[Gulf Goans] No support for Konkani entertainers - Ethel da Costa

Tue, 26 Jul 2005 07:14:06 -0700

No support for Konkani entertainers - Ethel da Costa 
  
HEART 2 HEART - JULY 24 Herald
BY ETHEL DA COSTA

No knight in shining armour for `Aleesha'?

A national award makes headlines. The State sits up and takes notice. 
Newspapers gush with flowery reports. Enough hype and congratulations 
follow from enthusiasts and assorted montris. But fact is, Rajendra 
Talak is a disappointed man. The 'knight' in shining armour has deserted his 
`Aleesha' after political equations shifted gear. `Aleesha' has been 
left high and dry. Broken promises and ditched at the altar by her double 
standard suitor. Facing the music, literally, to foot the bills, the 
good Talak is learning the hard way that passion, in Goa, is a virtue very 
few understand. Fewer still who honour commitment (the spoken word, or the 
written word), especially now that the present government is trying to 
step in and help foot the bills incurred by the past government.

At the risk of repetition, could somebody tell us why governments 
continue to give the cold shoulder to the development of the Konkani film 
industry in Goa? Despite landmark strides made by Konkani artistes, they 
struggle hard to make a decent living, digging deep into their own pockets to 
try out new concepts in drama or production. We have enough stalwarts in 
tiatr stepping new footprints on their own steam - Prince Jacob, Roseferns to 
name a few. Their struggles compounding when no government support is 
forthcoming to help boost this industry's 100 odd year contribution to 
local entertainment and dissemination of socially relevant issues 
through drama.

Parrikar made a big show about uplifting this industry, I suspect, to 
win over a few Catholics, instead making generous donations to a Marathi 
film showcased at the IFFI, 2004, while sorely neglecting the dire need to 
inject quality and new blood through incentives and sponsorships to 
sustain the local traditional performing arts.

While silence is good for introspection, I don't accept it when 
priorities get compromised to suit political agendas and noise is needed to 
balance out the equations. Talak has been at the receiving end of this double 
speak. I'm irked that there has been near silence from bastions of 
entertainment loving Goans to address Talak's shortchange of 
commitment. A lack of support could hamper future artistic explorations in cinema 
because passion, in Goa, comes loaded with a heavy price tag.

While we have discussed how Goa should set about wooing Hollywood and 
Bollywood to our sunny beaches, has anyone asked how IFFI could serve 
the cause of the Goan tiatrist and the Konkani film industry to give local 
talent a wider platform? I should think this question would rein prime 
in the local context, since we're all excited about inviting the world to 
our doorstep, while thumbing down the local arts with a step-motherly cold 
shoulder. Having known the tiatr fraternity through my work, here's a 
community struggling to hold on to a theatre form, not only for the 
sake of talent (and they boast rich talent), but for the kinship with their 
Mother Tongue - Konkani. Perhaps, the sole factor which binds every tiartist 
to his soil, his village, despite their differences. There is great pride 
in their vocation, I say this because I have yet to meet a tiatrist who 
doesn't believe himself the ambassador of the language. So, while other 
states actively encourage regional films, Goa's award winning Konkani 
filmmakers are running pillar to post instead of celebrating their shot 
at celebrity.

My point is simple: If IFFI means serious business, then so should 
Konkani artistes who must come together and demand support from government run 
cultural bodies to help their cause. Set up an association of experts, 
procure infrastructure (cameras, trolleys) that could also be used as a 
source of revenue sub-letting to outstation shoots, plan a calendar of 
activities for the year and ask the government to commit financially to 
the local entertainment industry. It's time Goa really gets her act 
together.

PS: Given the skeletons tumbling fast from the CCP cupboards, could 
someone please take a broom and clean up the sorry garbage mess behind the 
Campal Trade Centre building? And while the CCP authorities are doing so, 
could they please tell the adjacent military hospital to take care of their 
waste and not dump it over the neighhbour's wall. What's wrong with our civic 
sensibilities?

=====
 
Goa-World.Com adds: 

Aleesha wins award 
NT Staff Reporter 
Panaji July 13, 2005 : The Konkani film, Aleesha was selected for the National Award for the Best Film in Konkani. Aleesha is the first Konkani celluloid film after a pretty long time and it was premiered at the 35th International Film Festival of India held in Panaji last year.
The film stars, Tapan Acharya and Priyanka Bidye in the lead and gives a strong message for environment protection. The producer and director of the film, Mr Rajendra Talak said he was thrilled upon hearing the news that his film has been selected for the National Award for Best Film in Konkani.
Mr Talak said it was a great honour bestowed on Konkani language and that he could produced Aleesha only because IFFI was held in Goa.
He said that the award for Aleesha has proved that Goa can produce quality films. Mr Talak said the state government should formulate a scheme for financing Konkani films in Goa.
Mr Talak also thanked the technical staff and the artistes without whose support, he said the film would not have been possible.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/message/6143
 
BEST FEATURE FILM IN KONKANI         
 
             ALEESHA
 Rajat Kamal and a cash prize of Rs.
 20,000/- to 
 PRODUCER       Rajendra Talak Creations
 Rajat Kamal and a cash prize of Rs. 20,000/- to 
DIRECTOR    
 Rajendra  Talak                  
CITATION
The Award for the Best Feature Film in Konkani of 2004 is given to Aleesha for its concern about pollution and protection 
at the same time exposing corruption.


This first of its kind Gulf-Goans e-newsletter is dedicated to Goans around the Globe. http://www.goa-world.com/ Team and founders are always the first to get you in the limelight - in the field of sports, politics, social, cultural, educational, other actitivity(ies) or to the benefit of Goans and Goa via its news services from professional journalists and supporters based in Gulf countries and worldwide. It is moderated by AlmeidaGaspar since 1994, and presented by Ulysses Menezes, owner of http://www.goa-world.com website. Any and all postings from Goans are welcomed - be it a Goan business enterprise, a Goan event/programme of cultural heritage, or of a personal nature. Thanks for the support to Goa and Goans. A movie for you to think for the day: http://www.forgivenessmovie.com/
Support the less fortunate: http://www.goa-world.com/goa/smtmem/
Upcoming Konkani Musical Show in Kuwait:
Comedian Philip's "TUM VHOIR AUM SOKOL" on 16th Sept. 2005.
Book early to avoid disappointment.

Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail - Find what you need with new enhanced search. Learn more.

http://www.goa-world.com
http://www.live365.com/stations/61664 Live Konkani Music
http://www.mahableshwar.com/


Addresses:
Post message: [email protected]
Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
List owner: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
URL to this page:
http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/gulf-goans




YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS



Reply via email to