Konkani is the language spoken predominantly in Goa, the districts of North Kanara, South Kanara and Udupi in Karnataka and the northern areas of Kerala. It is not a monolithic language and in fact, shows amazing variation along the geographical lines and caste lines, but the different varieties remain mutually intelligible
The Konkanies are said to have originally hailed from central Asia. According to the available evidence around 4000 B. C. they were settled to an agrarian life, supplemented by cattle grazing, on the banks of river Sraswathi which is a tributary of River Indus.
Around 2500 B. C. they are said to have migrated to Thrihotrupura now called as Tiruth. It was here that they separated themselves into families or ‘GOTHRAS’. The next migration was around A. D. 1000, at this time they went in search of greener pastures. They were 2 groups. One of them retains Konkani even to day while the other group settled in Bengal and has assimilated the Bengali culture. The Konkanies were experts in farming and reaped three crops a year, which was a new phenomenon in those days
River Saraswati is mentioned frequently in Rig Veda and the tribe of Aryans who resided in the large valley of the Saraswati River were known as Saraswats. Saraswati was a mighty river in ancient times and dried up some 4000 years ago. The lost courses of the river have been recently traced by satellite imagery and extensive excavations conducted in western region of the subcontinent. The large region is referred to as Saraswati Mandala in Vedas and was a home to learned Brahmins who specialized in vedic studies, astrology, mathematics, navigation, medicine and mainly metaphysics. When the river dried up, and agriculture, their main profession suffered, they moved to different regions. Hence we find Saraswats in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Kashmir (they are known as Pundits, but essentially they are Saraswats), Uttara Pradesh and the South. They came to Goa and western Maharastra (today's Konkan belt) via the sea route
The Konkani culture has suffered many attacks by the Muslim invaders, Marathas and majorly by the Portuguese. During their infamous Inquisition- a program for religious and cultural conversion the Konkani culture was ruthlessly suffocated and valuable documents were permanently destroyed. This led to the diversification of the Konkani into different religions.
Konkani encompasses 3 religious groups which include more than 20 casts, subcasts and sects. The largest group consists of the Hindus – Saraswath Brahmins ( Chitrapur Saraswath Brahmins & Gauda Saraswath Brahmins) and the Daivajna Brahmins, the others are Vaniyas (merchants), Kudmis (Construction and field workers), Chaptekars ( cooks and caterers), Gudikars (drama props suppliers and puppetry artistes), Konkani Chamgars ( cobblers), Maesths (stonecutters), Bhandaris (barbers), Kharvis (fishermen), the Guravs of Goa, the Mrata Konkanies, The Rajpuri Saraswath and Brahmins of Maharastra.
The next largest religious group is the Christians. The Goan Christians, Mangalorean Catholics (who were originally converts from GSBs) and the Gowde Christians.
Among the Muslims few groups have retained Konkani language and culture. The Navayets are mainly settled in Bhatkal and the Kufis of North Kanaka and Ratnagiri.
At one time, all Konkani Saraswats followed Advaita taught by Goudapadacharya and Shankaracharya. They were Shaivaites and worshipped Lord Shiva and his wife Shakti (a.k.a. Durga, Mahalasa and Parvati). Later, many became followers of Madhvacharya, who advocated Dvatism and started worshipping Lord Vishnu, while keeping their Shaivaite rituals. This is the reason why you notice Konkanis offering prayers to all deities, including Ganapati and Surya (the Sun God). A large number of Konkanis today practice Islam, Roman Catholic and Protestant religions.
The cultural activities include an artform called as Zagor ( Dramatics on religious stories) in Goa, Thiatre ( satirical plays) , Konkani Natak Sabha is still performing various plays in Mangalore. The other significant artforms are Mando which is a song sequence, Dhulpod (string songs).
Gumta is an exclusive musical instrument and is used in Gumta Padam which is a distinct style of music of the Kudmis and the Mangalorean Christians. Konkanies represent less than 0.5% of India’s population but they have established a distinct place for themselves in all the streams. In 1976 the Sahitya Academy recognized Konkani as an Independent language. In 1987 it was made the official language of Goa. In 1992 Konkani was included in the 8th schedule of constitution of India and awarded the status of a National Language.
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