Mandd Sobhann, the Premier Konkani Cultural Organisation, is organising the First World Konkani Cultural Convention, from November 25 to December 19, 2010 at Mangalore, Karnataka

.

Speaking at the press conference on Saturday about this one of its kind event, Mr Eric Ozario, Gurkaar, Mandd Sobhann stated,

“This is a 25-day world-level Konkani Cultural Festival, in which more than 60 troupes consisting of more than 1000 artistes belonging to various castes, creeds, dialects and regions of Konkani will present Konkani folk, theatre, musical and dance performances.”

The event will host various other programmes like the Konkani Film Festival, Food Festival, Youth Festival, Art Festival, Kavita Fest, Konkani Bazaar, competitions in Konkani games, costumes and cuisine, as well as other world-level events. Also 25 institutions from around the world, which have enriched Konkani culture, will be honoured at the world convention.

The ‘2nd Global Konkani Music Awards’, as well as the ‘6th Carvalho Gharaanne-Thomas Stephen’s Konknni Kendr Kalaakaar Puraskaar’, will also be presented at the occasion.

Mr Ozario, further informed, “The estimated cost for this convention would be around Rs 1.5 crores. The Karnataka State Tourism Minister, Mr B Janardhan Reddy had recently announced that he will be contributing moderate amount of Rs 25 lakhs for the same. We are also approaching Goa government for some financial help, as it is a big project and needs support from others to make it a successful event.”

Later, Mr Tomazinho Cardozo, president of Tiatr Academy stated, “Eric is expert in organising successful events, thus I believe that even this event will be marked memorable. Since the event will be organised at world level, this First World Konkani Cultural Convention will throw an open platform for all artistes to showcase their talent. Therefore, I appeal to Goans to actively participate. Not to miss such opportunities.”

The event was launched on June 20, at Bangalore. Mr B Janardhan Reddy, Minister for Tourism, Government of Karnataka, was the chief guest.

Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat is the chief patron of the World Convention and Mr Manohar Parrikar, the Leader of the Opposition and Mr Louizinho Faleiro, former Chief Minister are among its patrons.

Around 20 to 25 troupes form Goa will be selected to participate. A Curtain-Raiser is planned in the month of July that will be held in Goa.