Language, Music, Films, Cuisine, Media and Cultural exchanges could become powerful tools in bringing communities closer together | Global TV
NV Paulose, Chairman, Global TV +91 98441 82044
Mangaluru: A renewed effort to strengthen the historic and cultural ties between the Goan and Mangalorean communities took centre stage at a special gathering in Mangaluru, where community leaders, journalists, cultural activists and business personalities came together to discuss the shared heritage of Konkani-speaking people.
The event celebrated the long-standing relationship between Goa and Mangaluru while highlighting the need to transform historical goodwill into meaningful cultural collaboration. Speakers stressed that language, music, films, cuisine and cultural exchanges could become powerful tools in bringing the two communities closer together.
Opening the programme, Mr. Gilbert D’Souza recalled that the desire to strengthen ties between Goa and Mangaluru dates back several decades. He noted that many Mangaloreans had travelled to Goa during the exposition of the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier, where they experienced the warmth and hospitality of the Goan people. Since then, there has been a strong wish among many to foster closer relations between the two regions.
He also acknowledged the contributions of Dr. William Rego, a Mangalorean dentist who has practised in the United Kingdom for more than five decades. Through his efforts in promoting community initiatives and cultural associations, he helped establish stronger links between Goans and Mangaloreans. While these efforts laid an important foundation, speakers felt that much more could still be done to deepen the relationship between the two communities.
Dr. Vivek Mendonsa, Group Director of Lawrence & Mayo, then introduced the veteran Goan journalist Anthony Fernandes, who came all the way from Goa to attend the event despite his demanding professional commitments and personal responsibilities at home. His dedication to strengthening cultural bonds was warmly appreciated by the organisers. In his address, Anthony Fernandes emphasised that Konkani remains one of the strongest links between Goa and Mangaluru. While Goa is predominantly Konkani-speaking, there are also large Konkani-speaking populations across Mangaluru and coastal Karnataka. Despite this shared linguistic heritage, he observed that there has been relatively little interaction between the two communities.
He pointed to Konkani cinema as an example of this disconnect. Films produced in Goa are generally screened only within Goa or occasionally in Mumbai, while Mangalorean Konkani films rarely reach audiences in Goa. As a result, many excellent productions fail to receive the wider appreciation they deserve. According to Fernandes, films, music and cuisine possess the unique ability to transcend geographical boundaries and unite people. He also highlighted the ongoing debate surrounding the various scripts used for Konkani, including Devanagari, Roman, Kannada and Malayalam. Rather than allowing script differences to divide the community, he urged Konkani speakers to focus on the language itself and the shared cultural identity it represents.
He further suggested greater academic collaboration between institutions such as Goa University’s Konkani Department and the Konkani Department at St. Aloysius University in Mangaluru. Such partnerships, he said, would help preserve the language while encouraging greater readership, research and cultural exchange.
The programme also welcomed Rex Fernandes, who has played a significant role in preserving Goa’s heritage by translating Portuguese archival documents. He was recognised not only for his historical work but also for producing a celebrated Konkani feature film that is now being re-screened in Mangaluru after more than a decade.
Speaking at the event, Rex Fernandes explained that the film, originally released in 2014, was created with the objective of celebrating the Konkani language through music, dance and storytelling. Featuring more than twenty-one songs, the film is now being presented to younger audiences in Mangaluru to strengthen their connection with their mother tongue and shared cultural roots.
He observed that today’s younger generation is increasingly interested in reconnecting with fellow Konkani-speaking communities across Goa, Mangaluru, Udupi, Karwar and even parts of coastal Kerala. Language, he said, naturally creates a sense of belonging and opens the door to stronger friendships and community life. Along with language, cultural exchanges through music, dance, food, cinema and media can help remove barriers that have existed for generations.
The discussion also turned to the many cultural similarities shared by Goa and Mangaluru. Speakers praised the rich coastal cuisine of both regions, noting that while each has its own distinctive flavours, both reflect a common heritage. Visitors from Goa also appreciated Mangaluru’s hospitality, clean surroundings and vibrant cultural atmosphere.
Emphasising the importance of national unity, participants remarked that India’s cultural diversity should be celebrated through mutual respect and understanding. Festivals, traditions, clothing, music and cuisine all provide opportunities for communities to appreciate one another while strengthening social harmony across regions and religions.
In his concluding remarks, prominent businessman and host Gilbert D’Souza highlighted Mangaluru’s growing role as a centre for Konkani culture. He spoke about the World Konkani Centre, one of the leading institutions dedicated to preserving and promoting the Konkani language and its rich heritage. He spoke about Mandd Sobhann, the premier Konkani cultural organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Konkani culture, language, and heritage. He encouraged visitors from Goa to experience its activities firsthand and to participate in the many literary and cultural programmes organised throughout the year. He also referred to the annual Konkani cultural events and music festivals held in Mangaluru, expressing hope that greater participation from Goans would encourage reciprocal visits by Mangaloreans to Goa for similar programmes.
The meeting concluded on an optimistic note, with participants agreeing that the future of the Konkani-speaking community lies in stronger cooperation, greater cultural exchange and sustained efforts to bridge regional divides. Through language, arts, education and shared traditions, the gathering reaffirmed that Goa and Mangaluru are connected not only by history but also by a common cultural identity that deserves to be celebrated and strengthened for generations to come.
