Media Room

A little bit of Goa in Mumbai
A little bit of Goa in Mumbai
03-Oct-2024 | Source: navhindtimes.in

Some of Goa’s best artistes will head to the metropolitan city for the Festa de Goa this Saturday. The event will highlight the deep cultural exchange between Goa and Mumbai, offering a vibrant journey into the heart of Goan culture

Beyond the postcard-perfect beaches of Goa lies a rich legacy of art, literature, and music that resonates deeply within Goan identity. To celebrate this cultural heritage, the Royal Opera House, Mumbai, and Avid Learning, in association with Stuti Choral & String Ensemble and Furtados, are set to present ‘Festa de Goa’ on October 5 at the Royal Opera House in Mumbai.

“The idea for ‘Festa de Goa’ came to me after speaking at the Goa Heritage Festival in 2022. While presenting the impact of the Royal Opera House on Mumbai’s cultural fabric, Goa’s rich heritage and creative practices struck me, and the idea to bring a celebration of this cultural legacy to Mumbai was born,” says CEO of Avid Learning and curator of the Royal Opera House, Mumbai, Asad Lalljee.

And after two years of planning, Lalljee is excited to finally sharing the festival with the audience at the Royal Opera House.

While curating the festival, Lalljee emphasised showcasing the multi-faceted nature of Goan culture. “We carefully selected speakers and performers who could provide deep insights into Goa’s cultural heritage and its evolving identity. The aim was to create a comprehensive experience that would educate, entertain, and inspire our Mumbai audience,” he adds, expressing gratitude to co-founder and co-curator of the Goa Arts & Literature Festival, Vivek Menezes, for his guidance in assembling the line-up.

Although events celebrating Goan culture are common in Mumbai, Lalljee believes there was a need for a more holistic cultural festival. “‘Festa de Goa’ is unique in its scope, bringing together diverse elements like Konkani literature, fado music, and discussions on Goan influence in Mumbai’s history. Our focus is on celebrating and highlighting the deep cultural exchanges and intertwined histories of Goa and Mumbai, as well as the enduring connections between these two dynamic coastal regions across generations,” he says.

The festival will kick off with a series of thought-provoking discussions featuring renowned authors, historians, and cultural catalysts, including Jnanpith awardee Damodar Mauzo, writer and translator Jerry Pinto, and more. They will explore topics ranging from Konkani literature to Goa’s contributions to the global music scene.

“Our visual arts session, ‘The Boy from Crawford Market: A Centenary Tribute to F.N. Souza’, promises to be one of the festival’s highlights. This talk, featuring Vivek, Dadiba Pundole, and Reema Desai Gehi, will celebrate 100 years of F.N. Souza’s amazing artistic journey,” says Lalljee.

Attendees can also look forward to a performance by the Stuti – Choral & String Ensemble conducted by Parvesh Java and a fado music recital by Sonia Shirsat, accompanied by Franz Schubert Cotta (Portuguese guitar) and Carlos Meneses (viola de fado).

Meanwhile, the outdoor lawn will come alive with Goan live music by Allan Vaz, the creator of the World Konkani Music Awards.

Food stalls will have The Coconut Boy, Aiyo Patrao, Poie and Paav, Tinto Feni, and Bombay Duck Brewing Company. The bazaar will also showcase Goa-based brands like Siesta O’Clock and Bandit, while the Crossword Bookstore will present a curated collection of Goan literature.

Sharing his thoughts on the festival honourary director of the Royal Opera House, Mumbai, Ashish Doshi says, “The Royal Family of Gondal’s support for the arts has been paramount in presenting such multi-dimensional cultural narratives. Our hope with ‘Festa de Goa’ is to create a platform that strengthens the cultural ties between Goa and Mumbai.”

He adds that the festival aligns perfectly with the Royal Opera House’s mission to be a premier venue for celebrating the country’s diverse artistic expressions, extending beyond just a performing arts space.

“The enthusiastic response to the festival has been encouraging. We are proud to support initiatives that spotlight regional cultures and look forward to hosting more festivals in the future.”

* It always feels nice to perform for the Goan community, especially outside Goa. Also, it’s always a good thing for Goa when festivals like these are held outside the state. It provides a realistic picture of our culture, literature, and lifestyle, rather than just what people read about or the touristy coverage on social media. I hope there are more such festivals in different parts of the world so that the real Goa is portrayed.” – Sonia Shirsat

* The book ‘The Memory Keepers and Future Seekers: Portraits of Heritage Homes in Goa’, by photographer Ulka Chauhan with text by me, offers a visual and literary portrait of Goa homes built during the Portuguese period. These homes are over 100 years old and are still inhabited, yet the walls have witnessed so much. The homeowners possess artefacts from around the world, reflecting a rich multicultural history, and the book provides a glimpse into that. Many of the photos showcase the residents going about their daily lives. It is important for both Ulka and me to highlight this aspect of Goa, as the state is often portrayed as a bohemian paradise with a focus solely on its beaches, parties, and, more recently, real estate. However, many people overlook Goa’s architecture and history. We are happy to be part of showcasing Goa’s grand homes in a grand way at the Royal Opera House in Mumbai. Following the book launch at the festival in Mumbai, we are also planning a launch in Goa in December.”  – Samira Sheth