by Nandkumar Kamat
IS mountaineering a luxury? An expedition to Everest costs millions of dollars. Cannot this money be spent elsewhere? The standard response to such questions has been that the mountains have to be climbed because they exist. Similarly, a wealthy state like Goa cannot turn its back on a proposal to be the permanent venue of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). If other states less affluent than Goa, having tragic records of social unrest and communal riots, low literacy, high poverty and huge public debts could host IFFI then why should a major tourist destination like Goa which contributes Rs 5000 crore annually to the central kitty through foreign exchange earnings reject the offer?
A self-defeating and under-confident mentality of Goans kept them under colonial rule for centuries. Frustrated by myriads of mundane problems � bad roads, poor sanitation, pollution, corruption, rising crimes � perhaps they are conditioned to think negatively and pessimistically about any new venture. But when someone proves that dreams could be turned into reality then they salute the success with typical and restrained disbelief.
Listen to the remarks of some sworn critics of IFFI after they exit from the multiplexes. They may sound confused. A former chief minister of Goa, Ms Shashikala Kakodkar would be remembered for the Kala Academy project. Kala Academy rapidly became a vehicle for boosting Goan cultural industry. More than one lakh culturally active Goans participate in its yearly programmes. The rate of social return on the public investment called Kala Academy is very high. The present Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Parrikar has vowed � what is considered impossible by Goan standards � that he would not like to leave behind any major work for his successor.
For his habitual critics this is an expensive boast. If that is so, they would have to wait till the next popular elections. As things stand today, Mr Parrikar has already launched Goa on the international stage. He would be remembered by the cultural historians of Goa as the CM who brought IFFI to the land which uniquely does not treat films separately as special visual products.
Films have been screened in Goa for the past 100 years. People who are discrediting culturally mature, creative, productive Goans expect a metropolitan style, high brow �organised film culture� in Goa. How many cities which host the 50 international film festivals really have an �organised film culture?� How many Indian journalists have been trained in film journalism? The critics of the Kala Academy project in 1970s used to point to the neighbouring Maharashtra state � Why does it not have a project like Kala Academy? they used to ask. Now there is pressure on the Maharashtra government to build a project like our Kala Academy. Maharashtrians who visit the Academy�s complex in Panaji are overwhelmed.
In the years to come and unless the proverbial, self-defeating, self-doubting, Goan �crab mentality� takes hold of our future rulers, IFFI in Goa would prove to be a grand event. It is in the interest of culturally active Goans to ensure that they bank on this global opportunity � just as they banked upon the Kala Academy�s infrastructure.
The International Centre, Goa is fully funded and owned by the state government. Thanks to the liberal budgetary support from the CM, it subsidised the hosting of free film shows for the past nine months, mostly for urban elite in its expensive air-conditioned premises in the name of a �peoples� movement for launching a film culture. Soon other film societies were also formed.
The announcement of IFFI in Goa thus proved to be a blessing in disguise to kickstart �an organised (and still urban-centred) local film culture�. Hopefully, the momentum would continue. As suggested by the chairman of Kala Academy, Mr Pratapsing Rane, it is high time for the Academy to establish a �film club� and launch some attractive courses on films.
IFFI has already spawned novel local cultural products. Konkani writer and editor of the innovative Konkani monthly, Bimb, Mr Dilip Borkar deserves full appreciation for devoting a special issue of Bimb to Indian cinema to welcome the hosting of IFFI. This indicates a pro-active and positive mindset. Mr Borkar has taken pains to take the subject of films and Indian cinema to the Konkani audience.
Similarly, the gifted veteran artist, Subodh Kerkar has joined the IFFI events to showcase some of his creative fantasies. It is said that instead of cursing the darkness, it is better to light a candle. Instead of criticizing a milestone event like IFFI, get involved and watch the films. I am amazed that some of the harshest critics of IFFI boast that they never watch films. Are they championing some kind of cultural fundamentalism? Should I oppose rock concerts because I never attend one?
Critics of IFFI do not have any idea about the amount Goans spend on films, film music and magazines. There is hardly any tourist taxi which does not carry an assortment of film music cassettes. After all, Goans have richly contributed to the Hindi film industry. That is one of the reasons why they are not interested in shifting from Mumbai�s Bollywood. Names like the Mangeshkars � Lata, Asha, Usha, Hridaynath and Dattaram Wadkar, K Vaikunth, Alvares are legendary.
As it happens after every major cultural event, hosting of IFFI would usher in a new cultural resurgence in Goa. The young generation of the globally tuned Goan film lovers would definitely rise to the occasion in future to pay back the investments on infrastructure. The government has to be transparent on all the items of expenditure on hosting of the IFFI and there is no doubt that the CM would be willing to answer any questions on this aspect in the forthcoming assembly session in January 2005.
Mr Parrikar has proved that dreams come true if vision is matched by action. At odd hours, he used to visit various project sites, unannounced, for inspections and directions. How many chief ministers in the past have observed such exhausting, rigorous schedules? If Mr Parrikar shows the same dynamism for uplifting the backward areas and in wiping every tear from every weeping eye, then he would carve out a far greater niche in the hearts of the people.
Mr Parrikar will find his hands full immediately after the conclusion of IFFI. Many serious issues are crying for his attention. He is still understandably anxious about the smooth and mishap-free organisation of IFFI. On this count, he needs the full and unconditional co-operation of all the citizens till December 10 because any unfortunate incident may permanently spoil the fair image of Goa. Forget the past and contribute to the success of IFFI. Give the guests a grand welcome. Let us hope to rectify any deficiencies before IFFI-2005.
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IFFI set to begin today
NT Staff Reporter
Panaji, Nov 28: Stage is set for the mega event, the 35th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) while final touches are being given to some minor works. The Kala Academy complex, the main venue of the IFFI, has been decorated with buntings and lights.
The entire street beginning from the entrance of panaji city to Miramar beach has been illuminated and enthusiastic Goans were seen moving on the road to take a glimpse of illumination this evening. Besides government buildings, the 18 June Road has also been illuminated thereby creating a festive mood in the city.
The government will issue a circular tonight declaring half-day holiday for the government offices, on November 29, in view of the inaugural ceremony of the International Film Festival of India - 2004 (IFFI-2004), Goa, announced the Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Parrikar while unveiling the statue of Bhagwan Mahaveer, at Bhagwan Mahaveer Garden, Campal, today.
The festival will be inaugurated tomorrow evening by the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Mr Jaipal Reddy at Kala Academy�s Dinanath Mangueshkar Kala Mandir, here in the presence of thespian, Mr Dilip Kumar and renowned Hindi film star, Mr Aamir Khan.
The Governor, Mr S C Jamir will be the chief guest, while the Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Parrikar will be the guest of honour. The secretary (information and broadcasting), government of India, Mr Navin Chavla will also attend the inaugural ceremony.
The ceremony will be followed by the world premiere of music from Mr Subash Ghai�s new film Kisna by world renowned Indian musician, Mr A R Rehman. This will be followed by the screening of celebrated Indian filmmaker, Ms Meera Nair�s film Vanity Fair
Prior to the screening, the cast of the film and crew members would be presented to the audience. The audience will also be introduced to the international jury for Asian competition headed by Mr Mani Ratnam. Scores of film personalties like Ms Manisha Koirala, Mr Kiran Shantaram, Mr Ketan Mehta, Mr Aamir Khan, Ms Madhu Chowhan, Ms Shabana Azmi, filmmakers like Mr Subash Ghai and many directors and filmmakers are participating in the festival. Besides, superstar Mr Amitabh Bachchan, evergreen star, Mr Dev Anand, will also attend the festival.
Ten-day festival would feature 7 major sections � Asian Competition, Cinema of the World, Indian and Foreign Retrospectives, Tributes and Homages, Indian Panorama and Mainstream Indian Cinema.
The Entertainment Society Goa which is the co-host of the IFFI with the directorate of film festival, government of India has completed all preparations of the IFFI and nearly 2,500 delegates have been registered till this evening.
Students from three film institutes have also shown tremendous interest and are arriving in Goa. The IFFI will be an good opportunity for Goans to see quality films, besides to interact with filmmakers, film directors during the ten-day festival. It is the first time that Konkani films will have a special screening, which itself is a great honour to Konkani.
Films from 40 countries are taking part in the festival with 15 in Asian Competition section. A photo-exhibition by the DFF entitled �Glimpses of Indian Cinema� at the newly setup art gallery at the academy�s premises, depicts scenes from the best produced films in India, regional films and portraits of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award winners. Meanwhile the filmmakers and theatre personalities in the state have expressed confidence that IFFI is a big boon to Goans and opined that it will help in creating a film culture in Goa.
(courtesy: The Navhind Times, Goa)
- Forwarded by www.gao-world.com
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