BRIEF REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF GOA HERITAGE ACTION GROUP, 29/30 GREENVALLEY, KAMT COMPLEX PHASE I, ALTO PORVORIM, GOA 4th October 2001- 4th July 2002 1. The Group organized and held the first Goa Heritage Festival at the Goa Kala Academy, Goa on 26-27th November 2001. The Festival aimed at generating better awareness on Goa's priceless man-made and natural heritage was a success and was reported in several local and national newspapers and T.V. channels. Academic sessions with lectures on heritage conservation, culture, medicinal plants, cuisine and history were held at the Black Box, Goa Kala Academy, Panaji. Demonstration of architectural crafts by traditional Goan craftspeople were held in the Courtyard, Goa Kala Academy, Panaji. Exhibitions on heritage conservation case studies, folklore, folk crafts and arts were held in the Art Gallery, Goa Kala Academy. A Souvenir publication containing articles of academic and popular interest was made available at the Art Gallery, Goa Kala Academy free of cost. The Souvenir carries a directory of artisans and craftsmen of Goa and makes a fine reference for both academicians and homeowners. Authentic folk performances by two well-known Goan folk dance troupes were held at the Open Air Auditorium, Goa Kala Academy, Panaji. These performances were preceded by a short description of the social and cultural relevance of the performance, its original backdrop in the Goan village and a brief essay on the traditional musical instruments in use. 2. Three members of the Group were invited to join a Government Committee appointed to select heritage homes that had tourism potential. The members made site visits, carried out research on the homes and drafted a scheme and recommendations for the scheme for the Tourism Department, Government of Goa. 3. The Writ Petition filed in the High Court of Bombay at Panaji was admitted in February 2002. The case concerns the proposed high rise complex at the foot of Pe. Agnelo Road, Altinho and the demolition of four villas that form part of a Conservation Zone as earmarked in the Outline Development Plan, 2000. 4. At the behest of the homeowner, the Group was involved in seeking protection for a house in Chinchinim, South Goa. The case involved the imminent demolition of a sit-out dated 1783 for a public road. The Group chose to initiate a dialogue with all government officials concerned in a non-confrontational strategy. The strategy, however, did not succeed for reasons outside the Group's control. 5. In February 2002, the Group decided to initiate action to protect and preserve the commemorative pillar at Tonca, Caranzalem. The Goa School of Architecture was approached with a request to help the Group with technical drawings, etc. Prof. Jaimini Mehta, Principal of the School was most co-operative on the matter. 6. The Group has also decided to help restore the 16th century Cross located on the Mandovi river at Betim village, Bardez. To achieve this, the Group has started a fund-raising drive and offered technical assistance. The World Goa Day celebrations (a short play in English and poetry reading in Konkani) on 18th August 2002 are scheduled to be held at the Betim Cross. 7. A Festival of the Arts has been planned for January-February 2003 in the heritage precinct of Fontainhas, Panaji. A technical team has been appointed to conduct a ground survey, do a series of drawings and approach private houses that will be opened as temporary art galleries for 2 weeks during the festival of the arts. An advisory cell, chaired by Mr. Pratapsinhjirao Rane and comprising Mr. Bal Mundkur, Mr. Ralph DeSouza, Mr. Christopher Heredia, Mr. Srinivas Dempo as members and Delegate, Fundação Oriénte as observer was formed. Fundação Oriénte is examining the possibility of holding an art competition at an All-India level during the festival in collaboration with the Group. Artists and craftspeople from all over the country are expected to participate in the festival. Visitors from all over the world are expected to visit the festival. The Fontainhas Festival of the Arts has been so designed as to fit into a larger plan for the revitalization of the heritage precinct. 8. The Goa Heritage Festival has been scheduled for 25-26-27th November 2002 on the same lines as the Festival in 2001 the only difference this year being that there will be a Dress Parade on 25th November 2002. The Traditional Dress Parade will start at the Secretariat, Panaji and go through Panaji's Art Deco buildings turn at Massano d'Amorim heritage buildings and end at Panaji Municipal Gardens. The Parade will showcase traditional Goan and Indian costumes at their best. This promises to be a colourful kaleidoscope of Goa's cosmopolitan identity. Heta Pandit General Sec. Goa Heritage Action Group. [EMAIL PROTECTED] cont. on 2/2 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet =================================================================== For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
