When Art met Life
The festival that made Panjim feel cool about its heritage and its
architectural vestige was undoubtedly the Fontainhas Festival of the Arts
By Harshvardhan Bhatkuly
News arrived that the deal for this year’s International Film Festival
of India was inked out in Delhi. Many may assume that the city has begun
to sport a spruced up look because of the IFFI. Although one cannot
discount the fact that the IFFI did bring about a change in the way
Panjim looks, but it surely was not where it all started.
The festival that made Panjim feel cool about its heritage and its
architectural vestige was undoubtedly the Fontainhas Festival of the
Arts. By far the best time Panjim has had in one of its most charming
locales.
I was lucky to be a passive party to what could have become an important
landmark in Goa’s tourism calendar. But fell prey to disinterest and
later cynicism from the organizers, sponsors, residents and yes, the State.
The first time round when the Fontainhas Festival was planned, it was as
if the entire jigsaw was waiting to be pieced together. The organizers –
Goa Heritage Action Group – was a group of very enthusiastic mix of
professionals and heritage lovers. Goa had a ‘can-do, will-do’ Chief
Minister in the form of Manohar Parrikar.
The idea was simple – to focus on Panjim’s heritage by using Fontainhas
as a backdrop. The draw was art and the medium were the houses of local
residents.
For the first time, people in Goa, or for that matter India, opened up
their homes for other people to walk in. Art was hung and displayed in
the living rooms of Fontainhas residents. People would walk in and
appreciate the works, talk to artists and I can name at least a handful
of artistic careers which have been the direct creation of this
festival. That done, there would be music and live performances enacted
in the public squares of Fontainhas. A brass band near Mary Immaculate
High School, a ‘ divli naach’ near the fountain ( from which Fontainhas
derives its name), Remo belting ‘ Maria Pitashe’ near Panjim Inn or
Lorna singing ‘ Red Rose’ from the little ground opposite Antonio
Sousa’s house.
Add to all this, the essence of authentic Goan cuisine in the bylanes of
Fontainhas. Mum’s Kitchen, Hotel Mandovi, Raanchikud and others would
dish out mouthwatering wonders one after the other. It used to be a week
full of art, music and good cheer. Where friends would meet in the
evenings for a bite and a bit of music. Where children would get their
poratraits in pencil drawn by students of the art college. Where decent
deals for buying local art were cut, thus creating a whole new bunch of
artistic pool in Goa.
Was the festival successful? Hugely. Just go by how people have begun to
restore old houses, not to mention the sudden demand for old ‘
Portuguese’ houses from cash- rich Delhiwallahs and their ilk. The
objective of the Goa Heritage Action Group to disseminate information
about our architectural and cultural heritage seemed to have been
achieved. But then it was the job of the Tourism Department to latch on
to such a wonderful property that could have ensured quality tourism for
years to come.
The one area where the organisers could have fared better was to create
a bridge with the residents who not only had to open up their houses and
literally compromise on their household privacy for a week or more, but
who rightly or wrongly felt used by the authorities. What did they
receive besides a fresh coat of paint? My gut feeling is that had they
been offered centrestage to being trustees of the event, the Fontainhas
Festival would have flourished and gone from strength to strength.
This festival which was put together by the collective genius of a
handful of people. Further testimony to a fact that the universe
conspires to get things done when a few people have a larger interest of
the society at heart. The Goa Heritage Action Group has always been
blessed with people who mean well for Goa’s cultural and architectural
heritage. Now the only missing link is the political will.
Sure, the IFFI is a bigger event and draws the stars ( paid for, of
course), but the Fontainhas Festival brought art and life of Panjim
together.
Could we have a once more?!
(ENDS)
http://www.epaperoheraldo.in/Details.aspx?id=1406&boxid=32436468&uid=&dat=9/29/2011
Goanet A-C-E!
Arts ~ Culture ~ Entertainment
