KONKANIZ platform launched in Mangaluru to unite Konkani-speaking communities worldwide
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, Sep 16, 2026: A new community-driven platform, KONKANIZ, aimed at bringing together Konkani-speaking communities across the world, was launched in Mangaluru on Wednesday in the presence of representatives from various Konkani-speaking communities.
With the support of Dr Vivek Mendonsa of the Mendonsa Foundation, KONKANIZ seeks to connect people separated by dialects, scripts and geographical boundaries while promoting the shared cultural heritage of the Konkani community.
The platform plans to strengthen these common bonds through activities centred on the Konkani language, cuisine, music, dance, cinema, sports and other cultural traditions.
As part of this broader cultural initiative, the Department of Konkani at St Aloysius (Deemed to be University) will organise a screening of the internationally acclaimed Konkani film ‘Nachom-ia Kumpasar’ at the LCRI Hall on the university campus on Friday, September 18, at 3.45 pm.
The screening is being organised under the leadership of Prof Flora Castelino, Head of the Department of Konkani, in association with Rex Fernandes and Bardroy Barretto, director, writer and producer of the film.
Produced by Goa Folklore Productions, Nachom-ia Kumpasar is based on Goa’s vibrant music scene of the 1960s and 1970s and draws inspiration from the lives and music of legendary Goan musicians. The film has received 24 international honours, three National Awards and 10 Goa State Awards, and has been screened at several international film festivals.
The organisers said the screening is intended to strengthen cultural ties between Goa and Karnataka, which share historical links through the Konkani language, migration, music, cuisine, faith and family connections.
Speaking about the initiative, Prof Flora Castelino said creative expressions such as cinema, drama, literature and music could help younger generations understand and appreciate the cultural relationship between Goa and Karnataka.
Rex Fernandes said the film was a tribute to Konkani music and musicians and expressed happiness that it was being screened at an institution with a long association with Konkani language and culture.
Bardroy Barretto said the shared language, music, food, memories and people had helped maintain connections between Goa and Karnataka across generations.
The organisers said KONKANIZ envisages a continuing cultural exchange between Goa and Karnataka through cinema, theatre, music, dance, food festivals, literature, heritage programmes and sports.
The press meet was attended by Dr Vivek Mendonsa, H.M. Pernal, Rex Fernandes, Antonio Fernandes and Titus Noronha.