Report by Vitori Karkal (GA)
Pics – Avinash Kolalgiri

Udupi, Nov 14: A workshop on Konkani voveo-vers (traditional songs sung during the marriage celebrations among the Mangalorean Konkani community) was held in the Souharda Bhavan at Kolalgiri near here on Sunday November 12.  The workshop was organized by Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy.

Konkani Sahitya Academy president Eric Ozario who was also the director of the workshop in his speech stressed need of preserving the rich Konkani culture and traditions and passing them on to the next generation.

Resource persons of the day Irene Rebello and Hilda Moras presented the history of voveo and also taught a few voveo to the gathering.  In the afternoon, Eric Ozario with the help of background music from Ravi Stephen taught vers to the gathering.  A total of 70 persons from Giri and surrounding areas participated in the workshop.

Later 12th Konkani Mhan Monis Ek Mulakhat programme was held in the same auditorium.   Eric Ozario presided over the programme while local businessman Yashwanth Nayak was the chief guest while Kolalgiri parish priest Fr Jerome Monteiro was the guest of honour on the occasion.

Stree Sanghatan president Lucy D’Souza, parish council vice-president Alfred D’Souza, ICYM president Roshan D’Souza were also present on the occasion dais.

Panchkadayi magazine editor Shantaram Baliga and senior Konkani writer and activist Louis D’Almeida were honoured on the occasion. 

Konkani Sahitya Academy member Vitori Karkal welcomed the gathering while Vincent Alva compered the programme and proposed vote of thanks.