PANAJI:
Shakespeare came alive through performances, films, art andstorytelling at the 16th edition of The Bard by the Mandovi – The ShakespeareFestival Goa, organised by the Department of English, Parvatibai ChowguleCollege of Arts and Science (Autonomous), Margao, on September 24. Themed‘Rebel Shakespeare’, the festival brought together 160 school and higher secondarystudents from eight institutes across Goa for a day of creative engagement andcompetition.
Students explored Shakespeare’s works through Steal-A-Scene,featuring performances from his plays, and The Shakespearean Soliloquy,focusing on his celebrated monologues. Friends, Romans, Countrymen tested theirknowledge of characters and extempore speaking, while Mozaic and Diorama Dramaencouraged artistic interpretations through painting and crafts. BedtimeShakespeare challenged participants to create children’s books, while Snakesand Ladders combined a giant snakes-and-ladders game with spelling bees andother tasks.
In The Bard, students created and performed original poemsabout Goa, which they turned into poetry videos for Frames Per Shakespeare. TheMascot featured students dressed as Shakespearean characters, while Reel2Realbrought these characters into contemporary settings. Teams competed in 10events, with additional activities held at their respective institutes.
The events demonstrated how Shakespeare’s works can beadapted to contemporary forms of expression, including theatre, publicspeaking, visual art, filmmaking and design.
Faculty in-charge Asst Prof Andrew Barreto said the festivalwas encouraging young people to engage with Shakespeare beyond the classroom.
Initiated by the Department of English in 2010, The Bard bythe Mandovi aims to introduce school students to Shakespeare and Englishliterature through creative activities. Over the years, it has developed intoan annual platform for students to perform, experiment and explore his workscollectively.
Team Puck of Sharada Mandir School, Miramar, emerged overallwinners. Team Mercutio of Rosary Higher Secondary School, Navelim, secured therunners-up position, while Team Tamora of The Gera School, Panelim, finishedthird.
Participating institutes included St Joseph’s Institute,Vasco; King’s School, Mugalli; Fatima High School, Margao; The Learning Centre,Moira; and Manovikas English Medium School.
