Goa is a land of many traditions. Music, dance, and food form a large part of our culture. Mando or Manddo (Konkani mānḍô) is a musical form that evolved during the 19th and 20th century among Goan Catholics. It’s a centuries-old art form and a much-loved tradition in our state. However, it looks like these traditions could soon be lost forever.
Mando No More???
Sources at the Goa Cultural and Social Centre told TOI that they booked the hall in March this year to hold the festival on 13th and 14th December.
“The Serendipity Arts Festival has been given the hall from December 15 to 22,” said a member of the centre. “We even received the confirmation in the first week of April, but on September 20, we received a letter from Kala Academy saying that they need the hall on those dates to prepare for the Serendipity Arts Festival.” He added that the centre would have a word with (KA chairman and art and culture minister) Govind Gaude in this regard.
Pic credit – www. joegoauk.blogspot.in
An aggrievance to the followers of tradition
All these participant groups have already started practices and rehearsals for the festival. If the same is perhaps postponed for after Christmas, it will create problems for the participants in terms of their Christmas celebrations.
This move definitely isn’t sitting well with Mando aficionados. “The Mando festival is our traditional festival preserving our cultural heritage,” said Tomazinho Cardozo, founder of the legendary Mando troupe Kandollechim Kirnam. “The KA is duty-bound to honor the commitment given to the centre for organizing the festival on December 13 and 14. The government has been financially supporting this festival, and thus Kala Academy has no right to cancel the festival. This will certainly hurt the sentiments of Goans.”
Govind Gaude, art and culture minister who took over as chairman of Kala Academy last week, said: “I am yet to check the details of the dates given to Goa Cultural and Social Centre and the ones given to Serendipity Arts Festival. I will only be able to comment after I discuss this with Kala Academy.”
(Source – TOI)
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