Goemkars ! It gives me great pleasure to share a report by Armstrong Vaz on World Goa Day event held in Qatar. rene barreto WORLD GOA DAY WORLD ALLIANCE OF GOAN ASSOCIATIONS. WORLD GOA DAY - Qatar http://worldgoaday2009.blogspot.com/ WGD 2009 REPORTS > http://worldgoaday2009.blogspot.com/ armstrong augusto vaz <[email protected]> To: renebarreto <[email protected]> World Goa Day held in Qatar on 19th November 2009. Report by By Armstrong Vaz: full report with pictures at: http://worldgoaday2009.blogspot.com/2009/11/world-goa-day-held-in-qatar-on-19th.html >By Armstrong Vaz: >DOHA: Goa and Brazil share a lot of similarities dating back to the Portuguese >colonial rule, of language, culture, art and football, said Brazilian Ambassador to Qatar HE Anuar Nahes. He was speaking at the World Goa Day function organized by Goan Welfare Association in Doha, on Thursday night. World Goa Day is celebrated by Goan associations based in different countries to commemorate the inclusion of Konkani language in the Eight Schedule of the Indian constitution. >Nahes also highlighted yet another little known artistic link – the role of >Goan artisans and craftsman in Brazilian architecture and the impact they have >left on the five-time world cup football winning country. If the common links of language, music and football came through the long colonial Portuguese rule, the artisans from Goa flourished many decades back in Brazil, thanks to the sea route. The Goans braved the choppy sea waters to land in the distant land, taking the migratory link from Brazil toAfrica, to finally land in the South American country. “Goan artisans were hired to build churches and other important monuments as they were known in Brazil for their exceptional craftsmanship and they have left a big impact on the architectural scene back home. The masterly craftsman from Goa left their footprints on Brazilian soil, which is evident today,” said the Brazilian, who was a special invitee for the function. He was delighted that Goans have been able to pick the best from both Indian and Portuguese, art and cultural scene and complimented them for maintaining the rich traditions and passing them to the new generations. “Goa and Brazil have many things in common. The people are friendly, love their music and football. Tourism flourishes in both, on account of the beautiful beaches, as both are blessed with stunning landscapes. Goan music has a clear and definite Latin flavor. The Goan dance performance today at the World Goa Day was stunning. I was impressed that the Goans have been able to maintain and pass on the rich cultural and musical traditions from one generation to another. I felt I was in Brazil or in Portugal. Goa, a former Portuguese colony was ruled by the Portuguese till December 1961. The smallest state in India, it is visited annually by some four million foreign and Indian tourists. One of the tourist attraction besides the beaches, temples, mosques and churches is the annual Carnival celebration held in Goa coinciding with the world-famous Rio de Janeiro festival. He was not the only Brazilian attending the World Goa Day function, Dr.Renira Gambarato, Assistant Professor at the VCUQ was another one who was impressed by the impressive show. “The dance performance impressed me and the musical notes had Latin written all over it. It was an opportunity for me to know amore about Goa,” said Renira. >Besides the Brazilian duo, Indians from other parts of India who attended the >function sampled more of the Goan culture. The Goan dancers performed Corridin dance, and sung Mando’s and Dekni’s much to the delight of the appreciative crowd. The Chief Guest for the evening, Alfred Sequeira, a Mangalorean businessman based in Qatar, said Goans and Mangaloreans shared many common links and one of them was the Konkani language, he gave a clarion call to all those present to maintain and promote the language. “We as custodians and Brand Ambassadors of the language should ensure that we speak and try to teach our children the language and pass on the rich cultural traditions which the Konkan region share to further generations,” said Alfred. President of Goan Welfare Association (GWA) Qatar, Simon D’Silva in his presidential address disclosed that GWA has enough study material for those trying to learn Konkani or improve upon their language skills. “We have brought in books from Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr and also tied up with Goa Konkani Akademi.. Both the institutions have assured to help us in promoting Konkani among the community in Qatar,” said Simon. Simon called upon Goans to promote the Konkani language more aggressively urging guests and members of the community to make a head start. "I urge the GWA members; let's make a start by teaching our children the language. Teaching and imparting training in Konkani language may not help our children to get jobs, but it will not make us poor, but will enrich our future generations with a treasure trove of our language," added Simon. On the occasion, an easy-to-learn Konkani language familiarization book written by Mathew Almeida and published by Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr was unveiled at the hands of the Brazilian Ambassador and Alfred. DJ Glorio of UAE fame kept the people in good spirits while Camillo Collaco compeered the function. Camillo, the former band leader of Déjà Vu in Abu Dhabi also sang scintillating music numbers to keep members entertained for the evening. Expat Properties India, Domasco and Royal Goan Beach Club sponsored novelty prizes for the various competitions held for children and adults during the event. Mathew Estrocio introduced the guests and urged Goans not to sell their ancestral homes and lands to non-Goans. The participants for tarya mama, corridin and other traditional dances were Merwen Ferrao, Tanya Rodrigues, Sacra Fernandes, Valancia Soares, Matilda Mascarenhas, Nancy D’Silva, Gasdy Fernandes, Emma Soares, Ollancio Soares, Civita Pereira, Edgar Fernandes, Zeldine Gonsalves, Asanka and Joe. ======== renebarreto GOANWORLD > http://worldgoan.blogspot.com
