The stage is set as the Mando of Goa will come alive with children,
youngsters and adults swinging to the music dressed in beautiful colours. The
Goa Cultural and Social Centre, in collaboration with Directorate of Art and
Culture, Kala Academy and State Bank of India, will be celebrating the Golden
Jubilee of the state level Mando Festival till December 15, 2016.
Francisco Noronha, President
of the Goa Cultural and Social Centre is celebrating the success of the Mando
festival as when it started 50 years back, there were just 4-5 groups that
performed here. “We had to face many challenges in the past compared to those
we have now. This year, we will see the participation of 53 groups in the
competition which includes 19 children and teenagers groups. The senior
category also has at least 2-3 participants who are youngsters and this is a
huge success. There is at least 60 percent youth involved in the festival and
this promises the survival of Mandos at least for the next 100 years,” says
Francisco optimistically.
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Mandos are the songs with a western influence while
Dulpods are songs of the masses. Three generations of Goans have belted out
their soul for the festival. The event has seen many children aged into
teenagers and teenagers turn into seniors. Today’s young children are also
encouraged to lend their fresh voices in the singing.
Speaking about the audience response, Francisco
would be happy if it was well attended. “The Mando culture has considerably
picked up in the last 10 years and though it is only a two days festival, there
are some who come for the first day and then drop or vice versa. The auditorium
is at least 75 percent full, but we would be glad if it could go upto even 110
percent in the future. The festival is free and open to all. We encourage
songwriters to compose new original Mandos every year and nearly 10- 12 songs
are prepared and performed at every festival.” This year, the festival was
inaugurated with a special souvenir book and felicitation of the past
presidents of the association.
Fr Olavo Caiado, Director of Diocesan Centre for
Social Communications Media has been a part of the Mando festival since his
college days at St Xavier’s College, Mapusa. For the past eight years, he has
been writing original Mandos for the group Goenchim Kirnnam which has been
winning awards for the same category. “While writing a Mando, I usually think
of an incident which is mostly based on love or tragedy. I imagine a couple
falling in love, their aspirations, the society and whether people will accept
or reject their love. For Dulpods, I add the elements of present day reality
and incorporate the current affairs and also love aspects. The beauty of the
Dulpods is that it also has to teach values and love to the society. People
should attend the Mando festival and youngsters should follow the old
traditions of Mando songs but they should have openness for new ideas,” says Fr
Olavo.
Goenchim Kirnnam has been winning the overall Best
Mando group award for three consecutive All Goa Mando Festivals and made their
comeback to win it again at the 49th All Goa Mando Festival. Prof Cosmo
Fernandes, formed the group in 2004 and they give their best every year for the
competition. “The annual Mando festival is a unique festival in Goa as it
provides a platform for young artists and new groups. The presidents of the
association have done a great job in preserving the rich cultural heritage of
Mando which is a love song followed by a Dulpod which is a satirical take on
society. Mando, though influenced by Portuguese, uses only Konkani words and
encompasses poetry, music and dance. Starting with slow beats for Mando, it
progresses to a faster tempo with Dulpods,” says Cosmo, an Associate Professor and
head of the Konkani Department at MES College, Vasco.
He further adds, “The popularity for Mando has
increased as every year people ask me if our group is performing and they have
certain expectations, Since 2004, around 90 percent of our group has remained
the same including members like Atasha D’Souza, Fr Petersimon Mascarenhas, Fr
Damacian Carvalho, Fr Olavo Caiado on rhythm guitar and Selvyn Braganza on
first violin. I only hope that Mando will be soon included in the curriculum so
that more children would learn about Mando.”
(The Goa Cultural and Social Centre,
in collaboration with Directorate of Art and Culture, Kala Academy and State
Bank of India, will organise the Golden Jubilee of the State Level Mando
Festival on December 14 and December 15, 2016 at Kala Academy, Campal from 6:30
pm onwards. Open to all.)
