------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660 Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------- Intruz loses out to govt's remix ---------------------------------------- Has the Intruz of yesteryears lost much of its traditional charm that outstation artists are roped in make the Carnival festivities attractive? For an answer, just take a look at the decision of the Margao Municipality. The Carnival committee constituted by the Civic body has decided to invite outstation artists like the internationally acclaimed remix queen, Vaishali Samant (Aika Dajiba fame) and play back singer Amin Sayani (Binaca fame).
And, with the government allocating Rs 10 lakhs to organise the three-day event, the civic body has decided to spend half the amount Rs five lakh, to be precise, only on these two artistes.
Curiously, the Committee feels that the duo will be the "star" attraction of this year's celebrations, while a Konkani musical show, featuring artists from Goa and Mumbai, including Lorna would be an "added" attraction. An amount of Rs 50,000 is earmarked for this Konkani show.
"We are helpless. We had no option but to invite the two artistes based on the strict conditions laid down by the government", informed both MMC Chairperson, Kamlini Painginkar (ex-officio Chairperson of the Carnival committee) and her deputy and committee president, Caeitano Barbosa.
The duo claimed the government has allocated Rs 10 lakhs on condition that the Municipality invite atleast one outstation artiste to perform. "We are only following the advise and guidance given by the Tourism Department", maintained Barbosa.
Incidentally, the municipality was told to finalise the artists well in advance
so as to facilitate the government to launch an advertisement campaign
in other States well ahead of the festivities.
When contacted, the Tourism Director, N Suryanarayan, however, begged to differ. He denied having imposed any such condition that the carnival committee had to invite only an outstation artist. "What we told them is that the performance during the festivities should be of high standard through artists of national repute and that the floats ought to be of high quality", he said, adding "the artist of national repute could be even Goans such as Hema Sardessai and others, and not necessarily the two artists signed by the Civic body".
Saying that this year the govt has allocated Rs 10 lakhs each to Margao and Panjim to hold the festivities, he said the government wants that the local Carnival committees do not just spend the funds on prizes alone, but provide good cultural programmes.
And, with the government promoting the Carnival festivities more to lure
hordes of tourists than in the true spirit of the traditional Intruz, the field
is apparently thrown open for outside artists.
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HERALD 14/2/04 page 1
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