The second day of the 42nd Mando Festival saw a rousing performance by all the
participating groups this evening. The enthusiasm displayed by the performers
was a clear indication that this traditional Goan culture has come to stay.
Though the prizes are not attractive considering the fine tuning one has to do
with staging a performance of this dimension many in the audience felt that the
Government of Goa should contribute legitimately much beyond the promised Rs.1
lac that has been so far the water mark contribution for this programme.
Many who spoke to this writer in a brief tete a tete yesterday and today were
annoyed that the Government was promoting cultural groups from neighbouring
states like Pune and Mumbai to stage their performances. Obviously one would
expect the Government of Maharashtra to do like wise. But the irony according
to a retired official of the Directorate of Art and Culture who is a regular at
such festivals was as stated in his own words " the Govt of Goa has been giving
prominence to Marathi stage artists," he was also visibly upset that the Kala
Academy too was being used as an outlet for all outstation groups even non de
script artists to use the premises for exhibiting their arts. " Has any State
stretched out their arms to accept Goan folklore art and culture by inviting
them to perform in their States to the extent that we do? " He pleaded with
this writer to seek information under the Goa Right to Information to prove his
point.
He was also not too happy with the present Minister for Culture who
incidentally is the Chief Minister of Goa who he feels was paying mere lip
sympathy to appease the Catholic vote bank. Not that the earlier Ministers were
any better. "His actions reveal contrary to what he speaks he warned" this
writer and pleaded to do some probing to confirm his point.
Mr Succorro Pinto from Pomburpa, another member of the audience stated clearly
that, if the Government was sincere in promoting the Mando Festival why was it
not granting official recognition to Konkani in Roman script. Had this
happened the troupes would have got huge budgetary by way of grants instead of
the measely prize money ranging from Rs.700 to Rs.3000 Ironically with the
transportation charges a mere Rs.600/- for distances less than 10 kms Rs.900
for distances from 10 to 30 kms and Rs.1300 for distances beyond 30 kms, when
the travel costs in Goa is rated the highest .
Interestingly there were a sizeable number of foreign tourists too who were
enjoying the performance, unfortunately the comperes who ought to have
explained the theme of each of the songs sung by the Group did not do so
instead made the audience rely on the souvenirs to feret out such information.
This forced the compere Dr Bhicaji Ghanekar to note their presence and give a
brief on the Mandos and Dulpods to the foreigners explaining the Goan
traditional music as a symbiosis of the East and West -- sa re ga ma .... being
akin to do re mi fa so ...
The participating groups were as below on day one and two
CHILDRENS GROUP
Bhurgeancho Naad Merces
Suadik Naad Merces
Fulte Bhonge Merces
Mercechim Sobit Fulam Merces
Fatordechim Fulam Fatorda
Vell’lechi Fulam Velim
TEENAGER GROUP
Merces Firgojecho Saad Merces
St Xavier’s Collegicho Naad Mapusa
Nuvemchim Mankullim Motiam Nuvem
Fatordechim Fulam Fatorda
Vell”lechi Salkam Velim
SENIOR GROUPS
ORIGINAL CATEGORY
Merces Firgojecho Saad Merces
Svadik Naad Merces
Harmonizer’s Chorus Utorda
Nuvemchim Mannkam Motiam Nuvem
Fatordechim Fulam Fatorda
Goinchim Noketram Sarzora
Goenchim Kirnam
Vellechim Salkam Velim
Mando Mogi Margao
DANCE
Merches Firgojecho Saad Merces
Suadik Naad Majorda
Porvorechim Noketram Porvorim
Vellechim Salkam Velim
TRADITIONAL CATEGORY
Kormonecho Saad Carmona
Suadik Naad Majorda
Nuvemchim Mankam Motiam Nuvem
Harmonizers Chorus Utorda
Merches Firgojecho Saad Merces
Fatordechim Fulam Fatorda
Vellechim Salkam Velim
Goenchim Kirnam
St Xavierachim Kirnam Mapusa
Mando Mogi Margao
Goenchim Noketram Sarzora
SENIOR CITIZENS
Vell’lechim Salkam Velim
Provorichem Noketram Porvorim
Today it was the turn of Mr Elvis Gomes Director of Tourism to do the honours
while the others Minister for PWD and Salcete strongman and the Director of Art
and Culture Mr Prasad Lolayekar still "on their way " according to the compere
Dr Ghanekar at the time of filing this report.
Though the function began on time today it went well past 1045 hrs keeping the
participants on their toes awaiting the results
Mando AWARD Harmonizers Chorus Utorda
also 1st prize winners of the Senior Group Original and Traditional category
Childrens Group
1st prize Mercechim Sobit Fulam Merces
Teenagers & Dance Group
1st prize Merces Firgojecho Saad Merces
Senior Citizens
1st Prize Porvorim Noketram Porvorim
The public were all praise for the organisors under the stewardship of Mr
Francisco Noronha Mr Isac H Dias the Vice President the General Secretary Mr
Roy Botelho Jt Secretary Mr Thomas C Fernandes and Treasurer Mr Octavio
Rodrigues for their unstinted endeavour to make the event a success in its 42
nd year.
from the Dinanath Mangueskar auditorium,
GODFREY J I GONSALVES
BORDA MARGAO
9822158584 (24 HRS)
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