The 53rd
State Level Mando Festival for 2 days from 18 to 19 of this month was held in
Panjim at Kala Academy Hall which was started 45 minutes late at 5.45.PM
instead of given time at 5.00 PM thereby
putting the audience into total inconvenience.
The organisers when acting like irresponsible persons then it is bad for
the promotion of the event. They should
not act that they are organising a Zagor or a Sangodd. Mando Festival is a
prestigious event and fitting its image, dignity and credibility, the
organisers should have acted responsibly.
As it is, they have failed miserably in getting the required number of
audience and not hardly 100 as it was seen on the first day, moreover, among
this audience there were close relatives of the participants and minus this means nothing worthwhile. Shame
on you the organisers of this event. I think you are involved in this festival
only to promote yourselves and not the Mandos.
If you cannot perform your duties properly then you must “leave” from
there.
Seen above is the hard core Konknnivadi and the seniormost compeer who is compeering this festival since its inception Dr.Bicaji Ganekar
In the past when it was
found organising of the Mando Festival was a tedious job as far as financial involvement
was concerned, we from Kuwait and myself in particular came forward under
Kuwait Konknni Kendr and sent donations within our capacity. When time came we shouldered our responsibility
and still we would have done more but pigmy from the organising committee
passed a remark that insulted us a lot. There
is a saying in Konkani “Ghorbidaeche Kotten Lhanvikachi Bhik Magchi Nhoi”, then
instead of alms one will get “Mati”. Instead of appreciating our kind gesture of
giving our donation, the pigmy on top of it ignored us when we came all the way
from Kuwait to attend it, inspite of our donation. His sarcastic remark was this: “What Veronica
thinks of himself, just because he sent donation of few thousands rupees, he
thinks he owned the Mando Festival?”. “Are
Baba” it was not Veronica’s donation but it was of KKK from its Fund though Veronica played a positive role to get it sanctioned. At least Veronica and KKK
sent something but others from Kuwait and elsewhere did not even bothered to
know your plight and difficulties you were undergoing to collect funds for
organising this event. Veronica knew your hardships you were undergoing to
raise the required fund and because he had concern and love for this festival in
general and for Mando in particular, he used his goodwill to propose to KKK to
send that funds.
Agnelo de Borim the seasoned compeer
When I was in Kuwait, I
noticed among our people in Goa that they feel like holding us responsible to
patronise their activities and holding us obligated to blindly support
them. When they intitiate their
activities they never take us into confidence and when the alarm bell rings then
they come running, not only running but sprinting for help. And when we render our help then they don’t even
hallow us when we meet them in Goa, many of them turn their faces the other
side. With my direct involvement and
initiative we from Kuwait financed so many activities and projects in Goa to
the tune of Lakhs of Rupees. Where our
lakhs of rupees gone we sent as donation for Goa Cancer Hospital Society at Dona
Paula? Can anyone give an account of it
and where it was utilized or where it is lying now? Where our Lakhs of rupees have gone that we
sent for the establishment of Novem Goem Daily?
Where are all the Trustees of NG gone now? Were not they responsible for the disaster of
Novem Goem by mismanaging it when they should not because they were not the
people belonging to the class of Ladru and Pedru, they were all highly educated
but ultimately they acted worst than the Ladrus and Pedrus. And on top of it these people are seeking
respect In society. They dont deserve any
respect from the society. Due to their
negligence and stupidity they have killed our ambition in Kuwait to move ahead
in supporting such initiatives. For them
in Goa it is nothing because as it is said in one Konkani proverb that “Kapurleak
khuim Kulei sarke ani Thanaim sarkim”.
Coming back to the Mando
Festival. gone were the days when in late sixties and early seventies,
eighties, nineties till recently people used to gather to see Mando Festival in
very good number even by paying ticket money if I am not mistaken, Rs. 7/- but
now even without ticket people failed to come in good number for this free
event. During those days what I have noticed as a young Collegian since I am a
veteran attendee of this festivaI from 1969/70, all the male attendees coming
in Suit and Tie while the females in their posh dress code and thus emitting
more beauty and grandeur to this event because the people then had great love
and admiration for this festival.
Besides, the participating groups had taste and knowledge of Mando and
its composition and other technicalities.
But gradually it went into the hands of Tiatrists and people of low
cadre in this field and who were ignorant of the soul of Mando. During those
days it was like the monopoly of high
cadre of attendees but later on it was embraced also by the law cadre and now it
is nothing of that sort.
Is it because people
lost their interest in Mando Festival or the organisers lost interest in
marketing this event appropriately? This is the serious issue where concerned
people must do the study and take the corrective steps otherwise gradually
Ghanttees will take over it and with certain modification totally Ghantteeised
it thereby bringing an end to this great cultural part of Konkani Goans.
A.Veronica Fernandes.
