The journey of Konkani cinema began with ‘Mogacho Anvddo’ on April 24, 1950. Al Jerry Braganza’s efforts to make the first Konkani cinema has inspired many to make films in Konkani. The industry has been growing at a fast pace since the first International Film Festival of India was held in Goa in 2004. In 2016, an unofficial Konkani Cinema Day was celebrated on April 24. Current success of Konkani film Nachom-ia Kumpasar has validated this claim.
The event was organized by Dalgado Konknni Akademi (DKA) and Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG). Calangute MLA Michael Lobo was the chief guest at the event has lent his support to the cause of Konkani Cinema Day.
“I will raise the issue of seeking Government’s approval to officially celebrate Konkani Cinema Day in the forthcoming Assembly session and would look forward to see how many of the elected representatives would side with me,” he said as quoted by a press release by Dalgado Konknni Akademi (DKA).
Currently Nachom- ia Kumpasar is continuing to win accolades. It is being invited from across the globe in various film festivals even two years after the initial premier on December 4, 2014. It has been screened in countries like USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia, South Africa, Qatar, Dubai, Kuwait, Bahrain, Muscat, Bahamas, Canada, New Zealand and Singapore.
The film was recently invited to be screened at New York Indian Film Festival 2016. Besides winning National Awards the film has also won a Dada Saheb Phalke Film Award 2016 for Best Original Music. Some of its achievements are noted below.
List of awards won by Nachom-ia Kumpasar
At Golden Reel Awards at Tiburon-USA
- ‘Best musical award’
At 62nd National Film Awards
- Best Konkani film
- Best Production Design
- Special Jury Award for female actor Palomi Ghosh (India),
At the London Indian Film Festival
- Best Film (Lebra Play Award Audience choice Award).
At Brasov International Film Festival (Brasov-Romania)
- Best Film in the out of competition category.
- Best original score and best music in a feature.
At the Global Music Award United States (California-USA)
- Silver
At the Milan International Film makers festival (Italy)
- Best director for foreign film.
- Best original score.
- Best sound design.
- Nachom-ia Kumpasar was also included in the shortlist for the 2016 Oscars.
List of film festivals Nachom-ia Kumpasar has participited in
- Melbourne Indian Film Festival.
- Mexico Cinefest.
- Chicago South Asian Film Festival.
- Seattle South Asian Film Festival.
- Mumbai Audio & Moving Images Festival (MAMI).
- All Lights International Film Festival, Kochi.
- International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
- Bahamas International Film Festival.
- Honolulu South Asian Film Festival.
- Victoria Film Festival Canada.
- Rapid Lion – South African International Film Festival.
These achievements by a Konkani Film validate the current demand for an official Konkani Cinema Day. It is not the only Konkani film that has been praised critically. But other Konkani film such as ‘Zor’, had been screened at New York Indian Film Festival in 2015.
Another Konkani film, Paltadacho Munis released in 2009 was received well by the critics as well, bringing much needed focus on the Konkani cinema industry. over the past two – three years there are increasing number of Konkani films being made with budgets even stretching to crores of Rupees. Nachom-ia Kumpasar which was crowd funded had a budget of 3.5 crores another film ‘Baga beach’ had a budget of 3 crores.
The recent and past achievements have made it relevant for a official Konkani Cinema Day to be celebrated in Goa. The day can also create an awareness amongst the general public about the local cinema.
