ROMI KONKANI IS FLOURISHING: Nagri Konkani is sinking!

No Comments

ROMI KONKANI IS FLOURISHING: Nagri Konkani is sinking!

Ever since the official language bill made Konkani the Devanagiri script, the official language, the Nagri Konkani is sinking and Romi Konkani is blooming. Reginald Fernandes, who writes Romi Konkani romances, sells more then 25,000 copies as against 500 copies on average by Devanagri Konkani writers.

I OWE an apology to Konkani mogi. In retrospect I have come to believe that I should not have accepted or endorsed Konkani in the Devanagari (nagri) script as the official language of Goa. If at the time of the passing of the official language bill, OHeraldo had insisted on equal official language status for Romi Konkani, it would have been granted. This is because the public mood was in favor of treating Konkani in all scripts as the official language. It is the language which was chosen to be the official language of the state. It was not any particular script. Scripts are only a medium for a language. For historical reasons Konkani has been blessed in a variety of scripts. This has been acknowledged by the Gyanpeeth award winner Damodar Mauzo. Konkani has historically been written in Kannada and Malayalam too but in their own Kannada and Malayalam script.

ROMI SCRIPT NURTURED
IN GOA it is Roman or romi script which has nurtured, nursed and preserved the once only spoken language of Konkani. Historically, Konkani has been a spoken language without a distinct script of its own. The Christian missionaries who came to Goa in the wake of the Portuguese conquest of Goa found it easier to learn Konkani in the Romi script and they pioneered literature in the Romi script.
Indeed, the first grammer was compiled by Father Thomas Stephens in whose memory the Thomas Stephen Kendra was set up by the Jesuits. Father Stephens wrote “art de lingua canarin” and in 1640 laid down the foundation for the Romi script. Fr Stephens also produced the Romi Konkani version of the Bible called the “Krista Purana” — blending Christian themes with Indian literary styles. From the 16th century onwards there were newspapers, novels, poetry and religious texts largely written in Romi Konkani. It is not widely advertised that Shenoi Goem bab, claimed to be the founder of nagri Konkani, actually did all his initial writing in the Romi script. It is It was only after he relocated in Maharashtra that he started writing in the nagri script.
Romi Konkani books sell many more copies than Devanagari Konkani books. The average print order for a nagri Konkani book is 500 copies. Only Hindu readers in Goa can patronize these books. In any case, most Hindu Goans have been educated in Marathi and speak, read and write Marathi. Ardent Konkani mogi Uday Bhembre himself has admitted that his father Laxmikant Bhembre was a lover of Marathi. The king of Romi Konkani writers is Reginald Fernandes. Reginald is the Barbara Cartland of Romi Konkani novels. Reginald has written over 200 Konkani romances. His books sell an average of 5,000 copies and his most popular books have sold over 20,000 copies. Romi Konkani is a global language popular among not only Goans in Bombay but East Africa and the Gulf countries. Jess Fernandes is considered among the leading contemporary romi Konkani literary figures.
CULTURALLY, romi Konkani is the script which has preserved Konkani culture. This is because the unique Konkani drama form tiatr is written and read in romi Konkani. The 400 year old living tiatr tradition is a reflection of the vibrant exclusiveness of Goan culture. This is because the natak which is the Hindu version is performed not in Konkani but in Marathi. Similarly, a number of the folk songs are traditionally written in romi, particularly in dance forms like the mando and the dekhni. The tiatr still attracts thousands of fans.
Among Goans, Boyer is considered the Charlie Chaplin of tiatr. Among the most prominent producers of tiatr is Thomasin Cardozo and Irineau Gonsalves. The tiatr has often been compared to the Italian opera. Among the other great Konkani stalwarts is Eric Rosario, who promoted romi Konkani in Mangalore. Romi Konkani is aggressively promoted by the Global Konkani Forum.
Devanagari Konkani is sinking. The enrolment in nagri Konkani schools has come down to 9% of the total enrolment at the primary level. Most government Konkani primary schools have closed down and there are only a few now maintained by private institutions. The only daily newspaper in nagri Konkani, Sunaprant, was launched by Dattaraj Salgaocar, but it had to close down because it never achieved a circulation beyond 2,000. In sharp contrast, romi Konkani flourishes. The Vangara Isht (Workers Friend) brought out by the Pilar Society has been continuously published for 200 years. There are lots of romi Konkani readers. Unfortunately, there is no major publication devoted to romi Konkani. The last major publication was Gulag brought out by Father Freddy d’Costa.

***DKA Releases Two Novels on Reginald Fernandes’ 112th Birth Anniversary.*** The Dalgado Konknni Akademi (DKA) commemorated the 112th birth anniversary of celebrated Roman Konkani novelist Reginald Fernandes, popularly known as Romanxincho Patxai, with a literary and cultural programme held at St. Anthony’s Church Hall, Siolim. The event brought together literary enthusiasts, admirers of the late writer, and members of the local community to honour his enduring contribution to Konkani literature. A major highlight of the celebration was the release of a special publication featuring two of Reginald Fernandes’ novels, Arabeska and Zorzorro, compiled into a single volume. The book was officially released by Calangute MLA and GSIDC Chairman Michael Lobo, who lauded DKA’s efforts to preserve and promote Roman Konkani literature. He assured continued support for initiatives aimed at popularising the works of Reginald Fernandes and preserving his literary legacy in Siolim. Speaking on the occasion, editor Fausto V. Da Costa provided insights into the two novels, describing Arabeska as a fantasy tale set in a kingdom ruled by women and Zorzorro as an adventurous story of a young Goan orphan whose life changes after meeting a mysterious character. DKA President Fr. Myron Jeson Barreto highlighted the importance of safeguarding Roman Konkani literature and appealed for greater recognition of the language within the framework of the Official Language Act. The programme began with the garlanding of Reginald Fernandes’ portrait and featured a musical tribute with songs composed by the renowned novelist. The celebration concluded with a renewed call to preserve Goa’s rich literary heritage and ensure that future generations continue to engage with the timeless works of Reginald Fernandes.

ENCOURAGE ROMI KONKANI
Goan Observer has decided to encourage Romi Konkani. We have sought the assistance of stalwarts like Tomazinho Cardoza to help us edit and produce part of the Goan Observer in romi Konkani, we would be happy to publish original writings in romi Konkani. This is by way of making amends for endorsing nagri Konkani as the official language of Goa. In any case there is nothing official about nagri Konkani. The state government has repeatedly put Marathi on par with Konkani for every official purpose. Invitations are published in four languages — English, Hindi, Marathi and Devanagri Konkani. The official language status of Konkani has never been accepted by the Maharashtra-centric governments of Goa.
IN the run up to the elections in early 2027 all Goans should demand equal status for romi Konkani along with nagri Konkani. All Catholic MLAs should be given notice that the minority community will not vote for them if romi Konkani is not given equal status before the elections are announced. The time starts now.