[Goanet-News] Radio Gaga (FN)
Radio Gaga FN For most in today's generation, radio is the poor cousin of television, and definitely not in the least comparable with the social media. Yet, one generation ago, the radio was the one-stop-shop from where we got almost all our information, most of our entertainment and a large part of our non-formal education. In the 1960s, not everyone in Goa had access to a radio. Most villages were yet to get access to regular electricity too, for that matter. A radio usually meant a largish Philips instrument, the size of a big shoe-box. It had to be regularly fed with fat, probably EverReady D-size batteries. Two of our neighbours, Assumptina and Natividade (Natty), were high school girls, whom Mum had an arrangement with to supervise us primary kids after school. They were drawn to the radio. It was from them that one got into the habit of eating food to the tunes of All India Radio in the background, with time flying by speedily. Of course we didn't realise it then, but those were the golden years of Konkani music for Goa, as the film 'Nachoiya Kumpasar' reminds us so eloquently. Noted musician Remo Fernandes has also written elsewhere about the discovery of the Konkani music world of those times, via the records played at Miramar beach. This charming Goan-music-made-in-Bombay, in the Cantaram category, took decades more to be adequately understood (by the German recordist Sigrid Pfeiffer and the Mumbai-based Goan writer Naresh Fernandes, among others). In a way, All India Radio shaped, created and almost dictated the musical tastes of a generation. Some would suggest that if Alfred Rose turned out far more popular that his contemporaries, that was perhaps as much due to his talent and hard work as to the way in which AIR (or Akashvani) shaped taste. Recently, at a workshop on Goa's intangible cultural heritage, it was noted that AIR Panjim has about the single best collection of Konkani music anywhere, and this needs to be both catalogued and preserved for posterity. The Goa Directorate of Art and Culture has evinced interest in working on this goal. In those times, cyberspace was some decades away and even books and magazines were quite hard to access. We lacked libraries then, which were even fewer than now, and the few that existed were overcrowded and poorly stocked. (It was only later, in the 1970s and early 1980s, that private players created a good business model of loaning out books at a price, per day. These were mostly potboilers, crime and thrillers, and borrowed by eager readers. There was Ceco and Shabbir in Mapusa; Avanti, Sun Circulating Library and Sophia's in Panjim. In Margao, the busy Confidant bookshop still runs its Laureatte Lending Library, in a world which universally voices concern over the demise of the reading habit. Children's books were hard to come by; and as Aloysius D'Souza reminded me recently, till the 1940s and 1950s, there were hardly any domestically-authored books being published in India.) In those times, radio was our window to the outside world. It decided our time-table for us. Pleasant music wafting in through the airwaves was a signal that it was time for lunch. This was a new, almost-Pavlovian response. Later on, as a hig h school and higher-secondary student, one would rush home in time for the five-minute sports news at 8 pm. In his ten-page article titled 'Goa's voice on the airwaves', Domnic Fernandes of Anjuna (earlier in Saudi Arabia) describes the changing radio scene in the Goa he knew. The author of *Domnic's Goa: A Romp Through a Bygone Era* talks of the rare HMV gramophone, and the arrival of radios and transistors. He mentions the "powerful and popular" Portuguese-run Emissora de Goa, whose broadcasts even reached East Africa and the Gulf States. Post-1961, Domnic [domvalden at hotmail.com] paints a detailed picture of the people and programmes heard on Akashwanni Ponn'je. There were programmes with names like Amcho Adhar, Bhuimchafim, Amche Akashwannir Mudrailelim Ghitam (locally recorded songs), Kholla Mollar, Your Favourites, Kandllam Onvllam,Jaymala, Shabduli, Chavdder Ghozali, Pradeshik Khobro (regional news), Monazoktim Ghitam or Magnneanchim Ghitam, Foddni Fov, plays and tiatrs and more. He writes; "Radio's charm lay in the fact that it provided entertainment to the whole family, right from the drawing-room to the bedroom and even upto the kitchen... I still consider radio as one of the best media we've encountered." * * * In a multilingual Goa, one obvious grievance was radio's inability to cope with diverse taste, and distinct languages a
[Goanet-News] Tiracol is not alone in its battle for land and livelihood... (AVF, GoaKranti)
Tiracol is not alone in its battle for land and livelihood... A. Veronica Fernandes Candolim, Goa M:+91-7507394349 You are not alone in your fight my dear brothers and sisters, I am with you and the entire Goa is with you in your fight against the Leading Hotels and golf course. And that the entire Goa is with you was noticed yesterday when about three to four thousands pure Goans from all over Goa congregated to show their solidarity with you when you organized a massive public meeting against Leading Hotels. This was the message conveyed to the Goans from Tiracol in their fight against Leading Hotels trying to usurp the entire Tiracol for their project. Through this type of a cunning procedure, the Arab Palestine was Judaised cunningly by uprooting the genuine Palestinians from their homeland. In the same manner, Tiracol first and later on the entire Goa will be uprooted from their original homes by big forces having the backing of the Goa and Central governments. The way the Zionists used all types of cruelties against Palestinians to inculcate fear in their minds, in the same manner the Leading Hotels created a fear into the minds of Tiracol residents by using bouncers to threatened the locals. If this type of dadagiri is not challenged by us then the bouncer policy will be used against other Goans as well. It is imperative for all genuine Goans to fight in support of the Tiracol people. Thanks to the Church authorities, six prominent priests actively participated in this meeting and many more priests and nuns came along with their parishioners came in buses from distant places including from Candolim. Besides, many of our Hindu brothers and sisters too came out to show their support for the people of Tiracol. It is now proved beyond doubt that this battle is between Goans from all over Goa and the Leadings Hotel. History tells that the movement handled by Goans from all over Goa have never failed and as such this movement of Tiracol will surely succeed. The momentum created by the people movement now will create good effect. Speaker after speaker spoke in support of the people of Tiracol -- who approximately number around 400 residing in about 90 dwellings. The total area of Tiracol is about 14,00,000 sq.mtrs. From this area, 12,18,589 sq.mtrs. are now in the hands of the Leading Hotels through sale deeds executed between the Leading Hotels and the Khalaps, landlords of the area. The balance area of 1,50,582 by way of Tiracol Fort is owned by the Goa government. Tiracol is situated at the far end of North Goa, touching Maharastra. It is a very scenic and beautiful place consisting of medicinal springs, plenty of productive trees and plants having curative effects for many of the sicknesses and deaseses. The Tiracol River and Fort add beauty to this place. Outside interference through the Leading Hotels and golf course will destroy Tiracol of its genuine Goan inhabitants, trees, plants and spring water. This all belongs to us Goans and as such it should remain in the hands of Goans. In this direction, it is our duty to preserve it by giving our support to the people of Tiarcol in opposing Leading Hotels. Tiracol is Goa and Goan and what hurts Tiracol also hurts entire Goa and all Goans. Let every genuine Goan show his or her solidarity with the Tiracol Rakhonn Manch (Tiracol Protection Front), an organization formed by the locals to fight for their rights. It was something to be appreciated that the people who came in large number did not even care for the rain pouring there. It looked as if they said, come what may, rain or thundering and lighting, we will never leave this place unless the meeting is started and concluded. PHOTOS - [http://kranti-goa.blogspot.in/] AAM Admi party and others showing their support to Tiracol Convener of Tiracol Rakhonn Manch addressing the meet. Attendees seen even braving the Rain during the meet. Dr. Francis Colaco, renowned cardiologist, addressing the meet One of the locals seen addressing the meet. Seen above is a section of the crowd. = Earlier report: http://bit.ly/1HlokTO Leading Hotels wins bid to set up golf course at Tiracol
[Goanet-News] OBITUARY: Miguel Mateus - who restored paintings and sculptures in Goa
Via Cláudia Pereira on Rede Indo Miguel Mateus, who restored paintings and sculptures in Goa, lost his battled to cancer, at 58, on June 12, 2015. When I met him at the Santa Monica Convent in Goa, he had spent hours daily for several weeks to give life to the eyes of a sculpture of Christ. I never thought that the fact that some find that images speak with us is due to the persistent and perfectionist work of a conservationist, like Miguel. On several days, in the evening, he took care of the hand of a saint, as you can see in the video. Yes, for several days trying to breathe life into the hands of the image of a saint. In 2002, the year he first went to Goa, I was fascinated by the Chapel on the Hill (Capela do Monte) and the colours inside, especially the reds. I learned that Miguel Mateus and his team had just restored it. Now when I remember how that red is the same as the setting sun, it evokes Miguel's dedication to the art may be contemplated for generations. One concern in the last days of Michael is that the paintings of the Viceroys gallery can continue to be studied and restored, a project that came in an article in National Geographic (2014). My appeal is to request that these images be resarched through a partnership between Portugal and India. On "the Portuguese World" we can feel the effort of Miguel Mateus, along with colleague José Pestana, other staff and various entities of the church and the preservation of heritage in the preservation of the Convent of Santa Monica. Miguel made bridges and, informally, graduated from a school of restoration and conservator-restorers. I hope that this school will continue, with support for the Christian art of Goa ready to continue for decades to come. We can see and hear the Miguel Mateus in the Convent of Santa Monica, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK5COmD2Ot0&feature=youtu.be&t=21m10s This is my tribute to the conservator-restorer Miguel Mateus. ORIGINAL POST: http://bit.ly/1cVd0Bg
