Konkani Literature in Kerala

Konkani literature in Kerala made a rather late entry, as compared to its other concentrated states like Karnataka or Goa. However, according to historical annals, there can be established no exact evidence to relate exactly when Konkani language and literature began its predominating journey in Kerala. But a possible contact and interlinking between Goa with Kerala cannot be thrown to the wind, as collaborators in foreign trade. G Kamalammal is known to have contributed whole-heartedly to Konkani literature, in the domain of devotional writing. V. Krishna Vadyar, Bhakta R Kanhangad, S. T Chandrakala, S Kamat are some of the most renowned novelists in the Konkani dialect. Moving further ahead, V Venkates, K Narayan Naik, N Prakash and others have penned forceful short stories; P G Kamath has contributed to the sphere of essay writing.

Some of the most great and legendary poets in Konkani literature from Kerala, comprise: K Anant Bhat, N Purushottam Mallya, R Gopal Prabhu, P N S Sivanand Shenai, N N Anandan, R S Bhaskar etc. Translations, folklore, criticism also have enriched the Konkani literature in Kerala.

Stepping aside a little bit and directing the attention towards analytic and detailed study, Konkani literature in Kerala has been legendary and celebrated to have formulated dictionaries and encyclopedias in considerable numbers. Konkani language produced its first dictionary in 1567. Missionary priests of the Rachol Seminary in fact had compiled the first ever dictionary in any Indian language, penning 15,000 Konkani words and their vocables in Portuguese. Later, during the period between 17th and 19th centuries, two more dictionaries were added to Konkani treasure. One version was in Portuguese - Konkani by Fr. Diego Ribeiro and another, wholly in Konkani-Portuguese by Fr. Michael Almeida. The biggest contribution to Konkani lexicography had emerged towards the end of the 19th century by Monsignor Dalgado. His two dictionaries, including Konkani-Portuguese and Portuguese-Konkani are regarded as irreplaceable possession of Konkani literature from Kerala. Late Shripad R Desai`s Konkani-Konkani dictionary in four volumes, is yet another landmark in the method of dictionary writing. Shantaram Hedo issued by Konkani Bhasha Mandal also amasses a Konkani-Konkani dictionary. Gurunath Kelekar has composed the English-Konkani dictionary in 1994. Konkani-English dictionary in two volumes assembled by Suresh Borkar, Mukesh Thali and Damodar Ghanekar, holds more than 40,000 words and phrases. Pandurang Bhangui`s painstaking endeavours in compiling Shabda Sagar has always been acclaimed, the first volume being already issued by the Goa Konkani Academy.

The Konkani Vishwakosh in four volumes and edited by Dr Tanaji Halarnakar, is an Encyclopedia published by Goa University, encompassing information from all around the world and summed up in brief. The encyclopaedia lays punctual accentuation and renders detailed information on Goa, Konkani, Goan culture, folklore, history, geography etc, further taking Konkani literature from Kerala towards worldwide maturity.