Maando Fest Back

 Maando Fest was organized on the 1st of December 2013 as part of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of Derebail Church. Songs from different tunes and roots are stitched together in a Maando. This is one of Konkani’s most beautiful ‘Song and Dance Form’.

In the midst of the seventh century, the Portuguese reached Goa. They tried to pass on their culture and traditions onto the Goan people and the Portuguese influence led to the formation of the Maando form of song and Dance. The birth of Konkani language started from the River Saraswati which flows from the North of India. It was on the banks of this river that our forefathers reached Goa and established their kingdom there.  The Konkani language that originated on the banks of the river Saraswati was captured in a prayer song by the Late. Cha Fra D’costa:

Nethravati, Zuari laagin Sara

Sampthe Konkananthu jivaal Bara

Mellya pithrano daya Kara

Jioanchya mithrano vegun dara

Maando, along with the Portuguese, captures the melodiousness of the Portuguese culture, their laughter together with the lively nature of the Konkani music. Every Maando begins with the Portuguese tune of 6 / 4 and ends with the Konkani tune of 6 / 8. In between, you will also find waltz, swing and other types of tunes.

The Konkani language is not only the language of the Konkani community. It includes the people of a variety of communities who have contributed to the richness of the Konkani language. This is the 3^rd time that the Maando Fest is being organized in the city of Mangalore, first in the year 1991, followed by in the year 2003 and the third time in the year 2013 in Derebail church.  It was a unique event where 250 artists from the parish presented 8 Maande under the Maando Fest. The Gurkaar of Maando Fest and Vishw Konkani Kalaratn Bab Eric Ozario congratulated all the artists and singers of the Parish and invited them to present this programme to a wider audience at the Kalangaan stage. All the details on the origin of Maando were contributed by him.

The programme started by a prayer song rendered by Ms. Denora Fernandes and her group. The President of the cultural committee Mr. Ronald Fernandes welcomed the gathering. The Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Peter D’souza, Assistant Parish Priest Rev. Fr, Edwin Monis, Vishw Konkani Kalaratn Bab Eric Ozario, the President of the Parish Pastoral Committee Mr. Ulhas D’costa, the Secretary Mr. Anil Patrao and the Convener of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations Committee and President of the Choir. Mr. Francis Concessao lit the lamp while Bab Eric Ozario rendered the Maando song. The Parish Priest in his address urged the parishioners to continue to contribute their might and strength and work as one community that will help towards the betterment of the Diocese and society at large. 

The eight Maando teams were named after the eight rivers that flowed from Goa towards Kasaragod – Saraswati, Mandovi, Zuari, Sharavathi, Gangolli, Phalguni, Nethravati and Payaswini. Bab Eric enlightened the gathered on more information on each of these rivers, their importance and described their uniqueness. Each Maando team presented their Maando and dance and the entire gathering present in the Parish Hall enjoyed the event. Each Maando team which comprised of 20 – 25 members outdid the other when presenting their performance.

The organization, planning and presentation of the programme were a true witness of the fact that Derebail Parishioners was blessed with talents galore. All Kudos to all the organizers of the Maando Fest in planning and executing such a splendid programme.