Goa - Festivals @ whatisindia.com

The Fontainhas Festival of the Arts is a unique festival that has no parallel anywhere else in India. This festival turns private houses into art galleries for eight days every year. In 2004, this festival took place in the capital city of Panaji from January 10th to 17th. It involved 40 well-decorated houses of Fontainhas and Mala, which formed the precinct for the unique eight day art, heritage and music bonanza. The private houses turned into art galleries featuring the work of 45 artists. Visitors appreciated the works of art and the architectural beauty of the heritage homes and interacted with Goan families in their own environment as well as artists. Artworks ranged from paintings, sculpture, installation to pottery at prices to suit all budgets. Musicians and other performing artists, dancers kept local visitors and from abroad entertained through live performances at various streets and squares. Food was served in courtyards and balcaos and through temporary street restaurants.

Art works are displayed in heritage homes in balcaos, verandahs, salas and dining rooms. Part of the proceeds go towards the preservation of Goa's priceless heritage homes for up-gradation and upkeep.

A workshop for children to inculcate awareness of their heritage and appreciate art and a workshop titled From Dot to Line was also held, spearheaded by renowned art promoter Geeta Kapadia.

GOA HERITAGE FESTIVAL

The Goa Heritage Festival is held every year in the vicinity of heritage buildings in the capital city of Panaji. The Festival is organized by the Goa Heritage Action Group, an NGO based in Goa along with its festival partners - the Corporation of the City of Panaji and the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa.

Goa Heritage Action Group (GHAC) is devoted to conserving built heritage of Goa. The festival exhibits the rich heritage of Goa and its lifestyle. It also gives a platform for local artists and artisans to present their art. A beautiful cultural display of Goa's ethnic folk dances form a part of the programme. There are also interesting demonstrations by local artisans besides presentations and lectures on various aspects of heritage conservation and open discussion forums.

KESARBAI KERKAR MUSIC FESTIVAL

The prestigious Surashree Kesarbai Kerkar Smriti Sangeet Samaroha organized by Kala Academy is usually held in the month of November at the Kala Academy complex at Panaji. Well known musicians and singers from all over India participate in this festival. There are also dance performances to accompany the classical vocal recitals.

The music festival has been held for the last 23 years and offers a feast to Goan music and dance lovers and connoisseurs in the form of performances by some of the top class artistes of the country.

KONKAN FRUIT FEST

The three-day Konkan Fruit Fest features exhibition-cum-sale of fruits from the Konkan belt and is open to the public from morning till late evening. A variety of fruits on display, seminar and interactions, eating and carving contests and music - all under one roof, held in May at the Campal heritage precincts, Panjim (capital of Goa).

Research Institutes such as the Indian Institute for Horticultural Research, the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Directorate of Horticulture, Karnataka and Konkan Krishi Vidyapeet, Vengurla take part in this festival.

A large variety of mangoes commercially grown at the national level as also varieties of guavas, chickoos, Alphonso mango from Sindhu, Patna and other mango varieties from Vengurla are some of the attractions. Goan participation is through the Directorate of Agriculture which exhibits a range of fruits from aonla to zizypus rugosa. Most of the 35 Goan mango varieties are also on display. Similarly traditional fruit vendors from the typical Goan bazar re-create the old market scenario with their baskets selling jamblam, bibbe and many other fruits well known in Goa.

The festival competitions include mango eating competition, watermelon carving contest and fancy dress competition where all the participants have to dress like a fruit. The three day Konkan Fruit Fest also holds music and entertainment shows every evening.

MANDO FESTIVAL

The Mando is a beautiful song dance performance. Mando is sweetly sad in its melody and very elegantly choreographed. Young men and women gracefully weave rhythmic patterns to the beat of a ghumot (mud percussion instrument) and the romantic strains of the violin. Slow and sad at the beginning, the Mando ends in the lively Dhulpod. The theme of the traditional Mando is Love-Romance, but of late there has been some innovation with a diversity of thematic subjects.

In their dances, the men adopt the somber-colored European suit, with its trousers, jacket and vest. But the women wear a two-piece bazu-torhop: the torhop, or sarong-like waist-cloth, the bazu or bodice, and, partly covering both, the tuvalo, or shawl. The ceremonial bazu-torhop, known as the fot, was lined with bands of silk and velvet, and embroidered with ribands or gold thread.

The Mando thus represents the mingling of Indian and Western traditions. The thump of the gumott (pot-shaped earthenware drum) is a sign that the Mando is about to begin. Two files of dancers form, one of women, arrayed in bazu-torhops (or fots) of silk and velvet, stiff with floral patterns in gold thread; and the other of men, in dark or gray suits, a monochrome foil to the rich chroma of the women's file. The ladies usually hold fans, making their file one long flutter of white. Since the 7th year of the festivals, in 1974, the Goa Cultural & Social Centre has been organizing the event, annually without fail.

MONTE MUSIC FESTIVAL

Monte Music Festival is about harmonizing the strings of music and binding different cultures together on one platform. Conceived to bring together Western classical and Indian classical forms of music the Festival is organized by the Fundacao Oriente and Cidade de Goa in association with the Kala Academy and is usually held in November. The Festival has been held for the last two years and is evolving into an annual event. It endeavors to link heritage with culture by bringing together the classical traditions of India and the West while also providing an ideal opportunity for music lovers to enjoy and collaborate in promoting Goa as a cultural destination.

The venue for the festival is the courtyard of Capela da Nossa Senhora do Monte (Chapel of Our Lady of the Mount) located on a hillock near the Old Goa church complex. Facing west and providing a panoramic view of Old Goa, the Mandovi river, the islands of Divar and Chorao, Ribandar and the Arabian sea, the courtyard makes a perfect setting for the sunset performances.

There are scheduled performances in all in three different settings — the amphitheatre, the courtyard and the Chapel itself. The Festival is usually spread over 4 days with performances starting at 5 pm. The Festival features a wide range of artistes showcasing their musical talent to complete perfection. There are sitar, sarod, harmonium and vocal recitals besides barroque music.

SEA FOOD FESTIVAL

The 5-day Sea Food Festival is an annual event with special focus on Goan food. Goans' have elevated cooking to a delicate art, thereby evolving a unique cuisine, which is an inspired blend of the Western and Indian variety. However, seafood with a host of fresh varieties forms the main attraction. Goan seafood is sure to satisfy the most discerning gourmet.

A number of stalls run by reputed caterers both from the best hotels as well as restaurants and even housewives offer one a rich experience of Goan cuisine. There are also stalls catering to aerated drinks, alcoholic beverages, ice-creams and snacks. Cultural programmes and fire works display are also presented, which also concludes the food celebration.

Reference:
http://www.goatourism.org/

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