The first day of the 48thedition of Manddo Festival was held yesterday at Kala Academy Hall, Panjim, starting at 5.20 pm. It was organized by Goa Cultural and Social Centre in collaboration with Dept. of Art and Culture and Kala Academy Goa.
Total number of Manddes from different groups of Goa yesterday participated were 19 and this programme lasted almost for 4 long hours. The entire proceedings were compered by Dr. Bikaji Ghanekar, Agnel de Borim, Ms Nifa de Silva and Ms Shakira S. Dr. Bikaji Ghanekar has been compeering since the time of inception year of Manddo Festival 48 years back and still going strong though ageing physically while his other three colleagues also brought extra colours to this function.
Dance category
Yesterday’s proceedings devided into the Children Category, Teenagers, Adults and Senior Citizens.
The groups that participated were from Carmona, Porvorim, Velim, Chinchinnim, Cortalim, Mapusa, Taleigao, Aquem, St. Xaviers College – Mapusa, Verna, Little Flower of Jesus School Calangute and Siolim.
Siolim Manddo was among the best yesterday and Mr. Carvalho the lead singer sang extremely well. He is the son of legendary Siolim based musician the late Joazinho Carvalho who was the leader of the then famous Goan Band, Johnson and His Jolly Boys. Joaozinho also played Violin for Congottchim Lahram and Candolimchim Kirna and many times received first prizes for his beautiful musical score. Siolim has got unique distinction of producing the great musicians of Goa including the great late Anthony D’Souza. Siolim was also the home of one the greatest Mandoists of Goa, the late Cruz Noronha whose Manddos are priceless now.
Guests with the organisers
In the youngsters category, Little Flower students of Calangute performed well to maintain the high tradition laid down by the then Congottchim Lahram under the leadership of the late great Mnddo promoter Fausto Andrade who had in his group the majestic singer and Mandoist, the late Souza Giao.
The dance category Manddo performed by Aquem group deserved compliments for dishing out a wonderful performance.
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Senior Citizens from Carmona
Costumewise yesterday’s performers maintained the rich tradition of Manddo Festivals but performancewise the quality was nowhere what it was in sixties and seventies though every group gave its best to maintain the high standard.
Attendancewise, the response was not encouraging as it was in earlier days when one could not see any empty chair in the Hall.
Siolim Group. Mr. Carvalho at extreme left
It was very heartening to see the females mainly the youngsters playing musical instruments, namely Violin and Guitar with lot of enthusiasm.
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The Chief Guest yesterday was Parsenkar the Chief Minister of Goa and his cabinet collegue Nilesh Cabral was the guest of honour.
In his brief speech the Chief Minister applauded the tremendous efforts put in by the organizers to organize this festival and assured his government’s assistance in future.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim - Goa.
Tel: 7507394349.