Rupesh Samant

Panaji, Apr 30: A series of people’s festivals highlighting the traditions, art, culture and heritage of Goa will be held in various parts of Goa starting from May 1.

The series of festivals on the anvil include, Mudansachem Fest scheduled on May 1, 2019 at NV Farms, Dharbandoda; May 5 Bailanchem Fest will be held at Peaceful Society, Madkai; From May 7 to 9 Bhurgeanchem Fest will be held at Our Lady of Divar School, Divar Island; On May 14 Ambechem Fest will be held at Thane in Valpoi; On May 17 Divadechi Pasoi will be held at Divar Island.

The press conference explaining the various aspects of the festivals being held in the month of May was addressed by the pioneer of the traditional festivals Goa’s festakar Marius Fernandes, besides leading historian Prof Prajal Sakhardande, and founders of Uzwaad, a community service group Arati Rane Sardessai and Sendra Pereira.

Addressing the media persons, Marius Fernandes said, “the focus of festivals is sharing knowledge of our art, culture, music, heritage and networking in various villages with a bottom-up approach.” These festivals involve travelling to various villages of Goa where different communities will interact, share and learn the traditional skills, Fernandes explained.

“We are glad that Marius Fernandes, Goa’s festakar returned to his roots to Goa and more importantly returned to the festivals. His presence in Goa infuses enthusiasm that is required in Goa that will help us to once again celebrate Goa in all he hues. These festivals help us in keeping the heritage alive for posterity and therein lies its pertinence.” The group of Uzwaad led by Sendra and Arati carries forward the torch of enlightening the youth, he added.

Elaborating on the role of Uzwaad in preserving Goan culture and heritage, Sendra said, they plan to create awareness on the socio-cultural issues facing Goa and Goans. Through these festivals, we want to reach out to the young minds by emphasising on the need to pass on to the next generations our rich cultural heritage. “We intend to use this medium of festivals to communicate to the youth the need to preserve our environment and give up plastics including plastic straws and appealed to the people to use reusable straws,” Sendra said.

“Uzwaad members will conduct cultural activities like tiatr, Goan traditional dance, divli dance, street plays, singing traditional songs, painting and traditional arts and games,” Aarti explained on the need to preserve traditions and overcome the new-age problems of addiction to the cellphones and television.