Just a thought... wish we could revive the mando in Saligao, as was the case in earlier years. FN
*********************************** REPORT FROM GOA: Focus on the Mando *********************************** 'Mando, the last aristocratic dance' Alexandre Moniz Barbosa, TNN, Jul 31, 2010, 05.30am IST PANAJI: Two days after his painting exhibition "Epiphanies of the Hindu Gods" was temporarily closed following protests by the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, theologian, scholar, artist and writer Jose Pereira looked anything but fazed by the alleged threats of decapitation. Warmly welcomed at the release of the book Song of Goa , the 80-year-old was a picture of calm.Casual yet dapper in a blue shirt, the Sanskrit scholar had already defended his paintings which he had said were based on original Sanskrit scriptures. And at Friday's event "Pereira has co-authored the book with Goan composer, the late Micael Martins and priest-psychotherapist and musician Antonio Costa" it was not Hindu gods he was there to talk about. Instead, it was the Goan Mando, the unique song and dance form that for many captures the soul of Goa, that he captured through words. As Curtorimchim Salkham set the mood for the evening with the mandos Zaitinch dukam golloilim and Suria noketram porim porzolta , it was easy to imagine Goa in the 18th century that Pereira described while speaking on the mando. "The mando was an attempt to create a fantasy world on the banks of the Zuari, a Vienna surrounded by the forests of Salcete in lavish halls with chandeliers hanging from above, rich perfume in the air and the dance," said Pereira. The mando as a dance, according to Pereira, was the last aristocratic social dance created anywhere, faithful to the idea of cortezia (courtesy), joi (joy) and amor (love). It expresses, said Pereira, a "man's shy veneration for women". Saying that it incorporates the minuet of Louis XIV time and the contra dance of Louis XV era, Pereira said the Mando, "Is fully in accord with Indian prejudices where there is no contact between the dancers." Dwelling further, the professor emeritus of Theology at Fordham University, New York, said the Mando's music and dance have many contrasts. Pointing out to one such contrast, Pereira said, "The melody is melancholic but the imagery is luminous." He also said that it successfully incorporated the ideologies of Christianity and Romanticism that were diametrically opposite to each other. Goa, according to Pereira, is where Indian musicians first incorporated Western musical forms into their compositions. Physician Francisco Colaco who presented the book said, "It is a great honour for us that Goa acted as the cradle for this synthesis of music." Referring to the controversy over his exhibition, writer Maria Aurora Couto, who profiled Pereira at the function, said, "We need to speak out against the opposition to his work... It is outrageous to suggest that Jose Pereira should set out to offend anybody, least of all Hinduism." As the mando troupe wound up the evening with some popular dulpods, Pereira was engulfed by admirers seeking his autograph on the copy of the book they had just purchased. * * * SONG OF GOA :: Book launch :: a pictoral report http://bit.ly/mando1 The book is out, first time in Goa http://bit.ly/mando2 The formal release http://bit.ly/mando3 Victor da Costa (left) leads his group http://bit.ly/mando4 VIDEOS :: Curtorichim Salkam performs Arnaldo de Menezes (1963-1917)'s Zaitim dukam re varoilim: Goan prizewinning mando group from Curtorim, led by Victor da Costa, performs at the lauch of the book SONG OF GOA (2010, July, published by Goa,1556 and Broadway Publishing House) at Hotel Mandovi in Panjim, Goa on July 30, 2010 -- a rainy day! Menezes' mando appears in the Utrike (Mandos of Yearning) section of the just-published book, co-authored by Dr Jose Pereira, Micael Martins and Fr Antonio da Costa. It says, in translation: "I shed many tears, and nearly went mad. I used to sit at the window, waiting, looking for your shadow." (Zaitim dukam re varoilim/Pixi zauncha' mum re paulim...) The Mando is a dance-song. Its main themes are love and reports of social and political events. But its favourite theme is love, oriented towards marriage, where the lover either yearns for union with his beloved, achieves that union, or laments his failure to realise it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR_47BMt8iU A farewell mando: Adeus kortso vellu pauta Torquato de Figueiredo's (1876-1948) mando from Goa, a region that knows a high rate of out-migration, says this in translation: "The moment of farewell approaches. Oh, my heart suffocates! At the time of farewell, I lose all my hope" Performed above by the prize-winning Curtoriche Salkam, in a much appreciated performance during the launch of the *Song of Goa* book on mandos of Goa. Book available at Broadways, Panjim. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4u2uApUQRQ Dr Jose Pereira, on the mando... Speaking at the release of *Song of Goa* July 30, 2010. Dr Pereira (b. 1931) is Professor Emeritus of Theology of Fordham University, New York, and has authored books on theology, history of art and architecture, and on Goan and Konkani culture, language, literature and music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89gXyVE3DRI * * * 'SONG OF GOA' RELEASED By Janice Rodrigues, Herald Features A JOURNEY unforgettable, a memory cherished, the evening took a trip down the memory lane of Dr Jose Pereira's life and works. The event was the release of his book titled 'Song of Goa' a book all about Goa's songs of love, the 'Mandos'. The release saw the coming together of Goa's foremost propagators of the preservation of tradition and culture in the state. The book 'Song of Goa' goes deep into the love songs of the Mando. "I am filled with honour and pride at the attempt by such an eminent scholar, historian, painter Dr Jose Pereira," said Dr Francisco Colaco, who reviewed the book. He further went on to say that the Mando is a "concrete symbol of the synthesis of two cultures, Latin and Indian." The book was released by Padmashree Maria Couto, who reminisced about the life and career of the great author, saying that she was emotional about speaking of the multitalented person and a really good friend. She even went on to say that speaking of the career and the achievements of the author was close to impossible. "It is difficult to speak about his career except with awe," she said. Further, giving a snippet about his works, she said they were influenced by the Latin Christian traditions and the Indian Hindu culture. The multitalented professor, scholar, painter, and writer, spoke with a sense of humour which left the gathering chuckling even while being enlightened about the Mando. "The Mandos were an attempt to create a practically invisible arena on the banks of the Zuari, said Dr Pereira. He also pointed out the main ideas of joy, love and courtesy that were present in the Mandos. The event was further made entertaining by the Curtorichem Salkam led by Victor Da Costa, who sang the mandos l ike Zaitey Dukham, Surya Noketranchim and Adeus Korcha Vel Ailo. The event was then concluded by an impromptu performances of the various Dulpods by the troupe. -- Photos by Chiquitita. -- FN +91-9822122436 P +91-832-2409490 Updated: http://goabooks.wordpress.com -- This message comes via the Google Groups "Saligao-Net" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/saligao-net?hl=en Please post regularly to keep the e-village active!
