BY ARMSTRONG VAZ
Ideas and opportunities can come in different and unlikely ways. One such landed in the lap of Goan artistes based in Qatar a few months back.
The person entrusted with hosting and organising a Goa Tourism Road show was looking for a Goan troupe to perform in Doha. The agency entrusted with the job got in touch with some Goans in Qatar who have been at the forefront of cultural activities there.
The super-excited Goans got their act together, getting costumes ready and holding practice sessions. But then disappointment set in the form of the cancellation of the Goa Tourism Road Show in Qatar.
But that was not the end. If one door closed on them, another opened in the form of a performance at the Catholic Church in Qatar.
As they say, all things should have God's blessings. The Goan troupe performed for the first time in Qatar on October 6, 2023, at the Our Lady of Rosary Church fiesta in Qatar followed by a repeat performance of the corridinho on November 14, 2023, for the farewell function of the parish priest.
Since then, the Goan troupe, which was assembled as a one-time unit with the sole purpose of the Goa Tourism function, has taken wings and performed in various functions in and around Qatar showcasing Goa’s rich culture and traditions. The initial disappointment into a catalyst for the creation of a long-lasting Goan troupe in Qatar.
The artistes have thus turned out to be Goa’s cultural ambassadors in Qatar and what started as a preparation for a corridinho performance for the Goa Tourism function has since diversified and branched into various others dances.
All this has been possible because of the untiring efforts of John De Sa and Martin Mascarenhas, who worked behind the scenes, and all the others who also strived to make things happen.
The artistes have thus turned out to be Goa’s cultural ambassadors and all this has been possible because of the untiring efforts of John De Sa and Martin Mascarenhas
With positive feedback, encouragement and support coming their way, the thinktank of the dance group then started training artistes for the dekhni.
The Passage to India programme was the latest in a series of dekhni shows, which started from December 1, 2023 at the feast of St Francis Xavier followed by the Parish Family Day, both at the Our Lady of Rosary Church premises.
Going forward, John says they will be training more artistes and performing various other Goan dances like kunbi, kotti fugdi, etc. “We will have performances of various dances over the coming months and for that our dedicated artistes will be working hard and getting ready to showcase their talents,” added Martin.
“Some of the other dances which people based in Goa will have a chance to witness are dhalo, dhangar, fugdi, ghode, goff, kolo, kunbi, lotto, modni, mossel, shigmo and talgaldi,” said Martin.
We will have performances of various dances over the coming months and for that our dedicated artistes will be working hard and getting ready to showcase their talents
Martin Mascarenhas
Lakisha Gomes, Aneeta Valentine D’Souza, Renna Ferrao, Liberata Fernandes, Carol Francis Gonsalves, Maria Valley Alves, Susanna Mascarenhas, Mabel Paulette Alves, Neha Sera Alves, Edna Viegas and Valencio Gomes are the dekhni dancers.
Also, Neha Alves, Marika Mascarenhas, Adrain Gomes, Ayaan D’Souza, Adam D’Souza, Melvic Mascarenhas, Mabel Alves, Shawn Dias, Aaron Fernandes, Lakisha Gomes, Kaira Braganza, Eleora Viegas and Carol Gonsalves took the Portguese corridinho dancing to a new level
The dance organisers' hope for the younger generation's involvement showcases their dedication to ensuring the longevity of Goan culture in Qatar. This is crucial for cultural traditions to thrive.