MANDO ROCKS MARGAO A packed audience witnessed the 6th Goa Mando Festival at the Margao Ravindra Bhawan’s “Pai Tiatrist Joao Agustinho Fernandes” auditorium held on 5th February 2010. The uniqueness of the event was that for the first time perhaps a lady Chief Guest for a Mando Festival none other than Mrs. Asha Digambar Kamat for the Opening ceremony who declared the festival open with the lighting of traditional lamp. Later Mrs. Kamat released a colourful souvenir which had excellent write ups by Prof. Bonfilio Da Cruz and Mr. Valmiki Faleiro.
The festival witnessed top Mando troupes of Goa and was held in two categories. Most of the traditional category songs are the those that have been sung and retained in its immaculate form, while the original category are those that have been composed and sung for the first time and the first being a love song. The traditional musical instruments the "ghumot" violin and box guitar have remained unchanged so also the traditional dress wear. The Master of Ceremony lecturer Anant Agni a name synonymous with Konkani Festivals shared his moments of wit and humour besides sharing his research on the origins of Mando and Dulpods. The mando troupes which thrilled the audience in the following order Goenchim Noketrem led by Jina Mascarenhas Dias, . Merces Firgojecho Sadd Merces led by Joaquim Rodrigues, Sallkam Curtorechim led by Joel Fernandes Fatordichem Fullam led by Peter Azavedo ; Curtorechim Sallkam led by Victor da Costa and Manddea Mogi – Porvorim led by Lawrence Fernandes ; Fr. Bernardo Cotta was felicitated with a TAME Life time Achievement Mando Award at the hands of Mr. Elvis Gomes Commissioner of PMC. with a coconut, shawl and traditional lamp. trophy for his contribution towards the Mando art. Mr. Gomes in his address for the Prize distribution ceremony said that the Life time award recipient Fr. Cotta had left behind his foot prints behind in all the parishes by teaching young students music right form the time he was posted to Veroda Church till date. He stressed the importance of holding the Mando festivals which in turn help to keep the rich cultural heritage alive. Remarking that he personally took keen interest in Mandos and this is one forum which enlightens the audience on present social issues and stressed the need that the original mandos should be recorded so that future generations will enjoy the same. He congratulated the management of TAME Tourism Airline Management Education, for conducting the event in Margao thus helping South Goa mando lovers to enjoy the rich heritage. Earlier the Director of TAME in his welcome speech credited the success entirely to the Troupe leaders and the graceful audience besides the unstinted support and guidance of Chief Minister Mr. Digambar Kamat who is also the Minister for Art and Culture and thanked him for his continuous support to this Goan art. Mr. Rudolph Noronha introduced the illustrious Fr. Bernardo Cotta highlighting the works of Fr. Cotta in the form of being a composer, troupe leader and author on Mando books. Curtorechim Sallkam led by Victor da Costa won the First prize of Rs. 11,000/- and were the clear winners who won the hearts of the audience while the First Runners of Rs. 10000/- went to Sallkam Curtorechim led by Joel Fernandes Fatordichem and the Second Runners up were Goenchim Noketrem led by Jina Mascarenhas Dias, Consolation prizes were won by Merces Firgojecho Sadd Merces, Fatordichem Fullam led by Peter Azavedo and Manddea Mogi – Porvorim led by Lawrence Fernandes ;
