Going into 2023, Goa continues to be a haven for creative minds
and artistic expression. Despite being the smallest state in India, Goa’s rich
culture and love of the arts has produced artists and musicians whose fame has
spread beyond its borders, while promoting growth and nurturing fresh talent.
Last year, the state’s once booming art scene struggled to recover from the
effects of the coronavirus pandemic. As a sense of normalcy returns to the
populace despite fresh Covid-19 reports from China and predictions of new
waves, 2023 presents a hopeful future for the state’s immensely talented
professionals
Norman Tagore, Artist:
This year, I want to promote the Goan art scene in an attempt to
make it not just one of the hottest art spots in India, but in the entire
world. I will be curating shows on a regular basis, and will have a few shows
here in India. I will be engaged with my regular artwork and organise exhibitions.
In the past, I have worked with over 350 models from all over. Now we’ve opened
an art center in Corgao. We have 450 sq meters of property and a large working
space of 150 sq meters. This presents the opportunity to work with models from
all over India.
Hema Sardesai, Singer:
My life has always been dedicated to the betterment of people
and Mother Earth. Through my music, I want to promote the idea of ‘One World,
One Family’, where everybody belongs and we stop segregating and separating
from each other on any grounds. I wish to expose the wrongdoings of society
through my work and music. I have held contests for senior citizens, attended
functions and worked with Udaan to aid underprivileged children, attempting to
find their talents, to give them joy and to make them believe in themselves. I
will fight for justice and talk about the evils in society to whatever level it
requires my attention.
Rajdeep Naik, Actor:
Last year in 2022, after Covid, we wanted to draw attention to
Konkani dramas and make them commercially successful like Konkani tiatrs. This
form of theatre is overlooked and does not enjoy the same level of recognition
and popularity as tiatrs do. Konkani children’s theatre in Goa does not receive
any attention. In 2022, we started shows for a play by Suchita Narvekar under
the National Education Policy. In 2023, we aim to have over 200 shows in an
attempt to reach out to as many parents and schools as possible. We want
children’s theatre to take flight in Goa and are working towards that. Theatre
for children is an art form that needs more recognition and that is what we are
focusing on in 2023.
Hanuman Kambli, Artist:
I wish to continue making a lot of paintings in the year 2023. I
take my work one day at a time. I don’t really plan out the way I go about my
work, but I contemplate and work day by day. We have just started the year and
I believe that everyday has the potential to be exciting. Each new day is
beautiful and presents its own challenges. There are aspects of my work that I
would like to improve on this year. I will paint some bigger paintings, on a
larger scale. For me, painting is a progressive journey, and the art only
improves with time and practice.
Joywin Fernandes, filmmaker:
As a filmmaker, my goal has always been the same, and is no
different this year – to make good movies. Covid-19 has changed the people’s
viewing habits. Since the coronavirus pandemic, the audience doesn’t come to
theatres to watch movies. They prefer watching movies and shows on their
mobiles from the comfort of their homes. I will be launching Goa’s first
Konkani OTT platform exclusively for Konkani movies. It’s called ‘Super8OTT’
and will be launched by the end of February. Some of the projects it will
feature include ‘Just Married’, starring Rajdeep Naik and Paresh Parab, ‘Tu Na
Tor’ starring Kevin D’Mello, ‘Journey’ and the youthful movie, ‘Love Triangle’.
Emmanuel De Noronha, Musician:
I am looking to start the year 2023 off on the right foot by
launching my third single called ‘Fool’, which will released at midnight on
January 6, on all streaming platforms. Personally, the latter half of 2022 has
served as a great stepping stone, and this year, I’m looking forward to writing
and releasing new music. Besides that, this year, I will focus on performing,
collaborating with fellow artists, learning new things, experiencing life, and
above all just enjoying the process. To sum it up, I’m going into 2023 with an
open mind and the motivation to work towards my goals and where I want to be.
Yolanda De Sousa, Artist:
This year, I would like to keep on doing what I love doing best,
that is painting. I don’t normally set goals or decide what I’m going to do
beforehand. It is when inspiration strikes that I feel the urge to work on a
painting. When it does strike, I’m immediately at the canvas, painting. I take
life as it comes. However, I’ve lost a lot of time during the previous years
due to the coronavirus pandemic, as we couldn’t have as many shows. So I do
have a vision that I want to organise my solo show by the end of this year, as
my work does take some time to complete. It is possible that it may happen
sooner, as I don’t plan that far in advance and only have a solo show when I
feel like I have prepared works of adequate quality.
