Mangaluru: Konkani Sahitya Academy Celebrates Christmas during Pilikula Habba

Bellevision Media Network

Mangaluru, 26 Dec 2015: Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy celebrated Christmas, as part of the ongoing Pilikula Habba at the Pilikula Nisargadhama here, on Friday December 25.

 

Speaking on the occasion, the Academy president Roy Castelino said, ‘Its the first time that Pilikula Nisargadhama is celebrating festivals of different religions. On December 24, we had celebrated Eid-Milad and today, we are celebrating Christmas. The Beary and Kodava Sahitya Academy will jointly organize Pilikula Habba on Saturday December 26. All 5 Academies will present their shows during valedictory ceremony here on Sunday December 27,’ said Roy.

 

 

He further said that being December 25; Konkani Sahitya Academy has taken the leadership to celebrate the Christmas. ‘Konkani is the mother tongue of people of all 3 major religions – Hindus, Christians and Muslims – but today being Christmas day; we thought to celebrate it in a befitting manner. We have arranged traditional Carols in Hindi, Konkani and other regional languages and Christmas Khel,’ said Roy.

 

Santa Claus along with his entourage went on a door-to-door meeting, wishing everyone Merry Christmas. A volleyball match was also held on the occasion. ‘We have got an opportunity to celebrate Christmas and promote communal harmony in the coastal region,’ said Roy.

 

Dakshina Kannada district Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim said, ‘We are organizing programmes in Pilikula every month. This is the grand finale of the entire year and so, we thought of celebrating it for 4-day to reflect on the coastal societies, the culture of Tulu, Beary and Konkani speaking people together coupled with Christmas. Even though, the response now is not so good, in the coming years we will get a good response. These kinds of programmes are being held to bring the people together. We had a Christmas procession, so that people get to know what is Christmas and understand the meaning of festivals. I hope that the Pilikula Habba will serve its purpose and bring communal harmony, which has been continually strained in the coastal region,’ said DC Ibrahim.

 

Dr Shivarama Karanth Pilikula Nisargadhama executive director Prabhakar Sharma said that every month, various programmes are organized in Pilikula. ‘This is a festive season and we thought of holding a unique programme. Due to the holidays, we thought of holding a 4r-day programme. On December 24, the Tulu Academy organized cultural programmes. On December 25, Konkani Academy has organized Christmas celebrations. We have also organized men’s volleyball and the winners were awarded cash prizes of Rs 6,000, Rs 5,000 and Rs 4,000 along with the trophies. The men’s volleyball has attracted more youth to take part in the tournament. On 26th, we will have cultural programmes organized by the Beary and the Arebhasha Samskriti academies. There are a plethora of cultural programmes so that people can come and enjoy,’ said Sharma.

 

There were spot games, carol singing, selfie with Santa, exhibition-cum-sale of Kuswar – homemade goodies and cakes. People from all walks of life enjoyed the Christmas celebrations at Pilikula.