by Sanatkumar Phadte
Women from Madkai and Navelim celebrated the “Ostureanchem Fest” at Peaceful Society in Madkai, Ponda taluka; with great zeal, enthusiasm, excitement. Various activities for preserving ethnic Goan culture, were conducted and celebrated in the presence of eminent personalities.
Festakar and organiser Marius Fernandes, Prakash Kamat, Dr. Gwendolin De Ornelas, Kumar Kalanand Mani, Miguel Braganza, Fr. Gabriel Coutinho, Elvis Gomes, Angela Valadares, Antoinette Fernandes graced the occasion. Over 100 to 150 villagers, especially women in big numbers from Navelim village, also participated.
The fest began at 11 am with the activity titled “Festakarachi Passoi” where Kumar Kalanand Mani, caretaker and incharge at Peaceful Society in Madkai assisted all guests around the society premises explaining the nature assets, trees, water sources, medicinal plants available in the campus. The walk was followed with an interactive session with horticulturist Miguel Braganza which was coordinated by senior journalist Prakash Kamat. The youngest International Master in chess, Ethan Vaz was felicitated by Fr. Gabriel Coutinho, hosted by former bureaucrat and politician Elvis Gomes.
It was followed by “Kotteancho Nach” a dance and musical session coordinated by Angela Valadares, using musical instruments made from coconut shelves. Tiatr artist and vocalist Armando Fernandes who hails from Borim presented songs in Konkani, popularly known as “Kantara” featuring the fest.
Local artist Gerald Lopes presented Marius Fernandes with a portrait while the guests Elvis Gomes and Tanis Shirodkar expressed their insights of attending the fests curated and organised by Marius and team.
A session on coconut plucking using modern tree climbing machines were demonstrated by young agriculture graduates present at the fest, followed by lunch.
The post-lunch session included the nostalgia of 1940s, 60s and 70s revived by Antoinette Fernandes, mother of Marius Fernandes of preserving the culture and ethnic traditions in Goa during the Portuguese rule.
The 13-year old Kezia Juliao from Navelim, Salcette entertained the crowd by displaying her skills in violin while she played it skillfully on three popular songs in Konkani played at the background. The entertainment session ended with Kotteancho Nach coordinated by Angela Valadares and the fest ended with vote of thanks by Fr. Gabriel Coutinho.
