Media Release
Panaji, May 11: “We Goans have gone stray from our culture. So there is a need to revisit our culture,” said deputy chief minister Francis D’Souza.
He spoke as the chief guest at a well attended function, after releasing the Konknni novel ‘Sankoll’ written by novelist Bonaventure D’Pietro, published by Dalgado Konknni Akademi (DKA), at Goa State Museum Hall, Patto, Panjim recently.
Fr Conceicao D’Silva, parish priest of Taleigao Church, novelist Bonaventure D’Pietro, DKA President Premanand A Lotlikar and secretary Jose Salvador Fernandes were present on the dais.
“Today we Goans have no time to follow our rich and meaningful culture. That is why we do not see the unity of yesteryears of people in the ward or village at the time of wedding, where all used to come together and celebrate the wedding culture in different ways,” said deputy chief minister by referring to the ‘Sankoll’ novel which is based on the research work of different customs and traditions of Christian weddings in different taluks of Goa. Because of modern and fast life, the Goans has forgotten their culture so much, now there is a need to go back and revisit the culture, he added.
He congratulated novelist Bonaventure D’Pietro for preserving rich and colourful culture of Christian weddings of Goa in the form of novel, and also congratulated DKA for organising the function in a unique manner.
As a supplement to the novel, an audio CD titled ‘Sankoll’ is also available along with the book, which contains traditional folk songs, ‘Zoti’ or ‘Vers’, sung during weddings, lyrics of which find mention in the novel.
DKA secretary Jose Salvador Fernandes assessed the ‘Sankoll’ novel from the social, cultural, literary and research point of view.
The highlight of the function was the sweets used at the time of wedding, and a bride and bridegroom marching towards chief guest with wrapped copies of ‘Sankoll’ novel to be released.
President Premanand A. Lotlikar welcomed the gathering, DKA member Brenda Menezes proposed the vote of thanks, DKA treasurer Walter Menezes compered the function.