In connection with Goa Sudharop's 2011 theme YEAR OF GOAN HERITAGE... See report below on the one-day seminar held on August 10, 2011 on “Goan Heritage” organized by Goa Sudharop Community Development Inc. USA in association with VVM’s Shree Damodar College of Commerce and Economics, Margao.
------------------ The seminar was attended by 200+ students from various colleges including Damodar College, Margao, Shree Mallikarjun College, Canacona, Govt. College, Quepem, C.E.S College, Cuncolim and Rosary College, Navelim. After an invocation song by students of Damodar College, Dr. I. Bhanu Murthy, Principal of Damodar College, welcomed the gathering. Citing a few examples, he explained that there are many misconceptions about Goa. He stressed that students need to know about their heritage and expressed his gratitude to Goa Sudharop for coming forward to organize this seminar. Mr. Ibonio D’Souza, Executive Director of Goa Sudharop, then explained that our heritage is our link to the past, quoting a saying that states “you have to know the past, to understand the present”. He added, “The essential elements of our heritage that have so peacefully nurtured, enriched and kept us together as a peaceful and contented society in the past, need to be identified and valued. Given the increasing challenges of modern life, we need to build on those key elements for a secure and happy future for us as well as for generations to come”. Dr. Manasvi Kamat, NSS Co-ordinator at Damodar College then introduced the Chief Guest, Dr. Harischandra Nagvenkar, retired Principal of M.E.S College, Zuarinagar, Vasco. While speaking about the need to preserve and promote our cultural identity, Dr. Nagvenkar expessed his appreciation to Goa Sudharop for organizing this seminar saying, “even though Goans have had to move out of Goa for greener pastures, their umbilical ties to Goa still remain”. He said that culture comprises both human values and folk traditions, as well as aspects like art and architecture. He added that one important aspect that immediately springs to mind when we talk of culture, is that of our beloved language, Konkani which we must preserve. The first session “History through Heritage Goa: Goa from pre-historic times to yesterday” was conducted by Prajal Sakhardande,Assistant Professor of History, Dhempe College, Miramar. A historian and heritage activist, Prajal took the audience on a fascinating journey of the past. With slides depicting various important facets of Goa’s history and heritage, he enlightened the audience on historical facts, folk traditions and customs, ancient rock art, Goa’s tribal communities, the ‘gaunkari’ system, etc., presenting a very interesting overview of Goa’s unique past leading up to the present day. The next speaker was Cosma Fernandes, Head of the Konkani Department, M.E.S. College, Zuarinagar, Vasco who spoke on “Konkani Literature and the Mando”. Cosma highlighted the milestones in the journey of Konkani language and literature down the years, also touching upon the many Goans who have contributed to Konkani literature, including illustrious persons like Shenoy Goembab and others. He also spoke on Konkani tiatr and the mando, with audio-visual clips depicting the mando in both song as well as dance forms. The third session on “Goan Architecture” was conducted by Jose Lourenco, a practicing civil engineer and author. In his presentation, Jose Lourenco explained how architecture has evolved, from ancient caves and mud houses with rammed earth walls to the modern architecture of today. He gave valuable insights into the different concepts and techniques used while designing and building these houses. With the help of slides, Jose also explained the various architectural elements of design in Goan houses, temples and churches. Mrs. Rajal Shinkre, Principal of Goa College of Home Science, Campal, Panjim, then gave a presentation on “Traditional Goan Foods”. Mrs. Shinkre pointed out that for most Goans, fish is a central part of the diet. She explained how traditions of food differ between communities and yet there are several similarities too. She spoke of seasonally cooked foods, of traditional preparations made during festive and other occasions and of the high nutritional value of many of our traditional foods. The interesting talk and slides shown during the presentation whetted everyone’s appetite for the lunch that followed. After lunch, Dr. Bernadette Gomes, former Sociology lecturer at Government College, Quepem, spoke on the topic “Tribal Life and the Heritage of Communal Harmony in Goa”. Elaborating on some interesting traditions followed by the Gouly, Velip and other communities, Bernadette also explained how tribal heritage was one of living in harmony with nature. She also spoke of common backgrounds and the traditional respect of Goans for each others faiths. Highlighting Goa’s tradition of communal harmony, Bernadette gave several examples of shared beliefs and practices prevalent even now amongst the different faiths and communities in Goa, adding “we share more similarities than differences”. Prajal Sakhardande then gave a short brief on a traditional victory war dance, the Ghode-Modni. This was followed by a live performance of the Ghode-Modni by Shri Ajit Kundaikar and others. The final presentation of the day was made by well-known environmentalist and teacher, Rajendra Kerkar, who spoke on the topic, “Our Environmental Heritage, Bio-diversity and Eco-festivals”. Speaking on eco-festivals, Rajendra Kerkar said that traditionally “we are one with the soil”, and that the cult of nature worship was part of our heritage and a tradition in all communities. He spoke of several eco-friendly traditions that have been practiced down the ages, like the use of organic colours during festivals. He emphasized the fact that even though Goans may be from different communities, yet traditionally we hold many similar beliefs and follow many similar practices. He also spoke about Goa’s natural heritage, the sacred groves, which have been a traditional means of bio-conservation of our natural resources and environment. In their feedback, students said that they had learned a lot from the seminar and had gained knowledge of many things about our Goan heritage that they had not known about before. Sharon D’Cruz, teaching faculty from CES College of Arts and Commerce, Cuncolim, also gave her views on the seminar, thanking the organizers and the resource persons for holding this seminar. The students were then presented with certificates of participation. The seminar concluded with a vote of thanks by Mrs. Maithali Naik from Damodar College.
