Kamat's Potpourri

Amma's Column: An Unique Workshop on Konkani Songs

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 CST

A three day workshop to teach traditional lullabies and nursery rhymes in Konkani was organized in Bangalore recently.

As is known, Konkani people are spread out in all the five states, south of Vindhyas, viz Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Kerala and Tamilnadu. They had to flee from Goa to escape forcible conversion to Christianity by the repressive Portuguese in the 17th century. But they proudly guarded their religion, customs, rituals and most importantly their language all these five centuries. A minority language (except in Goa, a very small state,where it is a state language), in all the states, it is greatly influenced by the regional languages, but has retained its identity. Majority of Konkanis reside in Karnataka, more than 25 lakhs, as per latest census figures, out of about five million of Konkani speaking population world over.

Konkani has remained a spoken language throughout. Traditional and folk songs are fast disappearing due to globalization and all- dominating English language. English has spread as "spoken language" in many metropolitan homes, replacing the ancient Konkani. This has caused lot of concern to some lovers of Konkani language,literature and traditions. Occasionally some institutions organize workshops to teach surviving traditional Konkani songs. The Mangalore based "Konkani bhas ani Sanskriti Pratishthan" (estd 1985) is frequently organizing poet-meets, seminars and workshops to create awareness about fast diminishing mother tongue. The workshop (Karyashala) for teaching children's songs, was such an unique attempt.

The workshop was organized at Kashimath in Malleshwaram between 25th and 27th June 2009. Thirty two participants, most of them housewives from seven districts of Karnataka, attended the workshop enthusiastically. They were eager to learn ancient lullabies and nursery rhymes their grand old ancestors sang while massaging, bathing, feeding and putting to sleep the young ones. The resource person was Chitra Shirali from Dharwad, a well known Konkani radio artiste and writer, assisted ably by Nandita Moodabidri. They taught twenty odd long forgotten lullabies, rhymes and kid-songs. P. Dayananda Pai, a known philanthropist sponsored the program. The radio and television broadcast the news. It proposed to bring out and broadcast the well-knitted program some time in future.

Basti Vaman Shenoy, founder of "Konkani Bhas ani Sanskriti Parishthan" has one more feather in his cap by organizing this program for housewives. A homely and close-to-heart program, it will live forever through the voice of those women who have participated, who are sure to sing and teach them to kids in their respective homes. An attempt is being made to bring out these lullabies and nursery rhymes in cassette and CD form.

AnthoBLOGy: Translation of "Lets Go Play Krishna"

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:00:00 CST

Ever since Amma wrote about saint Shripadacharya and sang "Ada Pogona Baro Ranga" on the phone, I have been mesmerized by the beauty of this medieval song.

Of course, I can't bring out its beauty. But the poet is traveling through time, and inviting Krishna to play with him, and cites all the fantastic occasions and events that Krishna's presence would be required.

Translation of "Ada Pogona Baro Ranga" of Shripadacharya

Let's go Krishna, Let's go for play
on the banks of Yamuna river.

There's an exciting Swayamvara
Janaka's daugher is getting married
Lots of princes are coming, we've heard
You've gotta come Krishna, let's go!

During a gambling contest
the Pandavas lost their kingdom
and are sent to the forest Krishna!
You've gotta to come Krishna. Let's go already!

Hey, there is this girl Rukmini
Daughter of Bhishmak.
She's about to be married to Shishupal.
but she has mailed you a love letter!
C'mon, hurry Krishna, Let's go before it's too late!

Pouring adulation on boy Rama or boy Krishna is not new, but to invite deities for play as if they are equals, is rather uncommon. You can see how the poet mischievously seduces Krishna to come out by telling about Rukmini and should Krishna not come out, Rukmini would wed someone else!

Aperture Photo Blog: Krishna as Thief of Women's Clothes

Fri, 5 Jun 2009 00:00:00 CST

Gopika Vastraharan in Indian Art

The Bhagavata Purana has an episode of how mischievous Krishna hides away all the clothes of girls bathing in the river. The episode provides a lot of fodder for poets, artists and devotees and is an integral part of the Hindu experience.

Here is a collection of pictures culled from our collection that depict the episode of the girls begging Krishna to return their clothes.

(c) K.L.Kamat

Gopika Vastrapaharana (The Stealing of Clothes)
Painting shows Krishna climbing a tree with the clothes of bathing girls

(c) K.L.Kamat

Krishna Climbs a Tree After Stealing Women's Clothes
Gopika Vastraharan as depicted in a Gokarn temple sculpture

Biography: G.V.Hallikeri

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 00:00:00 CST

Supplier of flowers

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 00:00:00 CST

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On The Streets of India

Camels are the Ships of the Desert

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 00:00:00 CST

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Camels of Transport

Horse Mounted Warrior

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:00:00 CST

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A Kshatriya Warrior
Detail from an illustrated manuscript

Gopika-Vastraharan

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:00:00 CST

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Krishna Leela in Indian Art
Detail from a miniature painting, Partakali Math, Goa

Biography: G.V.Patvardhan

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:00:00 CST

Institution of Engineers, India

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:00:00 CST

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Institutions of India

Yashoda Settling a Quarrel Between Krishna and Balaram

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 CST

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Krishna Leela Paintings
Detail of a painting by Shubharay

Maestros Ravishankar (Sitar) and Ali Akbar Khan (Sarod)

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 CST

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Indian Music Archive

Colorful Lasses in Green Background

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 CST

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Life in the Himalayas
O'key loved the Himalayas and would go as often as he could

Krishna and Yashoda, Painting by Shubharaya

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 CST

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Krishna and Yashoda
Solapur Monastery, Solapur

Ustad Ali Akbar Khan (1922-2009)

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 CST

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Ali Akbar Khan
Son of Allauddin Khan, Ali Akbhar Khan himself a great musician of India. He established a school for Sarod.

The Flow of Life

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 CST

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Paintings of Shubharay Maharaj
Detail from a painting of Shubaray Maharaj, Solapur