Konkani Association of California. panchadik Copyright 2010 Konkani Association of California (KAOCA) All rights reserved.

Transcription

1 Konkani Association of California panchadik 2010 (January April) Copyright 2010KonkaniAssociationofCalifornia (KAOCA) Allrightsreserved.

2 Table of Contents 1. President s Corner Talent Day Kidz Korner Origin of Konkani Surnames Do you know our Amchis? Copyright 2010KonkaniAssociationofCalifornia (KAOCA) Allrightsreserved. 2

3 1. President's Corner Namaskaru, KAOCA is in its 26th year now. Time sure flies! Let us welcome this year as a year of hope, that we will regenerate and empower ourselves and our community. We must always remember that we are not solely individuals, but part of a community. Our concentric circles begin with our family and then move outward to include our community. For this year our mission is Bringing Generations together. We want to connect together generations of yesterday, today and tomorrow and create a vibrant and a lively community. On similar lines, our entertainment theme will be Something for Everyone and we will use Art and Culture as a medium to strengthen our mission. We started this year with a survey for additional events and the community voted the top two events namely Classical Concert and Disco Dandia in addition to the traditional events. Our first successful event for this year, Samsaar Paadvo aka Ugadi (Gudi Padwa) Function was held on 27th March, 2010 at the Sunnyvale Hindu Temple. The response to the event was overwhelming. We had over 400 community members who enjoyed the evening as much as we did putting this event together to make it memorable. We had an exciting entertainment program-- one that covered all generations, authentic Konkani food for both Tannik and Dinner and to round up we had the DJ music. The evening began with Tannik. Buns, Shevayi and Narayankatar were the highlights. The entertainment Copyright 2010KonkaniAssociationofCalifornia (KAOCA) Allrightsreserved. 3

4 program started with the Commencing Prayer which was followed by Classical Piano, Folk Dance, Ras Leela, Classical Singing, Hindustani vocal, Western fusion dance, Bharatnatyam, Bollywood songs and dance. Tim White, an accomplished musician in the Bay area played Sitar for the audience. He was accompanied on the Tabla by Rattu Lamba and by Jack Gates on the guitar. They performed some melodious Basant/Spring ragas. The entertainment program was followed by dinner and the highlights were gajabaje, jain curry, avanase ambe sasam and Garayi. DJ music followed and we had scores of people dancing to the tunes of yesteryear and current songs. We have a line-up of events for the remainder of this year: Talent Day/Sports Day May Annual Picnic August Classical Concert September Disco Dandia October Diwali November We hope to see you at all these events. To contribute to Panchadik, please submit your items to panchadik@kaoca.org On behalf of the 2010 KAOCA committee, our best wishes to all the KAOCA members. Together we can Together we will make a difference and make a better community. Warm Regards, Sulatha and Ananth Copyright 2010KonkaniAssociationofCalifornia (KAOCA) Allrightsreserved. 4

5 2. Talent Day/Sports Day and Volunteering Drive Our next event is Talent day to be held on 23rd May 2010, at the Milpitas Sports Center. We have expanded the scope of the traditional sports day into a talent day. In addition to sports, the Konkani community will get a chance to showcase their talent in other areas such as poetry and art. Additionally, we are jointly organizing a Volunteering Drive with the Second Harvest Food Bank at the same time. Your participation on this day will help KAOCA achieve its goal of making a meaningful contribution to society. Copyright 2010KonkaniAssociationofCalifornia (KAOCA) Allrightsreserved. 5

6 3. KIDZ KORNER Hello Amchi Kidz! Kidz Korner is a fun filled section in KAOCA s Panchadik for us Amchi Kidz! We have news and reports on hobbies, travel, sports, quizzes, jokes, videos and other cool stuff. To publish your articles, please send them to kidzkorner@kaoca.com For the Month of May, we start off with a tribute to our dear mothers, followed by an interview with Mihika Gokarn, who visited Shirali in India. Find some cool videos and puzzles at the end! Enjoy! Divya Rao & Ronak Mundkur Kidz Korner Editors Copyright 2010KonkaniAssociationofCalifornia (KAOCA) Allrightsreserved. 6

7 A Tribute to Mother You brought me into this world, Your heart filled with happiness and hope, Your hands holding me with ever loving gentleness. Each day since, you have nurtured me with kindness, Patiently watching me grow amidst my playfulness. As I grow and I know, I have every bit of your support, To be the person you will be proud of someday soon! - Ronak Mundkur Interview with Mihika Gokarn Mihika Gokarn recently visited Shirali, India. We were able to interview her to find out how she connected with her native roots Editors: When did you visit Shirali and why? Mihika: In December 2009, I visited Shirali, India with my entire family for the NRI Shibir at the Shirali Math. Editors: And the purpose of the Shibir? Mihika: Visit the Shirali math, near by temples, maths, getting to meet Copyright 2010KonkaniAssociationofCalifornia (KAOCA) Allrightsreserved. 7

8 with our spiritual leader, Param Poojya Sadyojat Shankarashram Swamiji to understand his message to us NRI s. It was a delightful experience! Editors: What all did you see? Mihika: We saw the Shri Chitrapur Math, the museum with its historic artifacts, the farms, the gardens around and the Goshala (cattle pen). I especially liked watching the young water buffalo calf, Arundatti. I also got to see the huge horns of the bull. Editors: Can you tell us what you saw in the museum? Mihika: The Museum was filled with rare artifacts made of stone, bronze or brass, dating as far back as 5000 years, our Konkani scriptures written on delicate wood bark scrolls, the Wrataa used for the Car Festival. The artifacts had been handed to the leaders of our Math over the past 300 years by locals that found them while tilling the soil! Editors: Did you also get to visit the beautiful beaches in the area? Mihika: Yes we did. I especially liked the Bailur beach, where we spent time on the sand with PP Swamiji. We also visited the Bailur temple. Editors: What message did PP Swamiji give you? Mihika: He requested us to learn the Devnagari script and the Sanskrit Copyright 2010KonkaniAssociationofCalifornia (KAOCA) Allrightsreserved. 8

9 language, so we could understand our scriptures. He also gave his love and blessings to all the NRI children in our community. To the embarrassment of my parents, my kid brother, Aalok boldly requested him for a snack. PP Swamiji smiled and gave us a chocolate each! Editors: Thank you Mihika, for sharing your experience together with your siblings and parents, connecting with your roots in India. Tweener Tip#1: So what do I do when homework, test preparation, extra curricular activities fill up my week? I watch a YouTube Video like this one that decompresses me: Cute Puppies Tweener Tip#2: And if it s cold and rainy outside, here s another cool video to get you pumped up! Big Avalanches Can you figure out these anagrams? 1. Tad Oily 2. Ark I Up 3. As Sigh Answers will be posted in the next newsletter. Hint: You might find some of these on the KAOCA dinner menu Bye friends Go Green, Have Fun, Stay Safe! Copyright 2010KonkaniAssociationofCalifornia (KAOCA) Allrightsreserved. 9

10 4. Origin Of Konkani Surnames Members of the KAOCA community have very different origins in India. Some of these origins have manifested themselves in the "surname" that we use, even today. To better understand how our surnames have evolved over the past several generations, we provide a brief perspective on some of the more common konkani surnames in the community. Mythologically, we are descendents of clan brought by Lord Parsurama, who created Goa by throwing his axe into the sea, and reclaimed the land mass and arrange to settle ninety-six families from ten gothras he had led to the new land. Historically, when the religion was reaching its nadir, the king who had learned that highly educated and spiritual commune can be found in Trihut region (present day Mithila in Bihar), he sent his emissary with a request to loan him such persons for uplift of his subjects. The king of Trihut sent ninety-six (is it a coincidence?) families from ten gothras to the new land to propagate religion and philosophy. These families were settled in two different parts of the region. Thirty families were grouped in one commune, and sixty-six in other. The first commune was known as Tiswadys, and the other Shashatis among themselves, and the locals used to call them as a member of Shanavis. Saha means six and Navi means ninety, and our ancestors were known as a family of ninety-six. The word sahanavi later became Shenvi, and then to modern Shenoy or Shanbhag. There exist regions known as Tisuary and Salcette (Portuguese pronunciation of Shashasti) in Goa. The families from Trihut mingled with the locals taught them and imparted knowledge for which they were brought, and in return started amassing wealth, buying lands, Copyright 2010KonkaniAssociationofCalifornia (KAOCA) Allrightsreserved. 10

11 learnt feudalism and slowly became owners of village and rule over the locals. They built temples, started trading and became one of the locals, but with a difference. The difference was the Name. The strongest survives or rules over, and our ancestors were no different. Pai in our language means foot or leg. The common person who had not amassed wealth or power was known as Pai. Their job was menial in maintaining ledgers, doing clerical and odd jobs. The promotions were also there and your surname will change according to the promotion. The Pai who was writing ledgers, were promoted to become Shanbhags (clerks), and to other titles. A person maintaining statistics was called Karni. Land was called Nadu, and the person maintaining land records was known as Nadkarni, and Kulkarni maintained census, and social register. The main source of income was from agriculture, and the person experienced in soil mechanics, agro-science was called Kamathi. Mathi means soil and Kama is work, that is working in soil (Kama + Mathi). In Konkani even today we call kamathi not kamath or kamat. Cultivation of herbs for medicinal purpose was rule of the day. The concoction was prepared and dispensed by Vaidya, and the herbs were cultivated by Kinvis, presently called Kini or Keni. The animals required for tilling, transportation and other works were under Haya- Gade (actually Horse tenderer), modernized to Hegde. The daily requirements of every family for survival, presentations, etc were the responsibility of the Ballo. There is another theory that reveals that the foot soldier with a spear was called Ballo. The soldier Ballo (Baliga) was under the command of Nayak. Copyright 2010KonkaniAssociationofCalifornia (KAOCA) Allrightsreserved. 11

12 The Brahmins from Trihutpura became feudal lord, and fancied himself as "The Lord" and was called Prabhu. He lived in a palatial home called mahal, and the caretaker was known as Mahalyar, presently modernized to Mallya. The religion was the center of attraction, and every hamlet, village town had one or more temples. Poojas were performed in every home almost daily. There used be a congregation in the temple everyday to listen to recitation of puranas or other subjects. The poojas in the big temple and its rituals were under Acharya, and in small temples conducted by Bhat. Every family had exclusive priest to perform the rites, and he was the family Purohit. Puraniks recited the kathas and puranas in the temples. The temples were administered by Mahajans and its stores by Bhandari. The village godown was also under the Bhandari or Bhandarkar. Kudva did fabricating tools and tackles (the village blacksmith). Every hamlet had the same profession and hence the limited family names. To differentiate between two prabhus or pais, the person started calling himself from the particular hamlet or village, such as Gokul Shenvi Kakodkar, or Prakash Pai Angle. The word 'Kar" means "From" or citizen of. Thus kakodkar means person from village kakod. This enabled one to identify the profession and the domicile. The Portuguese invasion made people migrate to Ratnagiri in North and entire coast in the South, and slowly the local influence crept into the culture. In Karnataka, the village of refuge was used as a prefix to call oneself Padbidri Mohandas Prabhu, or Kinnigoli Ramanath Kamath, et all. The kerala civilization induced the name of the house or the exact area rather than the village, and in some places, the present profession was also added to the name. So we have today, Thayyil Copyright 2010KonkaniAssociationofCalifornia (KAOCA) Allrightsreserved. 12

13 Muralidhar Kamath (Thayyil means tailoring house), or Kannaparambil Gopalakrishna Pai (Parambil means garden or farm belonging to kannan). Today the name has no links with the profession. Mallya owns land, and Kini is a soldier; Prabhu works for Kamath, and Pai owns the land. The names are stuck, even though the profession is not. But then what's in a name. A rose is a rose is a rose, even if called by any other name. Copyright 2010KonkaniAssociationofCalifornia (KAOCA) Allrightsreserved. 13

14 5. Do you know our Amchis? As part of our Panchadhik issue, we are introducing a section called "Do you know our Amchis?" This section is about a series of questions we pose to a KAOCA family and their responses. The idea among other things, is to use this as a medium to best get to know our community members and realize our mission of bringing the generations together. In this issue, we profile Ramesh and Pratibha Kamath as they provide an insight into their lives. PCK: Panchadik RK: Ramesh Kamath PCK: Can you briefly tell us about your journey from India to the US? RK: This was the first time I travelled by plane and was anxious about it. When I got to the airport there was another passenger, a marwadi, I guess. About 50 people were at the airport to see him off. He was garlanded with dry fruits and lots of rupee notes. Once in plane he started eating the dry fruit from his garland and was saving the cheese pieces that came with the meal. All the tension I was in, was gone watching this guy in action. PCK: Can you briefly share your experiences of living in the US? RK: Our initial thought was to return to India in 5 years. It is now close to 40 years and we feel very comfortable here. Both career and social life in this country are exactly what we had dreamed of. It is Copyright 2010KonkaniAssociationofCalifornia (KAOCA) Allrightsreserved. 14

15 true that in this country there is reward for hard work. Life here is a continuous challenge but the equal opportunity and the respect and support by friends makes it easier to deal with. PCK: What are the 3 important things you would include in your things-to-do-list? RK: Don't forget your background and where you came from. Help the needy Konkanis in India. Be a responsible citizen. Follow the law and treat people with respect. Family comes first. Pay attention and take care of family to keep every one happy. PCK: Tell us about something you would happily do again. RK: Should we say to host a Konkani Convention again in 2018? PCK: Tell us about someone you really admire. RK: In Konkani community here in Bay area we admire Hundi Kamath. He is a learned man and is very helpful. His knowledge base is vast. We trust him for his advice and foresight PCK: Tell us about your favorite holiday destination RK: Our favorite holiday destination is Egypt. The history and the engineering achievement of that country is admirable. For leisure we like Hawaii of course. PCK: If you have to verbalize a slogan for your life - something you live by, like a principle - what would it be? RK: It is an old saying, which is also my slogan- "Let no one tell you what you can and cannot do. Do what your gut tells you to do" PCK: If you could give the Konkani community in Bay Area one piece of advice, what would it be? Copyright 2010KonkaniAssociationofCalifornia (KAOCA) Allrightsreserved. 15

16 RK: We are a family at this distant place. Let us help each other, forget petty differences, and do all you can to foster a happy Konkani community. ` Copyright 2010KonkaniAssociationofCalifornia (KAOCA) Allrightsreserved. 16