18 Aug 2017  |   05:52am IST

A youthful approach to Goa’s traditions

In recent times, various traditional festivals and events promoting Goan culture have been taking place in the state and it is heartening to see that along with the elders of the respective villages, a number of youngsters are also actively participating in these events. Café takes a closer look

Dolcy D’Cruz

Be it the recently held Pattoleanchem Fest

or the upcoming Moll'lachem Fest

, the wave of tradition that has been making its way across the state is refreshing. These festivals, promoting Goan culture, are not being held as an obligation but as a lovely way of preserving our culture. But culture is something that is carried forward and built upon and it is important for the youth to involve themselves with such activities and learn from their elders. And that is exactly what you get to see if you stop by any of these venues; people of different ages working together with big smiles and happy hearts.

On Independence Day, Soccorro Socio-Art and Cultural Association, Porvorim celebrated its 5th annual Pattoleanchem Fest. The Socorro church grounds had transformed into an arena of various activities as many people from different walks of life wanted to be

a part of the festival. This Sunday, August 20, 2017, a new festival, Moll'lachem Fest

, will be celebrated at the same venue with a new idea. Marius Fernandes has planned the entire festival within a week, with the database of veteran artists who want to pass on this traditional legacy to the next generation.

“We will be starting at 11am with the focus on art of weaving and ‘Rotesao’ for this festival. The resource persons will include Philu D’Souza

, who will demonstrate the weaving technique and the most difficult part of finishing the knot, Josefa Baptista Roberts and Aurora Lobo will demonstrate the chair weaving or ‘Rotesao’ technique, Annu Surya Dargalkar will showcase basket weaving and Augustine Ferndnes will teach youngsters to peel a coconut with only the koito.

One never lets someone leave their house with a hungry stomach, so the day will end with a Goan lunch,” says Marius.

Through the different traditional festival

s organised lately, the young

er generation

s of Goa are getting a glimpse of the

way things were in the time of their forefathers. Many youngsters are now volunteering to be a part of the festival and promot

e it to reach across Goa. “The beauty of these festivals is that people have to volunteer to be

a part of it and besides the village youngsters, many are coming forward to show their full support. Besides a team of ten veteran team members who have been with me for many festivals, many more are joining after each festival,” explains Marius.

Carlos Gonsalves, a renowned percussionist, was announced as the Brand Ambassador of the

ghumott. He has shown his enthusiasm to carry the ghumott with him for every performance in India and aboard. “Day by day, the festivals in Goa are getting better and many more parishes and

villages are looking forward to having these festivals in their own village. After Sunday’s Moll'lachem Fest, the next will be

the

Ramponnkaranchem Fest in Arambol. I love these festivals as

they are all about our traditions, and help in reviving traditional music and identifying new talent in Goa.

“I will

also be travelling to Spain with Banglanatak

dot com and

my repertoire will include a ghumott

performance. From now on, I will make it a point to play at least one song with the ghumott

at every performance,” assures Carlos.

O’Luv, a Goan singer from Chinchinim, is also looking forward to more festivals. “These festivals are reviving our culture and something that youngsters can learn more about. I love to be a part of bringing back the lost glory of Goa. I feel that the festivals should reach more villages as many people

attend these festivals

and the curiosity is growing,” says O’Luv

, with optimism that Goan youngsters will lead a cultural revival.