Promoting Konkani online

Kittall, the dream project of Konkani writer and critic Henry Mendonca popularly known as H M Pernal was launched in February this year and ever since has been a platform to present quality literature which can be easily accessed by Konkanis worldwide.

The website carries short stories, poems, humor, novel series, columns, interview with writers and artists, review on new books, music and art. It also publishes special reports of Konkani events and news related to Konkani literature, art, music and current affairs.
One can find columns from Konkani writers such as Hemacharya, Stan Agira, Austin D’Souza, Edwin J F D’Souza, Wilson Kateel and Wilma Bantwal in this portal.

Speaking to City Herald, Pernal reveals that there was no comprehensive Konkani literary Unicode website and this was one main reason he took up the initiative. As Kitall is Unicode enabled, one can view Konkani literature in Kannada font anywhere in the world without installing the Kannada script software, he says.

Pernal also adds that another main reason to ignite Kittall was to encourage Konkani critics. There are very few critics today and more are needed to bring about a social change. Kitall prioritises in creating social awareness through literature, he says and adds that the website would provide a platform for writers, thinkers, poets, critics, and the general public to express their views and comments. Kittall will also give preference to unpublished Konkani work. People from different Konkani dialects can also contribute to this website, he says.

Kitall is also an excellent platform for debates. There has been positive as well as negative criticism on the topics carried, says Pernal who adds that constructive criticism is always welcomed in his portal.

The website has more than 400 unique visitors every day and 60 per cent are from the people abroad. There are plans to publish a yearly book on the literature that has appeared on the website, reveals Pernal who adds that the first book is expected in January 2012 and will be distributed to the subscribers.

One of the latest additions to the website is ‘Kittall Café,’ where video interviews with various Konkani celebrities, writers, artists and thinkers will be uploaded. The first one in these series ‘Chat with Stan Agira’ has been uploaded and many such chit-chats will be uploaded in the near future, he says. Kittall website is designed by Prakash Lobo of Pacesoft Media Pvt Ltd, Mangalore.