Reading Bhai for 12 hours on August 1

[Frederick Noronha]

ASSAGAO: The Victor D’Mello Community Centre (VDCC) is putting together a  unique programme to celebrate Konkani writer Damodar ‘Bhai’ Mauzo.

01 August is Bhai’s birthday, his 84th. Therefore, for the ‘Bhai Cho Diz’ at the Centre in Assagao, 30 people will work together in a relay format, to read Bhai’s works non-stop for 12 hours. 

Reading for a short time, each reader will hand over to the next, in an unbroken relay. The attempt is to cover as many of his works as possible, in an engaging, performative way, with an audience and without rushing. 

“This is a celebration of our literature, our identity. We are proud to be Goan, to speak Konkani and to have a large body of literature in it. Reading Bhai’s writings in this engaging manner allows us to revisit and rediscover our own histories in our voices. This will surely introduce new generations – myself included – to such a seminal writer,” said Alan D’Mello, founder, Victor D’Mello Community Centre. 

Preparations for ‘Bhai Cho Diz’ have been going on for a while. The 30 readers constitute six teams of five people each. Assagao is providing two teams, one of the residents and the other from Dnyanprassarak Mandal's College and Research Centre. 

The other teams are from St. Xavier's College, Mapusa; Purushottam Walawalkar HSS, Khorlim and the Bardez Konkani Asmitay Kendra. 

However, one team is reserved for readers and Konkani literary enthusiasts from across Goa. Interested people should contact the VDCC team via WhatsApp (+91 7 517 516 516)   as sufficient practice and teamwork are needed. 

Prashanti Talpankar, Goa’s thespian, will conduct three special workshops for the 30 readers to prepare them for the challenge of reading in public. “This is just the start, our first attempt. There is a lot to learn and everyone is very supportive. We are not chasing records, though next year, we will attempt to read Bhai’s works for a full 24 hours. Hopefully, this will become a tradition,” said Alan.

ABOUT THE VDCC The Victor D’Mello Community Centre is a community-focused initiative dedicated to promoting culture, education and social engagement in Assagao. Through year-round programming, VDCC seeks to create meaningful opportunities for individuals to connect, learn and contribute to the community. 

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_/  Frederick Noronha  फ्रेडरिक नोरोन्या  * فريدريك نورونيا‎
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