the goan I network
MARGAO
Addressing a gathering on the occasion of the golden jubilee of Goa Cultural & Social Centre organised at the 50th All Goa State Level Mando Festival in association with Department of Art & Culture and Kala Academy, at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, on Monday, Parsekar also assured all support from the government to such organisations like the ‘Centre’ which works towards preserving the Goan traditional folk art forms.
Narrating the efforts undertaken by the government in promoting Konkani in officialdom, Parsekar pointed out to a book release which contains a compilation of the State Assembly proceedings conducted in Konkani. In addition, Parsekar also recounted other such efforts of the government.
“We have conducted a one-day training camp for imparting training for compering a function in Konkani. Two officers from each government departments have attended the training camp,” Parsekar told the audience.
In order to conserve ‘Goemkarponn’ and Konkani language, Parsekar said it is equally important to safeguard and conserve Goan musical and cultural heritage as symbolised by Cantar/ Bhajan/ Mando/ Fugdi/ Dhalo, et al. “Although it is important to educate oneself to grow, it is also important to preserve Goan heritage (Daiz). This is also important to preserve Goa’s speciality,” he added.
Addressing the gathering, GTDC Chairman Nilesh Cabral, who was also the guest of honour on this occasion, said ‘Mando’ has been promoted in the event calendar of GTDC. “This will put Mando on the world tourism map as a Goan attraction,” Cabral remarked.
Speaking at the function, Ravindra Bhavan Chairman, Damu Naik, who was the special guest for this function, spoke of the close link of ‘Mando’ with Goa’s traditional and State instrument, ‘Ghumat’. Naik said Goan heritage in the form of folk art as signified by Mando/ Dhulpad/ Cantaram, which have been conserved by our elders, have to be presented before the people in order to pass on this art form to the younger generation.
A souvenir to mark the golden jubilee of the Mando festival conducted by the Goa Cultural and Social Centre was also released by the Chief Minister.
Earlier, president of the Centre, Francisco Noronha welcomed the gathering to inform that a total of 53 groups are participating in this festival, of which 19 comprise of the youth. Treasurer Milagres Fernandes proposed the vote of thanks.
The festival will also be held on December 14 and 15, at Kala Academy, Panaji.
