was a Sunday and we had left early in the morning from Kepem. Three bus-rides over two major rivers later, we were finally in Mapusa.
My short-story, Omega was well received. It was, in fact, my first story. After the ‘reading session’ was over, Prabhakar Tendulkar came forward and shook my hand. It was a warm and affectionate hand-shake. ‘I liked the story,’ he said. Then, with a smile on his face, he added, ‘Give me the manuscript. I will publish it on Gõykar!’
True to his word, my story was carried in one of the subsequent issues of the weekly.


[Dec 31, 1956 issue of A Vanguarda]

Prabhakar Tendulkar releasing Camilo Menezes’ Noxibant Nirmilelem, a collection of short stories in Romi Konknni on 19.07.2008. Dr. Francisco Colaço and Tereza Travasso, then Chairperson of Quepem Municipal Council are also seen.

The writer ‘within’
While egging on and encouraging young writers like me to sharpen our literary skills, the editor never forgot the ‘writer within him’. Prabhakar Tendulkar wrote many books in Konknni on many a subject, notable among them being Rangmachi, Gulab, Tin Tiatr, Sat Prosn, Oso ho Sonvsar and Jinneche Rong.
Recipient of a number of awards and recognitions from Akhil Bharoti Konknni Lekhok Som'melon, Akhil Gomantak Nabhik Samaj, Lions Club of Mapusa City, Mapusa’s Sarvojanik Ganesh Mohatsav Mandal and Konknni Bhasha Mandal, Prabhakar Tendulkar also received the prestigious Pri. Antonio Pereira Puroskar instituted by Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr, Porvorim.
A year ago, when I had met Prabhakar Tendulkar at Dalesh Printers in connection with my late brother’s book of short-stories which had earlier appeared on A Vanguarda some fifty years ago when he was its editor, he was totally disgusted at the treatment meted out to Konknni in the Romi script. ‘This is not what we fought for,’ he said. Prabhakar Tendulkar was the one leading the battle of the Konknni Porjecho Avaz from Mapusa during the language agitation.

[NRI Commissioner Eduardo Faleiro re-launching Gõykar in July 2008. Also seen are Prabhakar Tendulkar, DKA President Premanand Lotlikar, then President of GKA, Pundalik Naik and Tomazinho Cardozo, editor.]


Attempts to kill Romi script
Writing in the inaugural issue (Voros I, Ank 1) after ‘gifting’ his Gõykar to Omor Prokaxon and now being edited by Tomazinho Cardozo, he minced no words when he said, ‘Konknniche apunn mhalgodde mhunntteleamni Romi lipintli Konknni marunk zaite proitn keleat ani azun kortat…’ (Those who pride themselves as being elders of the Konknni movement have made several attempts to kill Konknni in the Romi script. Even now they have not stopped these attempts…)



Prabhakar Tendulkar is equally vociferous when he speaks about the Sahitya Akademi Awards (Gõykar, Oct 2008 issue). ‘Sod’dea ji pod’dot asa ti apleach bhitor Award vanttun ghevpachi koxi dista. Elsewhere in the same article, he says: Romi lipientle Konknnint borim pustokam boroun aplem akhem jivit sarlelea Fr. Antonio Pereira sarkhilea boroupeak Sahitya Akademicho Award mellunk nam…’ (The present arrangement looks like they want to share the award amongst themselves… A writer like Fr. Antonio Pereira who spent his whole life writing quality Konknni books in the Romi script has not received the Sahitya Akademi Award…)

Calling a spade a spade has been Prabhakar Tendulkar’s hallmark. Even in the twilight years of his life, he continues to do just that!

Zolm-disachim porbim tumkam, Prabhakar-bab Tendulkar!


- Walter Menezes
Quepem, Goa>
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Re: AWARD CONFIRMING FUNCTION AT TSKK

As always, it was a pleasure to be amidst so many Goans who truly love their mother tongue Konkani.
Mr. Pandharinath Lotlikar, Ex-Director of Doordarshan had a simple suggestion to make'
"Konknnichem ruk vhodd zavpak, tacheo khandeo ros-rosit zavpak ani tem ruk foll divpak ami Konknnichi vapudd korpak zai. TSKK-cho Puroskar gevcho Sahitiya Puroskarakin vhodd dista"

[For the Konkani tree to grow big and have turgid, healthy branches and for it to beaer fruit we must use the Konani language. The Award from TSKK seems to be better than that of the Sahitiya Akademi."]


He appreciated the fact that the TSKK has a tradition of inviting a Literateur to felicitate another Literateur [instead of the normal practice of giving this honour to politicians and bureaucrats].

"Ghorchea munxean apli toknai kellea koxi dista".
The appreciation from one's own kind is of greater value to the receiver.


Fr. Almir de Souza spoke of "Kristanvponn ani Kristanv mon" and showed the difference between the two. He said that he wrote with two thoughts uppermost in his mind: 1. the Christian faith specially the words of Jesus Christ, "I have come so that you may have life; life in all its fullness." [John 10:10] and 2. the love of Amchi Bhas, Konkani.


For the rest see the report below.

Mog asundi

Miguel

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: pratap naik
Date: Apr 28, 2009 9:07 PM
Subject: Awards giving function
To: tomazinho@sify.com, michael gracias
, Miguel Braganza
, pravin sabnis ,
walter menezes , wilfred goes
, wilson mazarello
,

THOMAS STEPHENS KONKNNI KENDR
B.B.Borkar Road
Alto Porvorim, Goa- 403 521
Phone (0832) 2415857, 2415864
E-mail:tskk@sancharnet.in
Website:www.tskk.org
April 29, 2009


AWARD CONFIRMING FUNCTION AT TSKK

“TSKK chooses the right people for its awards and TSKK awards are
greater than the Sahitya Akademi awards because they are given to
deserving people and they are given by our own household institution.”
said Mr. Pandharinath Lotlikar, the ex-director of Panaji Doordarshan.
He was speaking as the Chief Guest at Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr’s
(TSKK) awards giving function. He further said “Devanagari and Roman
scripts are twin children of a mother. A real mother cannot kill one
child for the sake of another. A mother loves her both the children.
Let both scripts flourish in Goa in unity. Let the government extend
equal facilities to Roman script which are at present exclusively
available to Nagari script”. He praised TSKK for its service to
Konknni and said that TSKK instead of inviting politicians as Chief
guests has set a good example by inviting only veteran Konknni
stalwarts to felicitate its awardees. The function was held at TSKK
premises at Alto Porvorim, Goa on 28 April at 5.30 pm.

The Chief Guest confirmed the prestigious "Antonio Pereira Konknni
Puroskar" (APKP) of Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr (TSKK) on Fr. Almir
de Sousa for his contribution to religious Konknni literature. Fr
Almir has worked with passion and zeal for the last forty years to
implement the Vatican Second Council’s vision to promote local
languages in liturgy and para-liturgical domains. Since Konknni is
the official language of the liturgy in the archdiocese of Goa, Fr.
Almir worked tirelessly to promote Konknni in Goa through his books,
articles and Konknni ministry. He is the nineteenth recipient of APKP.
The award consisted of a shawl, memento and cash Rs. 25,000/-. The
previous recipients of APKP Mr. Tomazinho Cardozo and Mr. Yusuf Sheikh
and over hundred fifty people were present for the function.

Fr. Almir has written and edited 25 Konknni books. Some of the
important books are Utor ani Jivit a Series containing of five books;
Magnneacho Turo 6 booklets, Somiachem Jevonn, Mis and 8 books of
Konknni Catechism.

Fr. Almir held many responsible positions in the Goa Archdiocese. He
has served as the prefect of Saligão Seminary, Pro-Notary in
Archbishop’s House, Secretary of Diocesan Catechetical Centre,
Secretary of Diocesan Liturgical Centre, and Director of Pastoral
Centre. He has served as a Parish Priest at St. Estevão and Verna. At
present he is the Parish priest of Ucassaim in Bardes taluka. He
started the Parish bulletins St. Estevanchi Zap and Vernechi Zap at
St. Estevão and Verna respectively. At Ucassaim he improved the parish
bulletin Zagruti. Fr. Almir still continues to promote Konknni in
liturgical and other religious services in Goa. In his speech Fr.
Almir stressed that all Goans must contribute their mite to uplift
Konknni by speaking, reading and writing. He expressed his desire that
every household should subscribe at least one Konknni periodical and
read it.

At the same function Konknni poet Walter Menezes was given TSKK’s
‘Konknni Martir Floriano Vaz Puroskar (KMFVP)’ for his poetry book
'Zoit' as the best Konknni book of 2009 year written in Roman script.
Walter Menezes is a noted Konknni writer. Besides Konknni, he writes
articles in English. The award consisted of a shawl, memento and cash
Rs. 5,000/-. Ms Shilpa Salvi and Ms Joanita D’Silva of TSKK recited
two Konknni poems of Walter Menezes from his book Zoit. While replying
to the award, Walter said that he would continue to serve Konknni in
roman script and dedicate his next book to Konknni Martir Floriano Vaz
and release it on his death anniversary, namely on 20 December.

Fr. Ave Maria Afonso, the executive editor of Konknni monthly 'Dor
Mhoineachi Rotti' for the last three years was felicitated by the
chief guest during this function. Ms Preeta Naik Parab introduced Fr.
Ave to the audience. The guest of honour and the Provincial Superior
of Goa Jesuit Province Rev. Dr. Anthony da Silva, S.J., thanked Fr.
Ave for his three years of dedicated service to Jesuits. At this
occasion Ms Concy Fernandes, a XII standard student from Vasco was
awarded Lourenço Umbelina scholarship by Mr. Walter Fernandes.

Fr. Pratap Naik, S.J. the director of TSKK welcomed the gathering. Ms
Netra Kundaikar proposed the vote of thanks. Konknni writer and last
year’s KMFVP recipient Mr. Daniel F. D’Souza compered the function in
his excellent style.

Pratap Naik, S.J.
Director


-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
Pictures by Miguel Braganza,
S1 Gracinda Apts, Rajvaddo, Mhapsa 403507 Goa
Ph 9822982676 miguelbraganza@yahoo.co.in

AWARDS CONFIRMING FUNCTION AT TSKK

AWARDS CONFIRMING FUNCTION AT TSKK

TSKK chooses the right people for its awards and TSKK awards are greater than the Sahitya Akademi awards because, they are given to deserving people and they are given by our own household institution.” said Mr. Pandharinath Lotlikar, the
ex-director of Panaji Doordarshan. He was speaking as the Chief Guest at Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr’s (TSKK) awards giving function.

He further said “Devanagari and Roman scripts are twin children of a mother. A real mother cannot kill one child for the sake of another. A mother loves her both kids. Let both scripts flourish in Goa in unity. Let the government extend equal facilities to Roman script which are at present exclusively available to Nagari script”.

He praised TSKK for its service to Konknni and said that TSKK instead of inviting politicians as Chief guests has set a good example by inviting only veteran Konknni stalwarts to felicitate its awardees.

The function was held at TSKK premises at Alto Porvorim, Goa on 28 April at 5.30 pm. The Chief Guest confirmed the prestigious Antonio Pereira Konknni Puroskar (APKP) of Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr (TSKK) on Fr. Almir de Sousa for his contribution to religious Konknni literature. Fr Almir has worked with passion and zeal for the last forty years to implement the Vatican Second CouncilÂ’s vision to promote local languages in liturgy and para-liturgical domains.


Since Konknni is the official language of the liturgy in the archdiocese of Goa,
Fr. Almir worked tirelessly to promote Konknni in Goa through his books, articles and Konknni ministry. He is the nineteenth recipient of APKP. The award consisted of a shawl, memento and cash Rs. 25,000/-. The previous recipients of APKP Mr. Tomazinho Cardozo and Mr. Yusuf Sheikh and over hundred fifty people were present for the function.

Fr. Almir has written and edited 25 Konknni books. Some of the important books are Utor ani Jivit a Series containing of five books; Magnneacho Turo 6 booklets, Somiachem Jevonn, Mis and 8 books of Konknni Catechism.

Fr. Almir held many responsible positions in the Goa Archdiocese. He has served as the prefect of Saligao Seminary, Pro-Notary in Archbishop’s House, Secretary of Diocesan Catechetical Centre, Secretary of Diocesan Liturgical Centre, and Director of Pastoral Centre. He has served as a Parish Priest at St. Estevão and Verna. At present he is the Parish priest of Ucassaim in Bardes taluka. He started the Parish bulletins St. Estevanchi Zap and Vernechi Zap at St. Estevao and Verna respectively. At Ucassaim he improved the parish bulletin Zagruti. Fr. Almir still continues to promote Konknni in liturgical and other religious services in Goa. In his speech Fr. Almir stressed that all Goans must contribute their mite to uplift Konknni by speaking, reading and writing. He expressed his desire that every household should subscribe at least one Konknni periodical and read it.
__________________

TSKK-CHE KONKNNI PUROSKAR DIUNCHI KARIAVOLL



Puroskar diunchi kariavoll Kendrachea angnnant 28 Abril sanjechea zust 5.30 vorancher suru zali. Mukhel soire, Pandharinath Lotlikar-an Antonio Pereira Konknni Puroskar (APKP) Fr. Almir de Sousan dharmik sahitya mollar kel’le seve khatir taka bhettoylo. Vatikan dusre sobheche xikovnne pormannem Gõyant dharmik mollar Konknni choddant chodd vaprunk Fr. Almiran pott-tiddken vavr kela. Tannem 25 pustokam, kitlexech lekh boroun ani Konknnintlean aplo govllik vavr korun Konknnichi seva kelea.
Fr Almir APKP-cho ekunnisavo man’kari. Hea puroskarant xal, yadostik, ani 25,000 rupia aspavtat. Puroskarachea suvalleak APKP-che adle man’kari Xri Tomazinho Cardozo ani Xri Yusuf Sheikh ani sumar 150 lok hajir aslo.



He kariavolli vellar Xri Walter Menezes hachea Zoit kovita jhelea khatir 2008 vorsacho ‘Konknni Martir Floriano Vaz Puroskar (KMFVP)’ dilo. To Konknni ani Inglix bhasamni boroyta. Yadostik ani 5,000 rupia rupacho ho puroskar mukhel soirean dilo. Walter bab hea puroskaracho
tisro man’kari. Kendrachea Shilpa Salvi ani Joanita D’Silva hannim Walteracheo don kovita vachun dakhoyleo. Puroskarak zap ditana Walteran mhonnlem, apunn urlolea jivitant Romi lipientle Konknni khatir vavurtolo ani aplem fuddlem pustok Konknni martir Floriano Vazak bhettoytolo ani 20 Dezembr tachea mornnachea disa uzvaddaytolo.


( batmi )

Fottu: Mukhel Soire Pandharinath Lotlikar hanche borobor Pri. Almir de Souza ani Walter Menezes

Walter-acheo ‘Don Kovita” heo zavn asleo…

KAL RATI…

Kal rati…
Foddli hanvem kott’tti mhoji
Hanv bhikari nhoi
Naka mhaka bhik tumchi

Atam jinne-rostear
Kantte aslear
Hanv te soglle sonstolom
Konnank dukhoinastanam
Kainch uloinastanam

Atam goribsannichea khursar
Morchem aslear
Hanv jerul mortolom

Punn dimi moddchonam
Bhik magchonam

Kal rati…
Foddli hanvem kott’tti mhoji.

HANV URTOLOM,
UTOR ZAVN!

Suskarchi naddi
Mhoje jinnentli
Jen’nam bond poddtoli
Ten’nam tum aslear
Tambddo xalu naka
Moddear mhojea
Kanknnam foddum naka

Fat naka
Gravat naka
Dukhaim-i golloum naka

Xevottchi vatt cholunk
Kimti sailacho kaixanv naka
Moronn mhojem
Babddea zhaddar
Kiteak far?

Mhojea paiche
Mainche
Bhavache
Bhoinniche
Sogllea mhojea
Ghorcheanche
Ani ixtanche yadimni
Girest zal’le matient
Mhaka-i nhiddum di

Mhoineacho
Vorsacho
Ugddas naka
Kallim angvostram nhesun
Mel’leam modem
Mhaka sodinaka

Hanv jivoch astolom
Mhoje kovitentlean
Kannyentlean
Hanv uloit ravtolom

Astolo lipun hanv
Khoinchea tori
Disalleacher
Masikacher
Khillo marun
Faskent ghalun
Utor zavn
Humkolltolom hanv
Konnagele tori
Von’tticher

Mornnacho dut
Mhojea umbrear
Jen’nam ubo ravtolo
Ten’nam horddem fuloun
Hanv sangtolom:

“Hanv morchonam
Hanv urtolom
Utor zavn!”

(Zoit ani her kovita – hea pustokantlean)



__________________
At the same function Konknni poet Walter Menezes was given TSKK’s ‘Konknni Martir Floriano Vaz Puroskar (KMFVP)' for his poetry book Zoit as the best Konknni book of 2009 year written in Roman script. Walter Menezes is a noted Konknni writer. Besides Konknni, he writes articles in English. The award consisted of a shawl, memento and cash Rs. 5,000/-. Ms Shilpa Salvi and Ms Joanita D’Silva of TSKK recited two Konknni poems of Walter Menezes from his book Zoit. While replying to the award, Walter said that he would continue to serve Konknni in roman script and dedicate his next book to Konknni Martir Floriano Vaz and release it on his death day, namely on 20 December.

Fr. Ave

Maria Afonso, the executive editor of Konknni monthly Dor Mhoineachi Rotti for the last three years was felicitated by the chief guest during this function. Ms Preeta Naik Parab introduced Fr. Ave to the audience. The guest of honour and the Provincial Superior of Goa Jesuit Province Rev. Dr. Anthony da Silva, S.J. thanked Fr. Ave for his three years of dedicated service to Jesuits. At this occasion Ms Concy Fernandes, a XII standard student from Vasco was awarded Lourenco Umbelina scholarship by Mr. Walter Fernandes.




Fr. Pratap Naik, S.J. the director of TSKK welcomed the gathering. Ms Netra Kundaikar gave vote of thanks. Konknni writer and last year’s KMFVP recipient
Mr. Daniel D’Souza compered the function with his excellent style.


Posted by: "Fr Pratap Naik, SJ, TSKK" MangaloreanCatholics@gmail.com
Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:24 am (PDT)


-gaspar almeida