Kumta: Kumta should be called the capital of Konkani language, since a large number of people speak the language in Kumta, theatre activist Kasaragod Chinna, observed.

Addressing the valedictory of a theatre training camp, organised for Konkani speaking women in Kumta, on Sunday, Chinna, director of ‘Kasaragod Ranga Chinnari’ said a convention of Konkani speaking women would be organised in Kumta in December. Theatre training has helped women interact with others and share their experiences, he added.

Film producer Subraya Valke, who distributed certificates to the participants, said art of preparing masks was explained to participants at the training camp. “In reality we all wear masks. Such training camps help learn how to look at life as a theatre art,” he said.

Konkana Education Trust trustee Ramesh Prabhu, presiding over the programme, said if language was not used regularly for routine exchange of feelings it would spell its death slowly. However, language could be preserved with art, culture and literature, he said. Konkani Academy former member Chidananda Bhandari, Ranga Samskriti President Sudha Gowda were present. Participants Chandrakala Bhandari, Gayatri Shirodkar, Sumana Revankar, Pushpa Shet, Kavita Mallapur, Jaya Shanbhag, and Jyoti Nayak shared their experiences in the camp.

Kannada & Culture Department, Konkan Education Trust and Ranga Samskriti organised the programme.