Category: Events in Goa

Events in Goa, IFFI 2025

Restored Silent-Era Gem ‘Muraliwala’ Mesmerises Audiences at IFFI 56

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Day 4 of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) offered a magical, immersive journey into India’s cinematic past with the special screening of the restored silent classic Muraliwala (1927). The National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the National Film Archive of India (NFAI), under the National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM), presented the experience as part of the Indian Panorama Special Package, curated to showcase 18 meticulously restored films across multiple Indian languages.

Silent Era Recreated at IFFI 56

NFDC Managing Director Prakash Magdum emphasized that the idea behind the screening was to revive the authentic silent-film experience — complete with live musical accompaniment, just the way audiences enjoyed cinema in the 1920s.

Music composer Rahul Ranade, who led the live performance, said it was both an honour and a challenge to recreate the musical atmosphere of a film made nearly a century ago. “I hope I and my team will do justice to the spirit with which Baburao ji made this film in 1927,” he shared.

Muraliwala, directed by the legendary filmmaker and artist Baburao Painter, is among the few surviving Indian silent films — a rare archival treasure restored with extreme care. Adding emotional depth to the occasion, Baburao Painter’s two daughters were present during the screening.

A Ceremonial Year of Tributes

This year’s curation carries significant historical weight, marking:

  • 125 years of V. Shantaram
  • 100 years since the birth of Guru Dutt, Ritwik Ghatak, Raj Khosla, Bhupen Hazarika, P. Bhanumati, Salil Choudhury, and K. Vaikunth
  • 50 years of NFDC, a pioneer in India’s new wave cinema

The festival features special tributes, including Shyam Benegal’s Susman, spotlighting the master filmmaker’s enduring impact on Indian storytelling.

National Film Heritage Mission: Preserving India’s Film Legacy

Launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, NFHM is India’s most ambitious film preservation initiative. Its mandate covers:

  • Preservation and conservation of camera negatives and prints
  • Digitization and restoration
  • Sourcing rare materials from rights-holders and global archives

Many of the restored films screened at IFFI 2025 were completed with active involvement from filmmakers and cinematographers or their families, ensuring accuracy and respect for the original vision.

Highlights include:

  • Subarnarekha (Ritwik Ghatak) restored from the 35mm master positive
  • Umrao Jaan (Muzaffar Ali), restored from release prints under Ali’s supervision after the original negative deteriorated
  • Gaman, Pyaasa, C.I.D, Ek Hota Vidushak, Githanjali, and more — each restored with precision

This large-scale curation reinforces India’s commitment to safeguarding its cinematic heritage.

List of Restored Films curated for Indian Panorama Special Package

Githanjali (Mani Ratnam/Telugu/137 Mins/ 4K DCP)
Umrao Jaan (Muzaffar Ali – Hindi/145 Mins/ 4K DCP)

Malliswari (B.N. Reddi/Telugu/175 Mins/ 4K DCP)

Rudaali (Kalpana Lajmi/ Hindi/128 Mins/ 4K DCP)

Gaman – (Muzaffar Ali / Hindi/119 Mins/ 4K DCP)

Fear (Ritwik Ghatak/Hindi/18 Mins/ 4K DCP)

Subarnarekha (Ritwik Ghatak/ Bengali/143 Mins/ 4K DCP)

Murliwala – (Baburao Painter/ Silent/ 45 mints)

Party (Govind Nihalani/Hindi/118 Mins/ 2K DCP)

C.I.D (Raj Khosla/Hindi/146 Mins/ 4K DCP)

Pyaasa (Guru Dutt/ Hindi/146 Mins/ 4K DCP)

Ek Doctor Ki Maut (Tapan Sinha/Hindi/122 Mins/ 4K DCP)

Ek Hota Vidushak (Jabbar Patel/Marathi/168 Mins/ 4K DCP)

Kireedam (Sibi Malayil/ Malayalam/ 124 Mins/ 4K DCP)

Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (V. Shantaram/ Hindi/ 100 Mins/ 2K DCP)

Susman (Shyam Benegal/ Hindi/ 140 Mins/ 2K DCP)

Musafir (Hrishikesh Mukherjee/ Hindi/127 Mins/ 4K DCP)

Shaheed (Ramesh Saigal/Hindi/ 1948/ 4K DCP)

Events in Goa

Cooperative Movement Key to Economic Growth and Jobs, Says Assistant Registrar at Mapusa Event

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The 72nd All India Cooperative Week celebrations in Mapusa showcased the growing importance of the cooperative movement in strengthening the economy and generating employment. Assistant Registrar for Cooperative Societies, Rajesh Parwar, emphasised that cooperatives remain essential for economic resilience, community empowerment, and inclusive development. Addressing the event jointly organised by Bardez Bazaar Consumers’ Cooperative Society and the Rotary Club of Mapuca, he explained that successful cooperatives depend on effective management, dedicated staff, and active shareholder participation. Parwar reminded societies of their legal obligation to conduct annual general body meetings and present audit reports to ensure transparency and accountability.

He highlighted new opportunities introduced through the Central Government’s MPACS legislation, which offers cooperatives an open platform to expand into diverse businesses. Parwar also pointed to schemes supporting common service centres, fuel stations, gas agencies, and grain storage, noting NABARD’s financial assistance for these ventures. He stressed that the real strength of the cooperative movement lies in supporting self-help groups, farmers involved in dairy and agriculture, and artisans working in handloom and handicraft sectors, observing that both cooperatives and community groups thrive when they uplift each other.

Guest of honour Amita Salatry of GCCI spoke about the cultural and spiritual significance of food, urging participants in the cooking competition to value presentation, aroma, and the use of traditional Goan elements. She reminded attendees that India’s cultural heritage regards food as divine and encouraged mindful consumption without waste.

Bardez Bazaar Chairman Nikhilchandra Khalap expressed the cooperative’s long-standing commitment to supporting self-help groups and small entrepreneurs. He shared how Bardez Bazaar has become a trusted first choice for distributors and small businesses seeking stability and visibility. Reflecting on Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s vision of cooperatives as “schools of democracy” capable of reaching every household, he emphasised that India’s journey toward self-reliance continues to be supported by all Prime Ministers, including the current leadership under Narendra Modi. Khalap also offered a glimpse into Bardez Bazaar’s humble beginnings, recounting how its founders secured a modest loan of ₹5,000 from Mapusa Urban Bank and developed the organisation into a ₹35-crore enterprise that operates without government aid or debt, employs 100 people, and consistently delivers a 20% dividend to its shareholders.

Rotary Club of Mapuca President Rohit Natekar announced that the club and Bardez Bazaar will launch a permanent project next year to support self-help groups and help them scale their initiatives. He also noted that Bardez Bazaar’s proposed mall will bring added benefits to the local community.

The event’s cooking competition, themed “Gomantakiya God Padarth,” celebrated Goan cuisine, with Mithila Harmalkar winning first prize, followed by Antara Naik and Harsha Redkar. Consolation prizes were awarded to Ranjana Narvekar, Nafiza Shaikh, and Varsha Polle. The celebration underscored how cooperatives continue to nurture talent, support livelihoods, and strengthen community bonds across Goa.

Events in Goa

Dr. Pramod Sawant Inaugurated the Goa Section at the 56th International Film Festival of India

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Dr. Pramod Sawant inaugurated the Goa Section at the 56th International Film Festival of India, marking a significant moment for Goan cinema and its growing presence on national and international platforms. The ceremony was followed by the screening of the Konkani film Halad, directed by Sobita Kudtadkar, which opened the Goa Section this year.

Dr. Sawant expressed pride in the resilience and passion of Goan filmmakers, acknowledging their dedication to preserving the region’s storytelling heritage despite numerous challenges. He highlighted that Goan cinema has always been driven by creativity, cultural pride and a commitment to authentic narratives.

This year’s edition of IFFI features two Goan films—Claudia and The Pilot—in the prestigious Gala Premiere Section, a testament to the growing strength of the local film industry. Additionally, five films were selected for the Goa Section: Zero Bulb, Halad, My Dad Invented the Vadapav, Meraki, By the Sea and Ghar.

Dr. Sawant extended his best wishes to all the filmmakers whose works are being showcased, emphasizing that their achievements continue to inspire future generations of Goan storytellers. The inauguration reflected both celebration and hope, positioning Goan cinema to shine even more brightly on the global stage.

Events in Goa

Dr. L. Murugan Inaugurates IFFI 2025 Masterclass Series, Spotlight on AI, Sustainability & Women-led Cinema

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI 2025) opened a significant chapter today as Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. L. Murugan, inaugurated the festival’s prestigious Masterclass Series at the Kala Academy in Goa. This year marks a historic milestone with the Masterclass inauguration being held for the first time in the presence of the general public, reflecting IFFI’s vision of fostering greater accessibility, openness, and participation from film enthusiasts across all walks of life. Distinguished dignitaries including Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Shri Sanjay Jaju, Joint Secretary Dr. Ajay Naghbhushan, National Film Development Corporation Managing Director Shri Prakash Magdum, celebrated filmmaker Shri Muzaffar Ali, and noted film personality Shri Ravi Kottarakara graced the occasion, reinforcing the festival’s stature as a global platform for cinematic dialogue and innovation.

In his inaugural address, Dr. Murugan emphasized India’s expanding cultural footprint, noting that more than 200 films from around the world will be screened at this year’s festival. He highlighted that IFFI 2025 aligns with India’s journey toward Viksit Bharat, showcasing the nation’s creative evolution on the global stage. Underscoring the government’s commitment to Nari Shakti, he shared that 50 films directed by women will be showcased, reflecting the growing prominence, participation, and excellence of women filmmakers within the industry, inspired by the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

The Masterclass Series has drawn participants from multiple countries including Australia, Japan, Germany, and Canada, emphasizing its widening global reach and relevance in contemporary filmmaking. This year’s edition promises a rich spectrum of learning opportunities through panel discussions, interactive workshops, roundtable sessions, fireside chats, and interviews designed to deepen understanding of the craft. Acclaimed film personalities such as Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Anupam Kher, Muzaffar Ali, Shad Ali, Shekhar Kapur, Rajkumar Hirani, Aamir Khan, Vishal Bhardwaj, and Suhasini Maniratnam will lead various sessions, making the lineup one of the most dynamic and influential in IFFI’s history.

Setting an inspiring tone, renowned filmmaker Shri Muzaffar Ali conducted the first session of the series, offering participants a glimpse into his rich cinematic philosophy. The Masterclass program this year will explore emerging and future-forward themes, including the integration of Artificial Intelligence in filmmaking, sustainability practices within the creative industry, and technical advancements in cinematography, visual effects, and special effects. Theatre acting workshops led by seasoned experts will further enhance the festival’s holistic focus on performance arts.

By blending global expertise with India’s cultural strengths, IFFI 2025 continues to evolve as a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-looking festival that celebrates the art of cinema while nurturing the next generation of storytellers.

Events in Goa

NFDC Tableau Shines at the 56th IFFI Opening Parade in Goa

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The opening parade of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa delivered a stunning visual spectacle, featuring a vibrant mix of cultural troupes and creative entries from production houses across the country. Among these, the NFDC (National Film Development Corporation) tableau stood out as one of the most eye-catching and thoughtfully crafted highlights of the event.

This year’s NFDC tableau captured widespread admiration for its elegant design and engaging moving components. The centrepiece—a massive projector equipped with dynamic projection lights—brought an immersive visual energy to the parade. Through this striking installation, NFDC creatively portrayed the evolution and milestones of Indian cinema.

Widely regarded as an organisation that reshaped Indian filmmaking and pioneered the new wave cinema movement, NFDC used the tableau to beautifully narrate its cinematic journey. The display also integrated its aligned verticals—NMIC (National Museum of Indian Cinema) and NFAI (National Film Archive of India)—through seamless and artistic visual representation.

The content curation was led by Satyajit Mandle, DGM, NMIC, while the art direction and production design were executed by Mahendra Potadar, under the guidance of NFDC’s Managing Director Prakash Magdum.

Commanding attention for its creativity, sophistication, and storytelling depth, the NFDC tableau emerged as one of the most memorable and classy installations at the IFFI 56 parade, earning praise from visitors, filmmakers, and festival participants alike.