Prutha Goa

In an atmosphere of nationalistic brainwashing and blind subservience to an ideology that is taking this country down the path of socio-cultural regression, the documentary Building Bridges comes as a respite from political propaganda that imbues one’s countrymen with hatred towards another nation. First-time filmmaker Rahul Chandawarkar brings us an image of Pakistan that is vibrant, hospitable and culturally exuberant. It presents a Pakistan that could have emerged as a progressive nation had it not been strapped down and shackled by the effects of Talibanisation. The decision to document this journey was made just before leaving with a hurried purchase of a Sony handycam that was made functional through trial and error. The 45 minute film is grainy and shaky almost throughout its length, but it lends authenticity to the images captured. Though filmed in 2004 it was only in 2012, after years of discussion, that Mihir Apte, a film editor and a friend of Rahul, edited the footage to c

(This article is based on a programme featuring Dilip Prabhavalkar at the Black Box, Kala Academy, Panjim) Versatility is the man’s middle name but, to the public, he goes by the name Dilip Prabhavalkar. I grew up watching his Marathi movies, television serials and dramas, and was entertained by his comedic timing and his fluid ability to fit the mould of any character he had to play. Dilip Prabhavalkar has acted in Hindi and Telugu cinema as well, thus adding to his repertoire of films beyond a single regional language. One of India’s finest actors, Prabhavalkar is renowned for his roles as Nandu in the critically acclaimed Chaukat Raja and the spirit of M K Gandhi in the Bollywood blockbuster Lage Raho Munna Bhai . By Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43366352 It was an uncharacteristic career move for someone who had established himself in the field of science. He had never planned on becoming an actor. Along with a Master of Science in B

By Richard Lees, MD of Volunteering Goa LTD and International Consultant for Prutha Goa Any observer of the media today, be it newspapers, radio, TV or online media, could be forgiven for thinking that we are living in a very terrible time for humanity. We are fed with endless stories of war, corruption, natural disasters, terrorism, suicides and more. Even our modern obsession with celebrities seems more often than not to focus on their falling from popular favour, be it sporting heroes who are found to be taking drugs or politicians, singers, actors, etc who are caught having affairs. We even enjoy our stories of bad luck – the millionaire who lost everything in a stock market collapse seems to be a popular news story too. Is it true that the world is just getting worse and worse? Surprisingly, actual data does not support this view at all. Max Roser is an economist at the Institute for New Economic Thinking at Oxford University. He makes his data available freely through the website

The gift of light has not been appreciated as much as it should be and the true nature of its wonders are withheld from the common man due to lack of awareness and understanding. To illumine minds, 2015 has been dedicated as the Year of Light in celebration of this treasure of luminosity. Taking inspiration from this endeavour, The Mustard Seed Art Company (established 1987) is all set to entertain, and as it always does, subtly educate its audience through the medium of a new play by playwright Isabel Santa Rita Vás. Whistling in the Light has been co-directed by Isabel Santa Rita Vás and Kiran Bhandari. One might recall The Story of Light Festival held earlier this year, which was an innovative and educative experience brought to Goa by Nash Paul D’Souza, Jaya Ramchandani and their team. ‘The Story of Light Festival brought it to my notice. And yes, they did a fantastic job, their initiatives were beautiful!’ says Ms Vás. She clarifies, ‘The plot has nothing to do with The Story of

A pharmacist, national level Scrabble champion, ex-football player and now a tiatr writer and director – Irineu Gonsalves has donned many hats and done it with tremendous success too. His drama, Gõy Gõykarachem, is evidence to this fact. Running houseful wherever it has been staged in Goa, the tiatr is hard hitting and unearths realities that most Goans are unwilling to confront owing to their reticent approach to issues affecting society. The crux of the drama focuses on land banks besides various problems related to Goa. ‘This is an issue that is close to my heart,’ says Mr Gonsalves, ‘and I have been writing letters to the newspapers for years. Besides I have written columns covering social issues and about football too.’ Clearly, he is a man driven to make a difference and he minces no words in condemning the usual suspects. ‘I got this idea of land bank development and that is what has made me come out with this drama because through this medium you can reach out to the people,’ h

Voices After Me by the Mustard Seed Art Company, is probably one of the most intellectually stimulating plays performed in recent times on a Goan stage. The group of performers banded together by playwright Isabel de Santa Rita Vás and under the direction of Daegal Godinho and Celsa Pinto, staged a play that provoked the audience to question and appreciate the myriad thoughts, memories and subjective perceptions that shape us as human persons and in turn affect our relationships with other people. The play was one in a series, put on in an effort to promote theatre and the appreciation of drama in Goa. This programme by the Directorate of Art and Culture (Goa) was presented by Prayog Saanj (Evening of Experiments), which has dramas staged in other languages besides English, and after the performance there is a discussion held to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the play. The play, Voices After Me , was scripted by Isabel de Santa Rita Vás and took the audience through the rem

Street plays have their origin in the effort to find a voice for the people by the people. An age old art form that existed eons before the more structured and regimented form of theatre came into existence, street plays made an effortless comeback on the performing arts scene in India, prominently during the era of the freedom struggle. This form of theatre requires the bare minimum of props and targets mostly a non-paying audience. Since electronic amplification is not a choice, voice optimisation is something every actor has to practise. With themes pertaining to the daily lives of people, street plays function as an efficacious wake-up call to the slumbering public amidst the tumult of corruption and social degradation. Konkani street play producers have carved a niche for themselves in developing this medium first and foremost for the promulgation of the language in the state of Goa. This direly needed recognition of the significance of Goa’s mother tongue has been provided by col

In Goa, Isabel de Santa Rita Vás is a name synonymous with English drama. Having written and directed numerous plays, this playwright of exceptional calibre, allowed us to partake of her vision of this art form. Her illustrious career as a college professor of English Literature has included becoming the head of the English department at Dhempe College of Arts and Science. Her position as an English Literature lecturer indubitably led to her acquaintance with other forms of literature. She was often entrusted with the duty of putting up performances to embellish regular college programmes or whenever occasion demanded it. Her passion for literature and the bond that she shared with her students enabled her to immerse herself wholly in drama and its nuances. In time, the challenge and charm of transmuting play scripts into stage performances encouraged a more adventurous endeavour. Along with a group of young people, she set out independently to stage a well-known American play in the t

  Xavier Centre of Historical Research launched an innovative venture in the world of cyberspace journalism on September 20, 2014. This endeavour, which is the brainchild of international consultant and MD of the NGO, Volunteering Goa Ltd., Mr. Richard Lees, is meant to function as an online resource that will tangibly create an environment of selflessness and generosity through inspiring stories and articles. The website, named Prutha (Goa), meaning 'daughter of the earth', will carry articles on a range of topics from the arts, the environment, culture, scientific breakthroughs to conventional social work.  The formal launch of Prutha Goa took place at Xavier Centre of Historical Research, beginning with an introduction by Fr. Savio Abreu SJ, the director of Xavier Centre of Historical Research. Fr. Savio Abreu spoke of the value of acting on new ideas that would lead to the betterment of society. He said, ‘Xavier Centre of Historical Research may be associated with history b