Yesterday, on 10th of this month, I attended the first day of the 49th Mando Festival in Panjim at Kala Academy Hall, starting at 5.20 PM though officially it was announced at 5.00 PM and attendees were requested to occupy their seats at 4.30 PM. The organisers must stop committing such mistakes next time because it inconveniences the attendees.
One of the adults group
It was a pity to see hardly around 100 persons attending this day’s proceedings in a mighty hall having its capcity to accommodate around 1000 persons. The reserved seats around 100 were almost totally empty. This poor attendance created a very gloomy future for Mando culture in Goa. Since late sixties I have been attending Mando Festivals in Panjim but never ever I noticed such a poor attendance even though now it is free while earlier it was high priced tickets of Rs. 7.00 while for Tiato first class ticket was 2.50 rupees.
Baby Musicians.
Earlier the attendance had class in themselves namely in their dress code mostly the males in Suit and Tie while ladies with rich costumes and in presentable manner. It was a great honour to attend Mando Festivals during those good old days and the Mando Moguis were eagerly waiting to see this festival with great pride and pomp. All these things are now gone to the winds.
One of the senior groups
The first Mando Festival was organized somewhe in 1965 under the leadership of Bernardo Fernandes from Siolim and since 1974 it was organised under the banner of Goa Cultural and Social Centre. This year total number of entries counted were 40 items and on the first day it was 20 but some abstained at the last minute reducing the number. But the quality of first day proceedings was very good especially in senior category. I could easily say that it was as good as it was earlier. The children category also performed well so too the teenager category. The groups from Sarzora, Cansaulim and St. Xaviers College Mapusa stole the show on the first day while others too performed well.
Yet another senior group
On first day the participants took part in all categories namely Children, Teenagers, Senior Citizens, Adults and Dance category. All performed well in singing, music and dress code. Talking of Musical part, there was a total change from what it was earlier. Before you could see only the male adults playing music but now you could see with pride females and young musicians playing Violin, Gumot and Guitar and that too with top excellence.
A beautifully dressed group
Among the 4 Compeers, only one Dr. Bikaji Ganekar was the senior most starting from first Mando Festival and still going strong without any flaw.
Senior citizens group led by 72 year old lady
It was a pity to see in the audience mostly the elders while youngsters shown diminishing interest. This is a very disturbing trend for the future of Mando and its survival. The elders and the organsers must devise some methods to woo the youngsters to Mando culture.
A.Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim, Goa.
Tel:7507394349.