Tag: Goan heritage

International

Goencho Festakar Marius Fernandes Reconnects with UK’s First Ordained Goan Priest

Tanisha Cardozo

In a touching moment that bridges faith, history, and community, Goencho Festakar Marius Fernandes recently met with Fr John Tavares, the first Goan priest to be ordained in the United Kingdom. Their meeting took place in Leicester, where Fr Tavares now serves the local community with humility and warmth.

This wasn’t just a casual visit. It was a deeply emotional reunion tied to a very special memory — a 1995 religious pilgrimage to Marius’ village of Malar in Goa. That pilgrimage, possibly the first ever organised from Europe to Goa, was a spiritual milestone — led by Fr Tavares and orchestrated by Marius’ now 93-year-old mother, Antonette Fernandes, a pillar of community initiative and grace.

Marius was accompanied by his daughter Gemma Fernandes during this nostalgic trip. Fr Tavares graciously gave them a guided tour of his area in Leicester and served them a delicious, home-cooked meal — a reflection of the Goan hospitality that thrives no matter where Goans settle.

For Marius, known for his unwavering commitment to Goan festivals and cultural preservation, this reunion was another reminder of the lasting bonds that faith, migration, and shared roots create. It’s stories like these that reinforce the strength of the Goan diaspora and how its history continues to be written — not just in Goa, but across the globe.

EduConnect

 DPM’s Shree Mallikarjun & Shri. Chetan Manju Desai College Wins Consolation Prize at Ghumat Mahasangam 4.0

Tanisha Cardozo

The rhythms of tradition and the spirit of youth came together as DPM’s Shree Mallikarjun & Shri. Chetan Manju Desai College team proudly clinched the Consolation Prize at the All Goa Ghumat Aarti Competition – Ghumat Mahasangam 4.0.

Organized by Ghumat Mogi in collaboration with Rajdeep Builders, this prestigious event brought together some of Goa’s finest cultural performers in a celebration of one of the state’s most beloved traditional art forms — Ghumat Aarti.

The team’s performance resonated with devotion, discipline, and deep-rooted cultural pride. Competing among top talents from across Goa, they stood out for their dedication and harmonious expression, earning recognition and applause.

This achievement is a testament not only to the musical talent of the students but also to the college’s commitment to preserving and promoting Goan heritage.

🎶 Congratulations to the entire team! Your hard work and passion continue to inspire and uplift Goa’s rich cultural traditions.

Films

Goan Documentary “Bhaangar Kalakusar Karigiri” Wins Big at Miseentage Indian Film Awards 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

In a proud and historic moment for Goan cinema, the Konkani-language documentary “Bhaangar Kalakusar Karigiri” has been awarded Best Documentary at the Miseentage Indian Film Awards 2025. Directed and shot by Prachi Shirodkar, a debutant filmmaker from Porvorim, Goa, the film captures the essence of Goa’s traditional goldsmith artistry and craftsmanship.

The 10-minute short film, edited by Mario Pimenta, focuses on the nuanced legacy of local artisans including Pranay Shirodkar, Virendra Rivankar, and Rashila Shirodkar, whose dedication to preserving Goa’s intricate gold-making traditions is both poetic and inspiring. The film blends visual storytelling with authentic oral histories, all conveyed through the rhythmic flow of the Konkani language.

“Receiving this recognition at a national platform is not just a personal milestone,” said director Prachi Shirodkar, “It’s a tribute to the unsung heroes of Goan craftsmanship whose stories are finally being heard.”

The Miseentage Indian Film Awards, organized by Film Fest Maniac, aim to provide a digital stage for India’s emerging filmmakers whose unique narratives deserve national attention. This year’s edition saw an impressive range of submissions, but “Bhaangar Kalakusar Karigiri” stood out for its cultural depth, artistic cinematography, and powerful message.

The award also coincides with the 75th anniversary of Goan cinema, making this win even more symbolic. It signifies not just a personal victory for the creators, but a collective step forward for Goa’s representation in India’s diverse cinematic landscape.

With this recognition, Bhaangar Kalakusar Karigiri joins the ranks of impactful regional films that are redefining Indian documentary storytelling — one frame at a time.

Events in Goa

‘Cantaram for the Community’ Revives Goa’s Musical Heritage for Students of 17 Schools

allycaralgoa

Panaji, August 2025: Goa’s rich musical legacy resonated through classrooms-turned-concert-halls as students from 17 schools and colleges experienced ‘Cantaram for the Community,’ a cultural outreach initiative by Communicare Trust to mark its 20th anniversary. The twin events, hosted at Carmel College, Nuvem and St Xavier’s College, Mapusa, introduced a new generation to the timeless magic of Konkani cantaram.

The programme featured captivating live renditions by the musical collective Entre Nós, who performed classics like Molbailou Dou and a Claudia medley. Vinyl record collector Leaxan Freitas offered students a rare look at vintage music formats — from shellac discs to analogue gramophones — sparking awe among those who had only read about such devices in books.

Through music, stories, and interactive quizzes, the event revived the works of legendary Goan composers and singers such as C. Alvares, Frank Fernand, Chris Perry, Ophelia Cabral, and Antonette Mendes. Performances included beloved pieces like Nachom-ia Kumpasar, Sobit Amchem Goem, and Bencdaita Pai, reintroducing students to melodies that once defined Goa’s soundscape.

Dr. Glenis Mendonca of Carmel College highlighted the event’s camaraderie and engagement, noting how students even danced to the tunes. Student Sofia Haokip described the joy of seeing a gramophone and vinyl in action for the first time.

Manager at Communicare Trust, Nalini Elvino de Sousa, explained that the initiative was designed to bridge the gap between generations, showing how music technology evolved while celebrating Goa’s cultural roots. Supported by the Maria Crescencia Menezes Memorial Educational Trust, ‘Cantaram for the Community’ continues the Trust’s mission of preserving and promoting Goan culture for future generations.

Events in Goa

Goa Marks National Handloom Day with Kunbi Textile Exhibition at Assembly

Tanisha Cardozo

Porvorim, 7 August 2025: Goa celebrated the 11th National Handloom Day with a themed exhibition titled Kunbi: The Pride of Goan Textile, organised by the Goa State Rural Livelihood Mission (GSRLM) under the Department of Rural Development.

The event was held at the Goa Legislative Assembly complex in Porvorim and inaugurated by Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant. The exhibition focused on highlighting the indigenous Kunbi saree, a traditional Goan handloom that reflects the cultural identity of the region’s tribal communities.

The exhibition served as a platform to promote local weaving traditions, encourage sustainable fashion, and support women-led self-help groups working in the handloom sector.

Other dignitaries who attended the exhibition included:

  • Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, Ramesh Tawadkar
  • MLAs Daji Salkar and Ulhas Tuenkar
  • Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, who visited the exhibition and interacted with artisans

The displays included live weaving demonstrations, information panels on natural dyes, and products created by rural artisans. The Kunbi textile was highlighted as a symbol of Goa’s cultural heritage and as a viable path toward eco-friendly livelihoods in rural areas.

The celebration aligned with national efforts to revive handlooms as part of India’s self-reliant economy and reflected Goa’s growing focus on preserving its cultural assets through artisan support and heritage promotion.