So I'm back to writing after a long time. And this time I'm writing about a topic I've never written about before.
Everytime people ask me what's my mother tongue and I say Konkani, I get a mixed response from them. Some people think Konkanis are the same as Marathis. Others think we are the same as Tulu Brahmins. Some know about us. And then there are a few who haven't ever heard about our community.
Ours is a community which is spread across many parts of India. The Brahmin community has different sects like Goud Saraswat Brahmins, Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmins, Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins, etc. There is a slight difference in the dialect of Konkanis settled in different parts if India. So, when a Mangalorean Konkani speaks to a Kerala Konkani, we find many differences in our way of speaking. Over the generations, our language has taken in some of the words of the local community. So those of us living in Kerala use a few Malayalam words in our day to day conversations. The same happens with Mangalorean Konkanis, and those settled in other parts of India.
We can also find some differences in the cuisine. Those of us settled in certain parts of India are pure vegetarians, while the others are not. There are some different dishes which are included in our food based on where we are settled. In spite of these differences, there are many commonalities in our food. Delicacies include Patrodo (prepared from a leaf), Ghasshi, Val Val, Adgei, etc. Konkanis from all parts of India prepare these dishes or variations of them.
There are many theories of our origin. According to a theory, the Vedic people settled near the banks of river Saraswati and we are the descendants of these people. Some historians believe we were originally from Goa and fled to different parts during invasion of the Portuguese rulers. There are other theories as well. Konkanis are around 6 million in population.
Ours is a community which is very old and has seen the rule of many dynasties, kings. It has lived through many changes. It has kept a little of each experience, but has not let go of its traditions and culture.
It's wonderful to be part of such a small, diverse and ancient community!
Everytime people ask me what's my mother tongue and I say Konkani, I get a mixed response from them. Some people think Konkanis are the same as Marathis. Others think we are the same as Tulu Brahmins. Some know about us. And then there are a few who haven't ever heard about our community.
Ours is a community which is spread across many parts of India. The Brahmin community has different sects like Goud Saraswat Brahmins, Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmins, Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins, etc. There is a slight difference in the dialect of Konkanis settled in different parts if India. So, when a Mangalorean Konkani speaks to a Kerala Konkani, we find many differences in our way of speaking. Over the generations, our language has taken in some of the words of the local community. So those of us living in Kerala use a few Malayalam words in our day to day conversations. The same happens with Mangalorean Konkanis, and those settled in other parts of India.
We can also find some differences in the cuisine. Those of us settled in certain parts of India are pure vegetarians, while the others are not. There are some different dishes which are included in our food based on where we are settled. In spite of these differences, there are many commonalities in our food. Delicacies include Patrodo (prepared from a leaf), Ghasshi, Val Val, Adgei, etc. Konkanis from all parts of India prepare these dishes or variations of them.
There are many theories of our origin. According to a theory, the Vedic people settled near the banks of river Saraswati and we are the descendants of these people. Some historians believe we were originally from Goa and fled to different parts during invasion of the Portuguese rulers. There are other theories as well. Konkanis are around 6 million in population.
Ours is a community which is very old and has seen the rule of many dynasties, kings. It has lived through many changes. It has kept a little of each experience, but has not let go of its traditions and culture.
It's wonderful to be part of such a small, diverse and ancient community!
