1. Konkani and Marathi in Goa: Status, Scripts and Literature
Konkani (कोंकणी) is the official language of Goa and is listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Marathi (मराठी) is also widely used in Goa. Exams test both facts about these languages and basic Konkani knowledge.
Status of Konkani
- The Goa, Daman and Diu Official Language Act, 1987 made Konkani the official language. The Act refers to Konkani in the Devanagari script.
- Konkani was added to the Eighth Schedule by the 71st Constitutional Amendment, 1992, together with Manipuri and Nepali.
- Konkani is an Indo-Aryan language. Apart from Goa, it is spoken along the coast of Karnataka (for example in Mangaluru and Karwar), in Maharashtra and in Kerala.
- Konkani is written in several scripts: Devanagari (official in Goa), Roman (Romi Konkani), Kannada, Malayalam and Perso-Arabic.
- The Goa Konkani Akademi promotes Konkani language and literature in the state.
Romi Konkani and Marathi
- Romi Konkani is Konkani written in the Roman script. It has a long history in Goa's Catholic community, in church use, newspapers and tiatr.
- Supporters of Romi Konkani have asked for equal official status with Devanagari; this demand has been debated for many years.
- Marathi has a long literary and educational presence in Goa. The 1987 Act allows Marathi to be used for official purposes, and many schools teach in Marathi.
- GSSC recruitment rules usually list 'Knowledge of Marathi' as desirable, while Konkani is essential. Separate Marathi-medium and Konkani-medium teacher posts exist.
Literature facts often asked
- Shenoi Goembab (W. R. Varde Valaulikar): father of modern Konkani literature; World Konkani Day is observed on his birth anniversary, 23 June.
- Ravindra Kelekar: first Konkani Jnanpith winner (award for 2006). He was also a Gandhian freedom fighter.
- Damodar Mauzo: 57th Jnanpith Award (presented May 2023); author of 'Karmelin' (Sahitya Akademi Award 1983).
- Sahitya Akademi recognised Konkani as an independent literary language in 1975.
- Tiatr Day is 17 April, marking the first tiatr, 'Italian Bhurgo', in 1892.
Quick facts
- Official language Act
- Goa, Daman and Diu Official Language Act, 1987
- Official script
- Devanagari
- 8th Schedule
- 71st Amendment, 1992 (with Manipuri and Nepali)
- Romi Konkani
- Konkani in Roman script
- Konkani scripts
- Devanagari, Roman, Kannada, Malayalam, Perso-Arabic
- Marathi
- May be used for official purposes; desirable for most posts
- World Konkani Day
- 23 June (Shenoi Goembab)
💡 If a question asks for the official script of Konkani in Goa, the answer is Devanagari, even though Romi (Roman) Konkani is also widely used.
📝 5-question quiz on this lesson: enrol free to take it and track your score.
