The trend of appreciating photography and photographic
talent in the state has reached a new height with International photo festivals
making a mark on the tourist map of Goa. On display since February 25, 2015,
the Goa Photo 2015 has been grabbing the attention of people driving past any
of the allotted landmarks in Panjim or across the river at Reis Magos Fort. The
first edition of the festival features 19 notable exhibitions by over 20
extraordinary photographers from across the world. Curated by a team comprising
documentary filmmaker Nikhil Padgaonkar, Lola Mac Dougall, former photo editor
of Tehelka Ishan Tankha and renowned photography curator Frank Kalero, the
festival brings the best of photography right to the shores of Panjim.
The beauty of the exhibition is that it is spread across the
city of Panjim. “We were very enthusiastic when the Panjim Church collaborated
with us to exhibit the photographs at the church. Reis Magos Fort is another
interesting venue which is providing a platform for contemporary art,” says
Nikhil, a documentary filmmaker based in Goa. The exhibitions are also on
display at Kala Academy, Inox Courtyard, Old Secretariat Building, Fundaco
Oriente, Charles Correia Foundation and Pousada Gallery, to name a few.
“Being the first edition of Goa Photo, we received calls,
emails and feedback from people who visited the exhibitions and those who are
interested in exhibiting their works by photographers from across Goa,
Bangalore and even Kochi, besides other parts of the country,” adds Nikhil.
“So far, we have received a footfall of nearly 1000 per day
for the festival which will be open till March 7. We hope to make it an annual
event but we need the collaboration from authorities to be a little more
proactive. The state is receiving more cultural tourists which it on the
cultural map of the world. There is also an economic angle to it as due to the
festival, there are more tourists coming in, staying in hotels, eating in
restaurants and visiting different parts of the city,” say Nikhil.
