PANAJI
‘Musoll’ dance, which since centuries was exclusively performed by Catholic Chardos (Kshatriyas) from Chandor’s historic village, ‘Goff’, a farmers dance with chords and ‘Kharvi Nach’ were among the highlights of a folk dance festival held at Azossim recently.
Organised by St Matevachim Nokhetram (SMN), a local group, in association with Directorate of Arts and Culture (DAC), the event offered spectators an offering of a variety of folk dances, especially the unique dance performed in Chandor to commemorate King Harihara’s victory over Cholas in the 14th century.
The dance - men dress as war characters donning dhotis, jackets, gungroos on the ankles and fette (headgear) in Chandor - is being performed by Sateri Kala Krida Mandal, Veling, Mardol for a few years in various places.
The Chandorkars usually do not perform outside the village, except on rare occasions. “Our aim is to popularise Goan folk art and we have been presenting this and various other dances for many years,” Thanu Jhalmi, who led the Veling troupe said.
The show ‘Chol Ya Manddar’ started with Azoxechim Chirputtam performing an eye-catching Mando while Omida Dance and Fitness, Taleigao presented two lively Kharvi and Dekhni dances. The Shree Navdurga Kala ani Sanskrutik Mandal, Marcaim performed two vigorous dances, Divli Nach and Goff, that also kept the spectators applauding.
Womania, a troupe from Azossim, performed a Dekhnni dance and Dancarinhas de Azossim Corridinho, a Portuguese dance, as the show turned out to be a tapestry of cultural heritage and brought the curtain down on a memorable evening.
Joel Ribeiro also sang “Mog Tuzo Kitlo Axelo” and George Gonsalves presented his own composition, “Sopon,” both adding to the evening’s flavour.
St Andre MLA, Viresh Borkar, who was the chief guest lauded the organisers, stating that such events help in keeping our cultural heritage alive and the hard work pays off in nurturing new talent.
Earlier, SMN President Agnelo D’Cunha welcomed the guests, Craby Fernandes compered the programme and Dr Shamin Pereira proposed the vote of thanks. Timoteo Fernandes, a well-known figure in the cultural field, the first King Momo and founder of Carnival parade, was guest of honour and Fr Jose Dias, parish priest of St Mathew’s Church, Azossim were present.
DAC’s scheme to extend support to various organisations to come up with projects to promote and preserve culture at village, taluka and district level is helping to keep folk traditions alive.
Summing up the gains of the festival, D’Cunha said, “More workshops and cultural programmes at the panchayat level are required to inculcate the importance of rich Goan cultural ethos, traditions and historical richness among people. Only then can we live the dream of Goa going great at the national and global level.”
