The small and well-knit Goan community in New Zealand observed the ‘World Goa Day’ with justifiable pride and joy taking to theatre (‘Tiatr’ as Goans call it in their native Konkani language), last fortnight in Auckland.
Appropriately titled, ‘Ugddas’ (Remembrance), the play featured a number of first-timers including Berson Coutinho, Christopher Carvalho, Sasha & Iyron D’Silva and Michelle Carvalho.
GOANZ, an organisation representing the people of Goa, organised the programme at the Freemans Bay Community Hall on August 20.
President Corvin Carvalho said the performance of Sasha and Michelle received repeated audience applause since they do not speak the language.
He said the Association has been celebrating World Goa Day since 2000 with a Konkani drama to provide homegrown entertainment to the members of the community and encourage youngsters to learn the language, culture, cuisine and history of Goa and its people.
“The sixth annual event was the culmination of the efforts of the members of the Association and the enthusiastic support extended by our sponsors, well-wishers and supporters,” he said.
Mr Carvalho said the World Goa Day marks the inclusion of Konkani in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution on August 20, 1992.
“World Goa Day enables us to take pride in our identity, culture, language, music, cuisine and traditional values. This is a day to demonstrate our solidarity and work together for the common good. This event in marked in Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, UK and the US,” he said.
For more information on the GOANZ email goa_nz@yahoo.co.nz
