Govt delivers KO punch to 50-year-old mando fest

Panaji: The iconic state mando festival, Goa's premier celebration of the centuries-old art form, is in danger of cancellation this year. In a move that has shocked culture lovers, Kala Academy (KA) has instructed the organisers of the 50-year-old festival to forego its dates (December 13, 14) because the Serendipity Arts Festival has demanded access to the auditorium three days before it actually begins, on December 15.

Sources at the Goa Cultural and Social Centre told TOI that they booked the hall in March this year to hold the festival on December 13 and 14.

"The Serendipity Arts Festival has been given the hall from December 15 to 22," said a member of the centre. "We even received the confirmation in the first week of April, but on September 20, we received a letter from Kala Academy saying that they need the hall on those dates to prepare for the Serendipity Arts Festival." He added that the centre would have a word with (KA chairman and art and culture minister) Govind Gaude in this regard.

Mando, a unique musical style that forms the meeting point of the Western and Indian musical traditions, developed in the 19th century among the Catholics of Goa, predominantly Salcete. This annual festival, which crossed the half-century mark last year, has been held since 1974. Approximately 40 mando groups from various parts of Goa participate in the event, which is held at Kala Academy.

With many of the groups already having begun rehearsals for the event, organisers have found themselves in a tricky situation. "We have already informed the 40-odd groups about the dates, and they are preparing for the event. It doesn't make sense for us to have our event after December 22, since participants will have to compromise with their Christmas preparations," member of the mando festival organising committee said.

"The order has come to us from the Goa government," a senior member of KA told TOI. "We have therefore, had to block these dates for the festival."

Deputy director of art and culture, Ashok Parab, said: "The department of art and culture, on behalf of the Goa government, has asked KA to reserve the premises for the Serendipity Arts Festival, but we had no role to play in cancellation of other events."

Art and culture director Gurudas Pilernkar, who is also member-secretary of KA, said he was not aware of booking or cancellation of any events. "I have just taken over charge," he said. But Santosh Korgaonkar, the complex manager, told TOI that representatives of the Serendipity Arts Festival had come to KA last week to do a recce of the place. "They asked us to keep the premises free from December 12 to 24 for the sake of the festival," he said.

Former vice-chairman of Kala Academy Sushant Khedekar confirmed that the slot was indeed given to the organisers of the mando festival earlier this year, but having resigned soon after, he was unaware of the Serendipity Arts Festival. "We had received the mando organisers' request for booking of a hall and had granted the same. But I'm not aware of what happened after I resigned from there," he said.

But the move hasn't gone down well with mando aficionados. "The mando festival is our traditional festival preserving our cultural heritage," said Tomazinho Cardozo, founder of the legendary mando troupe Kandollechim Kirnam. "The KA is duty-bound to honour the commitment given to the centre for organising the festival on December 13 and 14. The government has been financially supporting this festival, and thus Kala Academy has no right to cancel the festival. This will certainly hurt the sentiments of Goans."

Cardozo, who has won 11 mando awards from 1978 to 1993, added, "I feel chief minister Manohar Parrikar should intervene and direct Kala Academy authorities to honour the commitment."

Meanwhile, minister Gaude, who took over as chairman of Kala Academy last week, said: "I am yet to check the details of the dates given to Goa Cultural and Social Centre and the ones given to Serendipity Arts Festival. I will only be able to comment after I discuss this with Kala Academy."

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TWIST IN TALE

Mando festival was scheduled on Dec 13, 14

Confirmation communicated by KA in April 2017

Serendipity Arts Festival scheduled from Dec 15

In Sept, Serendipity organisers ask KA to keep premises free from Dec 12

KA asks mando festival organisers to forego the dates