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Shenoi
Goembab
LIFE IN BRIEF
Konkani Person of the Milennium Award
Waman Raghunath Shenoi Varde Walaulikar remains in the history
of Goa forever. Known as Shenoi Goembab for generations together,
he is still the inspiring light for generations to come. His
contribution to Goa is immense, which cannot be simply valued
by the 22 books he has written.
Though Konkani activists scattered all over the World consider
Shenoi Goembab as the Father of Konkani Movement, his contribution
was not limited to the linguistic movement alone. He was
one of the equally great historian, who not only documented
the history of Goa but analysed it objectively. His contributions
in historical field inspire any common reader till today and
provides proper direction to the 'lost' identity of any Goan
residing in any part of the World.
He was the first to lay open our history before us and tell
us : "We have a history of our own. We need not rely on
the glory of others. Those who live in other people's
shade, do not become great themselves. We are not naive. We
have only to soar high and let the seed of glory within us
grow. Only then shall we make our future."
Born in the town of Bicholim on June 23, 1877, Wamanbab began
learning at the age of four. He studied the primary in Marathi
and later passed the 'Segundo Grau' in Portuguese. He studied
Sanskrit and English at home due to financial problems. In
1893 he went to Bombay with his paternal Uncle and passed
the High School Grade in 1898.
After he returned to Goa, he began teaching in a School. But
since he did not get the necessary satisfaction, he went to
Karachi. After working there for a while, he returned to Mumbai.
He worked for the Italian Consulate there and later joined
a German Company as a chief accountant.
The Germans left for their country, leaving the affairs in
the hands of Shenoi Goembab, during the First World War. When
they returned, they had a word of praise for the uprightness
of this great Goan. Later, he became the Secretary of the
Company. But when his ego was hurt, he resigned, and dedicated
the rest of his life for Konkani.
"You might fill your belly if you study other languages.
But your deeds will not come to light. There is no other way
to be enterprising than to study the language of your Soul."
He was the first to tell us how mellow and sweet our own mother
tongue is and how big is its storehouse of words. He lay bare
the storehouse of words through many books that he wrote.
Everything what we want is within ourselves - knowledge, wisdom,
strength, enterprise. Despite all this, we do not have the
capacity to master others. This is why our talents are not
being used for ourselves and for our country. We have been
shining under others' lamps, observed Shenoi Goembab. It is
still the same story where we have not intercepted enough
to grow high and high.
In order that Goans may carve out their own futures, he gave
us a mantra : Konkani language. He asked, "My dear fellows,
why are you sleeping ? Arise ! We need not depend on the glory
of other languages. Our language hails from the rich,
well-known family. Let us serve our mother - tongue, and hold
our head high".
He has written 22 Konkani books in Devnagri script and seven
in Roman. He has made valuable original contributions in almost
all forms of literature – short stories, novels, poetry, drama,
essays, linguistics, philosophy, history etc. His works in
the field of history, linguistics and philosophy are classics
and are recognised by renowned scholars till date.
In fact it would be an attempt to make him pretty small if
he is called the guide only of the Konkani literary movement.
Shenoi Goembab was a great historian, philosopher and a philanthropist.
His contribution is not limited to Konkani language alone
but Goa as a whole. He worked tirelessly for Golden Goa till
he breathed last on 9 April 1946.
Date of birth
23 June 1877
Place of birth
Bicholim, Goa
Date of Death
9 April 1946
Place of Death
Mumbai, Maharashtra
Education
Matriculate in 1898 (Maratha Highschool, Girgarum, Mumbai)
Segun Grau (4th class in Portuguese)
Languages studied
Sanskrit, Marathi, Hindi, English and Portuguese
Occupation
Service in Goa, Karachi and Mumbai
Full time Konkani worker since 1926
Major books written
Gomantopnishad ( Two volumes )
Konkanichi Vyakronni Bandavoll
Goenkaranchi Goeam- bhaili vosnnuk
Albuquerquan Goem Koshem Jiklem
Konkani Bhashecho Itihas
Konkani Bhashechem Zoit
Ballipattnacho Sod
Punneatmo Ram Kamati
Mogachem Logn
Zilba Ranno
Povnachem Toplem
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