PONDA
Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude on Sunday appealed to younger generation to get connected with culture and heritage created by their forefathers.
Gaude was speaking during the Fugadi Darshan programme organised by Goan Varta in association with Art and Culture Department at Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir in Ponda. Goan Varta editor Sanjay Dhavalikar, Deputy Director of Tribal Welfare Department Dipesh Priyolkar, promoter of local folklore Pournima Kerkar and Palak Naik were present on the occasion.
On the occasion, a book named as ‘Fugdi Vishesh’ was released at the hands of Gaude.
Shaila Janu Gawde (Canacona), Chandravati Avakhale (Wirdi-Sanquelim), Lakshmi Harvalkar (Nagargaon), Alemiya Dias and Nagi Varak, known for their contribution to ‘Fugadi’ folklore art were felicitated at the hands of Gaude.
Gaude appreciated the efforts of Goan Varta for organising the programme and said there is a need to organise festivals to make popular this art more known.
“Our ancestors did not have any education, but still they created the heritage, respected and stayed in tune with it. The real meaning of our lives is in this culture and heritage,” Gaude said.
“Fugadi has a relation with our lives. It brings us together and creates oneness. Such festivals encourage exchange of ideas with each other,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Sanjay Dhavalikar said that this programme was organised to give a platform to folklore. “This form of art should be protected. Hence we decided to give a platform to artistes to showcase their art,” he said.
Purnima Kerkar said that Fugadi was the medium used by womenfolk to express their thoughts and feelings. “It is not just about song or dance, but giving space to eternal expressions.”
Many groups presented vivid forms of Fugadi on the occasion.
