42nd Mando festival, Goa

It was indeed a glittering start to the 42nd Mando festival organised by the Goa Cultural and Social Center in association with the Department of Art and Culture and at Dinanath Mangueshkar Auditorium in Kala Academy in Panaji which took off on 9th December, 2008 at the Kala Academy, Panjim, Goa.

The different categories in which the participants were judged were Children, teenagers, senior, dance and tradition. In all, 37 groups participated in this years Mando Festival. A point to be noted is that there has been an increase in the number of participants in the Mando festival over the past few years. This shows that Goans of this generation are here to preserve the Goan tradition and heritage of Goa as passed on to them by the art and cultural enthusiast of golden Goa of yesteryear's and "Mando" happens to be one of the very important part of our art and cultural heritage.

It was interesting to note that there were several new Goan Mando compositions. Shri. Lyndon Monteiro, vice chairman of GTDC was the chief guest for the occasion. He has assured all help and support for this dance form of Goa i.e."Mando". Shri. Pandurang Phaldessai, Member secretary of Kala Academy was the Guest of Honour.

The groups which participated on the inaugural day were as under :-

1. Children's Category : Bhurgeancho Naad, Saudik Naad and Merxechim Sobit Fulam.
2. Teenagers category :Merces Firgojecho Saad, St. Xaviers Collegicho Naad, Nuvemchim Mannkulim Motiam.
3. Original Composition: Merces Firgojecho Saad, Saudik Naad, Harmonizer's Chorus, Nuvemchim Mannka Motiam.
4. Dance Category: Merces Firgojecho Saad, Saudik Naad
5. Traditional Category: Kormonecho Saad, Saudik Naad, Nuvemchim Mannka Motiam.Harmonizer's Chorus, Merces Firgojecho Saad.

On the 10th December the rest of the Groups participated in the Mando Festival competition.

The best group award was awarded to "Harmonizers Chorous" Utorda
The list of the prize winners in their respective categories are as given under

1. Children's Category : First prize- Merxechim Sobit Fulam, Second prize-Fatordechim Fulam & third prize Naad, Saudik Naad
   
2. Teenagers category :First Prize:Merces Firgojecho Saad, Second Prize-St. Xaviers Collegicho Naad, Third prize-Vellechim Salkam
   
3. Original Composition Category: First Prize: Harmonizer's Chorus Utorda, Second Prize-Goechim Noketram, & Third prize-Mando Mogi.
   
4. Dance Category: First prize -Merces Firgojecho Saad, Second Prize - Vellechim Salkam and third prize - Saudik Naad.
5. Traditional Category: First Prize - Harmonizer's Chorus Utorda, Second Prize - Goechim Noketram & thrid prize - Merces Firgojecho Saad.
6. Senior Citizens Special Prize was bagged by: Porvorinchim Oketram
7. Original Music: First Prize - Inacio Palmeira, Second prize - Michael Graciaus & third prize - Fr. Olavo Caiada.
8. Original Lyrics: First Prize - Fr. Olavo Caiada, second prize -Inacio Palmeira, and Third prize - Michael Gracias
   

Viva - Goa, Viva- Goa, Long live Goan Mando