Workshop on Documentation of Folklore and Oral History of Konkani People: 15th & 16th July, 2026.

A two-day workshop on Documentation of Folklore and Oral History of Konkani People was organised by the Department of Archives, Government of Goa in collaboration with Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr on 15th and 16th July 2026 at the TSKK Auditorium, Porvorim. The opening ceremony was held at the hands of Heta Pandit, a heritage activist, writer and researcher. Mrs. Gayatri Ghatwal, Head, Audio-Visual unit of Archives Department, Dr. Pandurang Phaldesai, Director of TSKK and Fr. Kelwin Monteiro, SJ, Administrator-Secretary of TSKK graced the occasion. The workshop began with the keynote address by Heta Pandit, where she presented to the audience a general idea of oral history as a research tool, its importance, recording techniques, and relevance to Goa. In the first session of the first day, Dr. Pandurang Phaldesai presented an overview of the varied folksongs of the Konkani people such as Dhalo, Fugddi, Ovi, Mando, Dulpod. Focusing on each of these, he highlighted their various forms, the occasions during which they are performed and their significance to the culture of the people. The inputs were followed by the live performances of Dhalo, Fugddi, Mando, Dulpod.

It ended with discussion and Q & A session. Post-lunch was the second session where, Dr. Purnanand Chari, the President of Goa Konkani Academi highlighted on the necessity for documentation, preservation and promotion of Oral history using audio visual methods. He also expressed the need for transcription and documentation of demonstrated songs by using digital platforms. After the evening tea break, the last session of the day was devoted to the group activity in which the attendees had the opportunity to have a dialogue with the performing artists, a session guided by Dr. Pandurang Phaldesai. On the second day, the first session was the paper presentation by Mr. Daulat Hawaldar, a retired IAS officer. He emphasized on the ‘ethical considerations in Oral History documentation.’ His talk was followed by discussion and Q & A session. In the next session, Dr. Jayanti Naik, a researcher on Goan folklore, spoke on the role of folk songs in the preservation of history and culture. Her inputs were followed by discussion and Q & A session. In the post lunch session, Mr. Sainath Parab, a documentary filmmaker, while emphasizing on the importance of making documentaries on folklore and oral history also spoke on various concerns and issues that arise in the process of making a documentary.

He also screened a few of his own documentaries suggesting ways and methods of doing a documentary. The last session of the workshop included a screening of a special documentary on the various folk performing art forms of the Konkani people, particularly those settled in Kerala and Karnataka. The workshop ended with the Valedictory Session, wherein all the 70 participants were awarded certificates of participation, followed by a group photography.