Konkani Adhyayana Peetha

About the Centre

Installation ceremony of Konkani Adhyayana Peetha of Mangalore University was held on 22-06-2015 at University college, Mangalore. Sri R.V Deshpande, Higher Education Minister of Government of Karnataka inaugurated the function. Honourable Minister stressed the need for safe- guarding the culture and heritage of Konkani community. Also he emphasized to take up research work in Konkani communities such as Kudubi, Gowli etc. Prof Byrappa K, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of Mangalore University presided over the function. He urged the need for conducting inter-disciplinary study to find out unique features of Konkani speaking communities of Karnataka. Sri Nalin Kumar Kateel, Member of Parliament, Mr J.R Lobo, Member of Legislative Assembly, Sri Ivan D’Souza, Member of Legislative Council, Rev. Arch Bishop of Mangalore Province, Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Mayor of Mangalore City Corporation, Mrs Jacinta V Alfred, Roy Castelino, President of Konkani Sahitya Academy, BastiVamanShenoy, Sri Eric Ozerio were present during the function.

Preamble:

Konkani is an Indo-Aryan language. It belongs to the Indo-European family of languages and is spoken in the Konkan coast of India. This region comprises the Konkan division of Maharashtra, Goa, Canara, i.e. coastal Karnataka, and a few pockets in Kerala. Depending upon the region, the language has a different dialect, pronunciation style, vocabulary, tone and significant differences in grammar. Konkani is the official language in the Indian state of Goa and is one of the official languages of India. Despite a 5000 year old heritage, encompassing a rich cultural variety perhaps unmatched in diversity in proportion to its population, the Konkani language sadly continues to suffer neglect and faces the threat of extinction. In this context, during the year 2014-15 Government of Karnataka has released a grant of Rs 2 Crore for the establishment of Konkani Adhyayana Peetha in Mangalore University to promote the interest of Konkani language, culture and heritage.

1. OBJECTIVES:

To focus on Genomics of Konkani speaking community to trace their origin and genetic factor for their intellectual ability
To undertake socio-economic, historical and cultural study of the Konkani speaking people.
To conduct seminars, workshops and conferences with a special focus on Linguistics, Literature, History, Social Studies and Culture pertaining to Konkani Language and people.
To study the religious beliefs and practices, folk traditions and performing arts of the Konkani people.
To explore and record the varied ethnographical and sociological facets of Konkani community.
To promote inter-disciplinary research in Konkani culture and heritage.
To foster inter-language studies to promote national integration.
To establish a network of all Konkani Institutes to leverage resources and conduct programs.
To attempt fund raising for Konkani language related activities from local philanthropists, and also national and international funding agencies.
To create an archive to preserve the documents pertaining to Konkani history and culture.
To promote formal education in Konkani at University level.
To guide the Ph.D students who undertake research work in the area of Konkani community.