At the time of the colonial rule in Goa, in the early sixteenth century, Konkani and Marathi were the languages prevailing here. Authors differ as to whether both languages were written or Marathi alone was the literary language and Konkani, the spoken language. Noted Goan historian Panduranga Pisurlenkar observes: “If the language spoken in Goa is Konkani, the literary language of the Goan Hindus is traditionally Marathi. Cunha Rivara and Mons. Sebastiao Rodolfo Dalgado believed that there was literature in Konkani language and that it was destroyed by the Portuguese due to religious intolerance. We may, however, note that the Portuguese territory of Goa before 1763 consisted only of the Old Conquests namely Tiswadi, Salcete and Bardez; the rest of the same territory was not under the Portuguese rule. It is therefore logical that had there been any book or document written in this language it would have been found in the New Conquests. The truth is that there are no vestiges whatsoever of the existence of a Konkani literature before the conquest of Goa by the Portuguese. There was certainly literature in Goa but written in Marathi and Sanskrit”. (Goa Pre Portuguesa attraves dos escritores lusitanos dos seculos XVI &XVII, pp 49 et seq).
The late Konkani writer and researcher Fr Antonio Pereira remarks: “Marathi was the hieratic language of Goa though not understood by the masses for which Konkani was more familiar and homely, ‘lingua da terra vulgar’, the popular language of the place. After the Portuguese conquest, foreign missionaries wrote Konkani in the Roman script. “As a rule the majority of the books of the Jesuits and Franciscans in prose are in Konkani and those in poetry are in Marathi”. (The Makers of the Konkani Literature, p.117).
Konkani is the mother tongue of the people of Goa, Marathi is and has always been the literary language of a large segment of our population. During the colonial rule some children would study at the Marathi primary schools and then enroll themselves in the Portuguese Lyceum. They performed as well, as their counterparts who did their entire education through the Portuguese medium.
There are several states in the country which recognise one language and two scripts and both scripts are treated equally by the government. In Rajasthan, Sindhi is written in Perso-Arabic (commonly known as the Sindhi script) as well as in Devanagari. Similarly in Gujarat, Sindhi is written in Perso-Arabic as well as in the Gujarati script. Sindhi in Devanagari is recognised in both these states though less than 10 per cent of the Sindhi speakers use Devanagari. Both scripts are recognised and treated equally by the two state governments for all purposes including school education.
In West Bengal, Santhali, which is also a language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution, is written in the Ol Chiki as well as in the Devanagari script. Both scripts are recognised and treated equally by the West Bengal government.
Regarding Konkani too, both scripts should be treated at par for all purposes. However, it would be advisable and in the interest of the young students to learn Konkani in schools through the Devanagari script only. The reason is that children will learn the Roman script through the study of English which is required for international communication. Devanagari is very important for access to Indian culture and other Indian languages.
In emerging India it will be necessary to be fluent in at least two Indian languages including Hindi, for success in the mainstream economy and society. The importance of national languages and the sense of national cultural identity is growing in every country in Asia and India is not and should not be an exception. English is at present the main international language. In this globalised world, proficiency in English is useful.
The Konkani speaking population that writes in the Roman script constitutes a very substantial percentage of the total Konkani population of Goa. They are entitled to the same safeguards and protection available to those who write Konkani in Devanagari. This is their constitutional right and it flows from Article 29(1) and several other provisions of the Constitution. Konkani writers in Roman script should have access to literary awards, representation in literary bodies, financial assistance etc to the same extent as those writing in Devanagari.
In Goa, the medium of instruction at primary level ought to be either Konkani or Marathi. Konkani is the official language of Goa and Marathi is and has always been the literary language of a large segment of our population. An essential prerequisite in this regard is that schools should be equipped with qualified teachers and textbooks need to be revised to make elementary education a rewarding and enjoyable experience for the children.
It is necessary to have Konkani teachers’ training programmes and there should also be projects to sensitise parents as to the need for their children to learn in their mother tongue. The state government and the schools may collaborate with the West Zone Cultural Centre under the Union ministry of culture to conduct programmes for the children so that they appreciate their national heritage and culture. There are also private organisations such as SPIC MACAY and INTACH that conduct similar courses for children.
(Eduardo Faleiro is a former Union minister)
