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By Tomazinho Cardozo [EMAIL PROTECTED] In November 2004, Goans witnessed one of their region's greatest cultural bonanza, the International Film Festival of India in Panjim. I call it a cultural bonanza because it involved the screening of films in four to five theatres and showcasing of Goa's culture right from the Dempo House to Miramar beach. If about 1500 delegates witnessed the films, over 25000 people enjoyed the cultural programs presented on the Mandovi riverfront every day. On specific days, the audience crossed 50,000. Throughout the nine days programs, thousands of Goan artistes performed and a few hundred thousands of Goans enjoyed. However, dissenting voices are being heard about its continuance in Goa this year. Whether IFFI should or should not be once again organized is a very serious matter. Although it is 55 years now since the first Konkani Film 'Mogacho Anvddo' was produced by AL Jerry Braganza, Konkani cinema has not seen bright days till date -- with few exceptions such as films like 'Amchem Noxib' and 'Nirmonn'. There are various reasons for this state of Konkani Cinema. Goa has communal harmony but no cultural harmony. It is evident from the fact that a Konkani 'Nattok' is overwhelmingly witnessed by Hindus while a Konkani 'Tiatr' is patronized by Christians. Commercially, the 'Tiatr' is very successful as each 'Tiatr' completes hundreds of shows, and that too with priced tickets for entry. The same does not take place in case of 'Nattoks'. The audience of Konkani cinema is also the same. It is due to this reason that Konkani cinema has adversely suffered in the past, and continues to suffer even today. Recent examples being Konkani films like 'Aleesha' and 'Sood'. However, if you take for example a Hindi Cinema, both of Goa's major communities enjoy it without any hesitation. That would suggest that an experiment of the type of a Hindi cinema in Konkani is needed, in order to make Konkani Cinema commercially viable. It is time to gear our efforts in that direction. In view of this, the continuation of the IFFI in Goa acquires more importance. By organizing the IFFI one thing is sure: Goa will not lose anything, on the contrary, it will gain something. As an artiste from the cultural field, I am of the strong opinion that the IFFI should continue to be organized in Goa. The question whether the festival should continue here or not; that should have been asked before the infrastructure was created. Crores of rupees have already been spent on the development of infrastructure of an international standard. Now it is time to get the benefit out of that expenditure. In what way will it harm Goa if IFFI is continued to be organized here? And what benefit would Goa get if IFFI is not organized here this year? I think we should not look at IFFI through the prism of politics. Instead, today, we should concentrate on finding ways and means to organize it in a better way. Last year, the IFFI was organized in Goa for the first time. There must have been many mistakes committed by the organizers, as it was their maiden venture. Even I brought to the notice of the then chief minister, Manohar Parrikar, certain glaring blunders in the planning of the presentation of Goa's culture during IFFI. The chief minister rectified the mistakes immediately. However such mistakes should not be intentional, because the communal harmony prevailing in Goa should be protected, preserved and promoted under any circumstances. And this can be achieved by giving due representation to cultural aspects of all communities of people. Organization of an event like IFFI, I feel, does not require staging of cultural programs as it was done last year, although it attracts the involvement of more people. However, the screening of films in various parts of Goa, like last year, may be continued. Emphasis should be laid on obtaining copies of old Konkani films and screening them during the festival in a special slot. This is not done anywhere in the world where international film festivals are organized but let it be the uniqueness of IFFI in Goa. Continuation of IFFI in Goa, besides numerous other benefits, will definitely help in strengthening the film culture in Goa. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tomazinho Cardozo, besides being a politician (and former Speaker of the Goa assembly), has long been associated with the field of Konkani culture. He is known for the plays he has staged, and a vast number of other popular cultural products he has catalysed over the last three decades. GOANET READER WELCOMES your articles -- essays, reviews, features and think-pieces. Being a volunteer-driven network, we can only afford to compensate our writers by way of reader-response. If you appreciate any article circulated, please share your comments with Goanet goanet@goanet.org and the writer. Our writers write -- or share what they have written -- pro bono, and deserve hearing back from those who appreciate their work. Goanet Reader too welcomes your feedback at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Goanet Reader is edited by Frederick Noronha <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>