| Goa’s literature is as fascinating as the land itself. Goa is a very small state of India, previously ruled by the Portuguese. This colony had the distinction of being the first place in Asia, to be installed with a printing press in the year 1550. The Portuguese invaders believed very much in meticulous record- keeping. After being ruled for more than two centuries, the cultures, traditions, languages have been all mixed together forming an amalgamation of the Goan society. Goa although, had its own problems like language barriers and censorship. The people had ultimately no choice, but to adapt to writing in languages that had their origins in Europe |
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| European influence |
| Since a long time Goans are known to have written in 13 languages, but English was predominant, while Portuguese, Marathi & Konkani were also used widely. Presently Goans speak and read in different languages but the most influential of them as stated is English, while Konkani is vastly spoken, it is the Official language of the state. Marathi too, is widely accepted and a followed language of Goa |
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| Some scholars of Goan literature have come to the conclusion that Goan writing in English dates back to the early nineteenth century. At that time, lots of migrations had been occurring for better employment opportunities in the so called British colonies |
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| It is also evident that contributions from all over India as well European literature have been made in Portuguese writings & literature in the past so many years by people of Goa |
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| Some of the more prominent Goan writers are |
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- R V Pandit
- Lino Litao
- Pundalik Naik
- Maria Aurora Couto
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| Konkani Literature in Goa |
| Konkani literature in Goa is perfectly mirrored in its immeasurable treasure of poetry, short stories, essays, novels, drama, travelogues and journalistic works, also including literature for children. Konkani poetry`s existence before the arrival of Portuguese is very often considered probable, as is palpable from the Konkani song penned by Namdeo (1st century). There exists mention of a poem dedicated to `passion` by Gaspar de Miguel (16th century). Hindu devotional poetry had prospered among the Konkanis of Kerala during the last decades of 17th century with Sant Appayya, Raghavdas, Jogavva and Avadi. The tradition is very much kept breathing to this day by Kamalamal, Narahari Prabhu and Suhas Dalal. Bayabhau, also known as Kashinath Sridhar Naik, in fact had begun the revival of poetry in Konkani literature. Bakibab Borkar, or Balkrishna Bhagwant Borkar, is viewed for the most part as a lyric poet addressing the grand themes of love and destiny. Manoharrai Sardesai brought picturesque ness and simplicity to Konkani poetry. R V Pandit had successfully experimented with free verse and verily portrayed the quandary of the oppressed |
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| Spread of Konkani literature in Goa also was fortunate to have Pandurang Bhangui, who had incessantly rendered majestically outlined and introspective verses. Nagesh Karmali unrelentingly engages himself in a war against social injustice, inequality, ignorance and insincerity. Shankar Ramani`s poetry is melodious to the ear each time one reds through; Madhav Borkar is terse, abstract and appealing at the same time. Ramesh Veluskar in Konkani literature possesses novelty even though he is envisioning sensuous nature. Prakash Padgaokar`s fashion in Konkani poetry is exceedingly lyrical and expressive. Shivanand Tendulkar is non-conformist on purpose and makes use of bold imagery. CP F D`costa`s poetic style possesses a bevy of wealth of images and ideas. Punalik Naik brings to one`s memory extraordinary thoughts of vigour and exaltation. Moridas (also acknowledged as Anthony D`souza), J B Morais, Yeshwant Kelekar, Uday Bhembro, Hardatt Khandeparkar, Sanjeev Verekar, Nayana Adarkar, Maya Kharangate, Prakash Dattaram Naik, Jess Fernandes, Suresh Borkar, Bharat Naik, R Ramanath, Paresh Kamat, Bhicaji Ghanekar, Fr Moreno de souza, Shankar Bhandari, Vijaya Sarmalkar , Nutan Sakhardande are the other stupendous bunch of poets in the advancing Konkani literature |
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| Konkani literature in Goa, however, is not just restricted to poetry and its umpteen styles, the literary genre also possesses a wealth of short stories passed down from generation to generation in a perpetual practice. Modern short story n Konkani begins with Shenoi Goembab (also respected as Vaman Raghunath Varde Valaulikar). In his short stories, Varde Valaulikar portrays characters shifted far away from the beaten path, to drive home to his readers his advice of self-control, tolerance and justice. At once a journalist and writer, Chandrakant Keni`s short stories emote simplicity and possesses an intense concern for human beings, their inconveniences, pains, grief and joys |
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