Now Reading: Konkani storytelling competition marks 25 years
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Konkani storytelling competition marks 25 years
A Konkani storytelling competition for schoolchildren, the Shennoi Goembab Katha Mala, has completed 25 years. Started in 2001-02 by the Konkani Bhasha Mandal to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Vaman Raghunath…
A Konkani storytelling competition for schoolchildren, the Shennoi Goembab Katha Mala, has completed 25 years. Started in 2001-02 by the Konkani Bhasha Mandal to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Vaman Raghunath Varde Valaulikar, revered as Shennoi Goembab, the event has grown from a handful of taluka-level contests into a state-wide exercise covering 20 centres, around 180 judges, and over a hundred volunteers, all running on a single day.
Jnanpith awardee Damodar Mauzo, Mandal president when the idea was conceived, said the objective was to propagate Konkani at the grassroots. The competition's format has evolved, with online editions held during the pandemic. Anant Agni, who has served as organiser, judge, and parent, called it a meaningful initiative that complements the National Education Policy by promoting skill development through the mother tongue.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The Shennoi Goembab Katha Mala's longevity is notable because Konkani, though an official language of Goa, competes with English, Marathi, and Portuguese in education and daily use. The competition's model, getting children to read multiple stories and narrate one, builds vocabulary and confidence in a low-pressure setting. Alumni have credited it for oratory skills used in careers from medicine to film. The National Education Policy 2020 emphasises mother-tongue instruction, giving such grassroots initiatives a policy-level boost. The next milestone to watch is whether the Mandal can expand the competition to more centres or integrate it into the school curriculum.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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