The 56th edition of the All Goa State Level Mando Festival was held recently at the Menezes Braganza hall in Panjim on December 12 and 13. Milagres Fernandes the General Secretary of Goa Cultural and Social Center said the standard of the performances were very good. There were a lot of groups this time when compared to the previous year. He said due to Covid, the organisers had hesitated to bring them and then several band leaders had also fallen sick. This time he said there were wonderful groups and the competition was tough.
He said it felt good to see the next generation so motivated and full of beans. The team leaders, he said, were doing a great job to mould them. He said,” The children have the love for Mando in their heart. They learn it from someone and it stays in their heart. Some of the children are so innocent and so appreciative.”
The competition was divided into five sections. In the children’s category the first prize was won by Kansavlechim Sallkam of Cansaulim, the second prize by Crescendo from Mapusa and the third prize by Spring Valleychim Mankulim Mannkam from Pilerne.
Fr Benny the team leader of Kansavlechi S Mando that won the first prize in the children’s category said they were his altar servers. He said he called them for the children’s choir through which he selected them. For the Mando competition, he said it took him two months to train them. He had kept aside an hour everyday to train them. He said it was difficult because they had tuitions but they still kept some time aside for him. Father, who is from St Thomas church Cansaulim said he had the support of his parish priest Fr Avemaria Affonso who was very encouraging and was very keen that the culture and traditions of Goa were alive.
In the teenager’s category Sant Antonicho Svadik Nad from Majorda came first, Bhagevont Terezachim Parmollit Fulam from Candolim came second and St Xaviers Collegicho Naad from Mapusa came in third.
Michael Gracias the group leader of the winners, said most of the teenagers were from the locality in Majorda and Betalbatim. He said he spent a month and a half training the teenagers everyday for an hour and a half. He said he spent 16,000 for the costumes when the prize money was just Rs 5000 only. He said it was a first time experience for most of them though a few he said he had brought them in the children category a couple of years ago. Michael said,” They love the art form now. It is their dedication that has won them the day. Always say youth are not interested but if you show them the grandiosity of the art they will come Mando has a standing and that helps. They are attracted to this art form now.”
In the traditional category, De Amor from Sirsaim came in first, Mando Mogi from Margao came in second and Curtocares from Curtorim came in third. Worrel D souza the group leader of the winner said he was the founder of the group but since they were all friends every year there would be a rotation of the leader. He said he was from Sirsaim but everyone else was from all over the State. The one time teacher at Xavier College said he was part of another Mando group and then he suggested to his friends that they have a Mando group of their own. This he felt would ensure they stay in touch. For 16 years, he said he was involved in dance Mando along with traditional. A friend then started writing original Mandos. He said they would participate in original and traditional and dance but during the covid virus, they dropped the dance event. The group he said won the Mando Award and this year had also won the original category and traditional came third in the dance category. He said they were declared overall winners for the second time. In the dance category, Ami Curtorkars came in first followed by Curtocares from Curtorim and De Amor from Sisaim came in third. Milton who was the group leader for the winners said he has been associated from the age of 14 and now he was in his 60’s. He knew all the people and there were a couple of groups in Curtorim and he had won this in 2019. So it felt good, he said.
One hopes the charms of the Mando never lose its admirers.
