Rooted in the Local, Resonating Globally: Konkani Language, Lyricism, and Literary Universality

Vincent Alva

Rooted in the Local, Resonating Globally: Konkani Language, Lyricism, and Literary Universality

Author(s)	Dr. Vincent Alva
Country	India
Abstract	The Konkani language, spoken along the western coast of India, represents a rich cultural and linguistic tradition shaped by centuries of migration, cultural interaction, and social diversity. Despite its relatively small linguistic community, Konkani has developed a vibrant literary heritage expressed through multiple scripts, dialects, and artistic forms. This study examines the historical evolution and literary significance of the Konkani language with particular attention to the coastal Karnataka region, where Konkani is widely written in the Kannada script. The paper also offers a critical discussion of the lyrical works of Wilfy Rebimbus (1942–2010), one of the most influential figures in modern Konkani cultural life. Known as Konkan Kogul (the Nightingale of Konkani), Rebimbus transformed popular songs into expressive lyrical compositions reflecting the emotions, struggles, and aspirations of the Konkani-speaking community. His songs engage with themes such as nature, love, social inequality, memory, and the dignity of ordinary life. By drawing a comparative perspective with the Romantic poetic philosophy of William Wordsworth, the study highlights similarities in their treatment of nature, rural life, and emotional experience. Employing theoretical perspectives from world literature and translation studies, particularly the ideas of David Damrosch, Pascale Casanova, and Itamar Even-Zohar, the article argues that regional literary works can transcend linguistic boundaries through processes of circulation, translation, and cross-cultural interpretation. The study ultimately demonstrates that Konkani literature, though rooted in local cultural experience, possesses thematic universality and aesthetic value that resonate with broader human concerns. Through the example of Wilfy Rebimbus, the paper illustrates how regional lyrical traditions contribute meaningfully to the wider discourse of world literature.
Field	Arts
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 3, May-June 2026
Published On	2026-05-19

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Rooted in the Local, Resonating Globally: Konkani Language, Lyricism, and Literary Universality

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