Goais melting pot of many cultures and traditions, including the influence of Latin lifestyle on the region by way of 450-year old Portuguese regime. However, the Goan ethos rooted in the soil of the region is so prosperous, that one should not neglect it at any cost.
‘Gomant Darshan’, a kaleidoscopic look into the original Goan culture and tradition will be presented by the Kala Academy, at its complex on the Republic Day at 6.30 p.m onwards.
‘Gomant Darshan’ is a composite programme in musical ballet form, depicting the rich cultural heritage of Goa. The Kala Academy has taken up this grand production of music and dance under the guidance of great stalwarts in the respective fields. It depicts the distinct traditions imbibed by the local people from various historical events and also explains how the people of Goa culturally enriched themselves.
The member secretary of Kala Academy, Dr Pandurang Phaldesai told BUZZ NT that ‘Gomant Darshan’ is a kind of trailer of different folk forms of music, dance and theatre, linked to the history and lifestyle of the people. “The production also highlights important feast and festivals, which are considered the face of local folk-culture,” he added, pointing out that the first part of the musical ballet presents the historical outline beginning from the mythological concept of the creation of Gomanta Desh (Goa) by Lord Parshurama and taking the audiences right up to the Liberation of the region from the colonial rule. “The second part of ‘Gomant Darshan’ showcases the folk life and its rich cultural patterns, including various feasts, festivals, rituals, dances and other cultural expressions nurtured uninterruptedly by the people,” Dr Phaldesai maintained.
Goa’s recorded past, spanning over 2,000 years was shaped by various dynasties and rulers like the Bhojas, Shilaharas, Rashtrakutas, Kadambas, Vijayanagar rulers, Adilshahi and finally, the Portuguese, all of whom left their multiples shades on the Goan life. ‘Gomant Darshan’ takes stock of all these periods. The duration of the spectacular show is around two hours and fifteen minutes, and this revived stage production is directed by Afsar Hussain, the chief of the Repertory Company of Kala Academy. Altogether 70 artists and technicians are involved in this mega production.
Speaking further, Dr Phaldesai said that ‘Gomant Darshan’ was originally produced by Kala Academy nearly two decades ago. “The celebrated poet, late Vasant Bapat who had already written a musical ballet called ‘Maharashtra Darshan’, wrote the script of ‘Gomant Darshan’ on the same lines, while the legendary Goan vocalist, Pt Jitendra Abhisheki composed music for the same,” he informed, revealing that Raghuvir Talashilkar erected sets, Acharya Parvatikumar choreographed the production, while Ramesh Purav directed the musical ballet.
“We did revive ‘Gomant Darshan’ several times including in the year 2003 and now in 2011,” the member secretary of Kala Academy said, adding that in 2003-04, the musical ballet toured places like Delhi, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Daman, Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, receiving lot of appreciation and positive response. “We have neither changed the script nor the music,” he said, adding that the artists have however, changed with the inclusion of performers from the drama school of Kala Academy, folk artists from Goa and local actors.
It was also informed that the 2011 revival witnessed the first show of ‘Gomant Darshan’ presented on the eve of the Golden Jubilee Liberation Day of Goa. The production would also be performing at Ravindra Bhavan, Curchorem, on January 27, from 7 p. m onwards.
On a parting note, Dr Phaldesai said that the show is open to all, and the Kala Academy had written to the managements of around a dozen colleges in and around Panaji, requesting them to send their students to watch this musical ballet. “Sadly, we go no response from them,” he concluded.
