Northern Konkani dialects of Maharashtra

Northern Konkani dialects of  Maharashtra 

The Konkan are the mainland Southern Indic languages, spoken in Maharashtra and the Konkan region of India Konkaniproper, Kukna, Phudagi, Kadodi (Samvedi), Katkari, Varli,

Maharashtrian Konkani

A collection of dialects of Konkani languages spoken in the Konkan region is referred to as Maharashtrian Konkani. The sub-dialects of Konkani gradually merge from standard Marathi into Goan Konkani from north to south Konkan. The various sub dialects are: Parabhi, Koli, Kiristanv, Kunbi, Agari, Dhangari, Thakri, Karadhi, and Maoli. These sub-dialects are together considered by the ISO to be a separate language and is assigned the ISO 639-3 code knn.

Agari (Spoken by the Agri community found in Raigad & Thane district of Maharashtra) Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Gujarat, Daman and Diu Thakri (Spoken by the Adivasi and katkari community found in Raigad district of Maharashtra)

Koli (Spoken by the Koli or fishermen community found in Mumbai district of Maharashtra)

Warli (Varli) language spoken by the Warli people. Although commonly associated with Maharashtra, Daman and Diu and found in Gujarat too, Varlis (Warlis) consider Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli to be their original home

Phudagi or Vadvali was primarily spoken by Vadvals, which basically means agricultural plot owners, of the Naigaon, Vasai to Dahanuregion. Somavamshi Kshatriyas speak this dialect. This language is preserved mostly by the Roman Catholics native to this region, since they are a closely knit community here and have very few relatives outside this region. It was also widely spoken among the Hindus native to this region, but due to external influences, ordinary Marathi is now more popular among the Hindus. There are many songs in this language. Recently a book was published by Nutan Patil containing around 70 songs. The songs are about marriage, pachvi etc. The dialect of the Kolis(fisherfolk) of Vasai and neighbouring Mumbai resembles this dialect closely, though they speak with a heavier accent. There is a village in Vasai called Chulna, which was predominantly Roman Catholic (now cosmopolitan).

The striking feature of the dialect here contrasting it with Phudagi, is the preference of pronouncing the thinner 'l' and 'n' ('ल' and 'न') instead of the thicker 'l' and 'n' ('ळ' and 'ण'), which is retained even in the current generation of speakers even for conversing normal Marathi.

Samavedi or Kadodi is spoken in the interiors of the Nala Sopara and Virar regions to the north of Mumbai in the Vasai TalukaUranpanvel, Thane District of Maharashtra. The name of this language correctly suggests that its origins lie with the Samavedi Brahmins native to this region. This language, too, finds more speakers among the Roman Catholic converts native to the region (who are known as East Indians), but nevertheless is popular among the Samavedi Brahmins. This dialect is very different from the other Marathi dialects spoken in other regions of Maharashtra, but resembles Vadvali very closely. Both Vadvali and Samavedi have relatively high proportions of words imported from Portuguese as compared to ordinary Marathi, because of direct influence of the Portuguese who colonized this region till 1739.

There is a little difference between Samvedi and Kadodi. Kado's trace their origin from Samvedi Bramhins, Goans and Portuguese due to their inter communal marriages. Christianity in Vasai dates back to the 16th century. The churches built by Portuguese in the 16th century are still being used by Christians today as well.