Grupo Alegria:Showcasing Goan Folklore

Sunday, April 26, 2015
‘I had to build my
shoulder strong enough
for a movie to rest on’
P4
Movie Review
P3
Grupo Alegria: Showcasing Goan Folklore
I took over when some
of them moved out due to
personal reasons and I felt that
Grupo Alegria should continue
performing.
By Maria de Lourdes Bravo da Costa
Rodrigues
T
ourism brought
many new ventures
to Goa, which gave
opportunities to the
youngsters to showcase
their talents and propagate the
Goan culture to the world beyond
India. The interest in tourism as
a business resource got a fillip in
late seventies and early eighties.
Government and hoteliers were
keen on promoting Goan culture
to the clients and prospective
visitors. They went selling beyond
Goa through the folklore groups,
the cultural representatives who
performed in India and abroad.
One of the first groups, to
have had a successful run, is the
‘Grupo Alegria’ which became
the cultural ambassador of
Goa having performed besides
many states of India, in Europe,
Africa and Asia. That was the
time when organisers, including
the government, were looking
around for performers who could
do justice to the folklore and
culture of Goa. Grupo Alegria had
a beginning with the youngsters
of Fontainhas, who jammed up
for performances at the five star
hotels and various events at local,
national and international level.
In the past the starred hotels had
weekly folk art performances and
house bands to entertain their
guests. However, some of the
hotels have stopped doing this as
the motto of many of them has
been of selling the peace and quiet
of the area.
Somewhere down the line
Messias Tavares, took over the
mettle of leading the group
as many of the co-performers
decided to quit for various
personal reasons and he thought
that the seed that was sown
should continue to grow. Having
completed 40 years of eventful
performances he decided to
have a reunion of the artists,
including dancers and musicians
to celebrate this long stint.
Following are the excerpts
of an interview with Messias
Tavares:
Summer camp
Bookworm summer camp up to May 15 from
9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. A thoughtfully planned
new theme for each week with a focus on fun
and learning. Themes include food, acting out,
walk about, write stuff, imagine and create. Two
age groups between 3 to 6 yrs and 7 to 12 yrs
respectively. Limited seats available! For details
and registrations, contact 09823222665
Food art classes
Learn the art of fruit and vegetable carvings for
housewives / students etc in 8 days at Don Bosco
Oratory, Panaji. For details contact 9923924816 /
98603844714
Music classes
Learn the fundamentals of music this summer for
children above 7 years from April 27 at Caranzalem,
Panaji. Read and write basic music. Experiment your
hands at various musical instruments and discover
your forte. Pursue your dream instrument. Limited
seats. For registrations contact 7058760148.
April 26: Traya – a holistic Health Centre is
organising a talk on a unique concept of Ayurveda
– “Prakriti”–know your body type on Sunday, April
26 from 4.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. at International
Centre. Find out your body type to know about the
diet and lifestyle that suits your body the best and
more. Contact on 7875801864, 2451374/75.
Gymnastic camp for beginners
Kreeda Bharati in collaboration with Goa Gymnastic
Association is organising Gymnastic Camp for
beginners from April 26 to May 10 in Keshav
Devasthan Hall, Near Bhavani Sadan, Ponda. A
national coach from Mumbai will train the players.
After camp, regular classes will be started. For
registration contact Ashwin Patil. Contact on
08828454797, 09422970919.
Eye check up
Q. Are you happy with your
achievements in developing
and disseminating the folklore
of Goa?
Yes, I am happy because I was
able to present Goa’s rich cultural
heritage to the world. We have
not only performed in Goa and
various Indian cities but we went
abroad several times.
Q. Can you name the countries
Messias Tavares
Pic by Hemant Parab | NT BUZZ
Q. You must be very happy
of organising a cultural troupe so
that they could perform in Goa
for special events and outside Goa
to showcase Goan folklore. I was
invited to join the group along
with other youth.
that you have continuously
nurtured the Grupo Alegria
and put it on the cultural
map. Forty years is a long
stint. From our school days
I remember that you were
more into sports rather than
dancing. What made you
change from body building,
running races into dancing?
I think it is my inborn talent
and I love to dance. I used to
linger around with the youth of
Fontainhas, who were into music
and dancing for enjoyment.
The Academia de Musica was
at Fontainhas, before it moved
into the new building of the
Kala Academy. Leopoldina
Figueiredo was made in-charge
Q. But, besides the
government sponsored events
you also performed at other
different venues. How did this
happen?
A few Fontainhas youth decided
As part of “Netradeep” campaign, IMA will conduct
a free eye check up on Sunday, April 26 at Village
Panchayat Office Hall, Sancoale (Mormugao) in
presence of Dr Prasad Netravalkar (IMA Goa State
President), Dr Francisco Couto (IMA Goa State
Secretary), Dr Ashadevi Netravalkar (IMA Goa
State Treasurer), Dr Kaushik Dhume (Coordinator
for Netradeep 2015) and Dr Shradha Patil (IMA
Mormugao Branch - President). Camp registration
from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Spectacles, medication,
cataract surgery and treatment will be provided
will be held on April 26 from 9.20 a.m. to 10 a.m. St
Andrews Church, Vasco (either at the Parish
hall or room behind church); April 26 from 11
a.m. to 1 p.m. at Loyola School, Margao; April 28
from 6.30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ganapati Temple, 1st
floor, Santa Cruz. Discover this powerful natural
system of total health which requires only 15
minutes a day with an opportunity to get rid of
tiredness; stop worrying; promote inner growth
and improve overall health. The sessions are
free. Register with Venkat 9422443421 for South
Q. So your beginning in
cultural performances was
through Kala Academy?
Yes, the government of Goa
used to send cultural troupes to
perform in other states. My first
performance was at Himachal
Pradesh.
Swimming classes for kids
United Club of Utorda will conduct
swimming classes for kids from April 26
onwards from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Maiden
Meadow Complex, Utorda. Contact Agnelo
Pereira on 9822102864.
free. Sponsored by CIPLA and supported by Goa
Medical College and Mukta Opticians.
Summer Football camp
Yuva in Association with Goa Football Development
Council is organising free Summer Football Camp
for children below 14 years from April 26 to May
16 from 4.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at PDA grounds near
Hedgewar School, Mala Panaji. The objective of the
camp is to encourage youth in sports and engage
them during vacations. For registration contact
Raghuvir (9420595013), Ranjit (9049157831) or
Sarvesh (9049294828).
3-step rhythmic breathing session
Attend a beginners’ session conducted by Venkat in
English / Konkani on 3-step Rhythmic Breathing,
the correct natural breathing pattern unused from
childhood due to stress, and exercises. Sessions
Goa or Navnath Khandeparkar 9823030900 for
North Goa. Daily free practice sessions are held
at Joggers Park Stage, Altinho, Panaji from 6 a.m.
to 6.15 a.m. (Basic); Garden Stage, Behind Trinity
Esperanca Hospital, Miramar from 7.15 a.m. to 7.45
a.m. (Advanced); and at Panaji Church hall from
5.30 p.m. to 5.45 p.m. Open for all.
Health talk
Health talk on unique concept of Ayurveda –
“Prakriti” know your body type will be held on
Sunday, April 26 from 4.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. at
ICG conducted by Dr Sujal Patil, organised by Traya
Wellness – A Holistic Health Centre in association
with ICG. Entry is free and the event is open for all.
Self Defence classes
Self Defence: Learn how to avoid, deal with and
overcome all kinds of attacks. Self defence classes
conducted by Krav Maga Global at Panaji, Anjuna,
to jam up to form a group to sing
and dance the various folk dances.
In those days guests wanted to
know about Goan culture. What
best way to show them, than
performing the Goan kunbi, dekni,
mando, Portuguese corredinho,
cotti fugdi, harvest dance and
marcha de Fontainhas, which were
included in our repertoire. We
performed at various events and
entertained visiting dignitaries,
besides performing at different
five star hotels in Goa. In those
days the hotels sponsored these
entertainments by having folk
groups and in-house bands, which
have been reduced now, holding
performances only for theme
parties.
no name. Then, how Grupo
Alegria came into existence?
Oh! It just happened and was
spontaneous. We were performing
at the West End, Bangalore, a Taj
Property, and the management
wanted to announce the name of
the group. At that point of time we
decided that Alegria would be a
befitting name for the group.
Q. Why Alegria?
Because it means happiness
and we were a happy-go-lucky
group.
Q. You had mentioned earlier
Q. You said that the group had
that a group of youth had
joined to form a group to
perform folk dances. When did
you become the main organiser
of the group?
Mapusa, Porvorim. For more details contact
9820059070, 9764598068. For more information
visit www.kravmagaglobal.in.
1-day trek
Trekking Adventures of Goa (TAG) is organising 1-day
trek on April 26 at Mainapi waterfall, Netravali, South
Goa. Bus will leave from Hanuman temple Mapusa
at 7.30 a.m.; from Panaji Heera petrol pump at 8 a.m.;
from Cortalim circle at 8.30 a.m. and from Margao
bus stand at 9 a.m. sharp. For details contact Gaja
(9881185657), Manisha (9960151568), Rashmika
(9764363387), Jayesh (9158371514).
April 27: Kid’s Mindmap Workshop
Kid’s Mindmap Workshop at ICG by Cheryl Patel.
Batch 1 will be held on April 27 and April 28
10 am to 1 pm (ages 8 to 12) from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
(ages 12 to 16); Batch 2 will be held on April 29
and 30 April 2015 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (ages 8
to 12) and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (ages 12 to 16). For
registrations call 9820875900 / 8554066366.
Entrepreneurship Mentoring Workshop
I Create (I) in association with the Goa Chamber
of Commerce and Industry will be conducting
an Entrepreneurship Mentoring Workshop from
April 27 to April 28, at GCCI Hall, Verna, ideally
designed for successful entrepreneurs, bankers,
budding mentors who would like to join the I Create
mentoring team to assist aspiring entrepreneurs.
The program is conducted by Ulhas Kamat, (CEO) I
Create. For registration details contact C Noronha
on 9823845714 or mail at [email protected].
Yoga classes
Free Yoga session pertaining to Suryanamaskar will
be organised on Monday, April 27 at Synergy Yoga
Studio Margao. For timings and registration kindly
contact 9403273525, 8408813062. Swimming classes
Learn to swim this summer with Elias Patel who is
an Internationally Certified Lifeguard, Swimming
Instructor and Organiser of the Goa Swimathon.
Classes for children and adults at Bambolim
Beach Resort, Bambolim from April 27 to May
8 (weekends excluded) from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
For details contact Elias on 9822182415 or email
at [email protected]
Yoga classes
Free Yoga session will be organised on Monday,
April 27 on Suryanamaskar at Synergy Yoga Studio,
Dicarpale, Margao. For timings and registration
contact 9403273525, 8408813062. April 27: Fabric painting workshop
A workshop on fabric painting will be organised by
the Goa College of Home Science, Campal from April
27 to May 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Open to public of
all age groups. Participants will received a certificate
on completion and have to bring flat and round
brushes and fabric paints. Art fabric will be provided.
The workshop will include concepts in colour
combination, shading with 2 colours, brush stroke
effects and 3-D outlining creating floral and leaf
designs suitable for clothing, linen and decoration
for different uses. Contact Charlotte on 9404913354.
April 28: Film screening
TIMBUKTU, a French film (with English subtitles)
by Abderrahmane Sissako (2014) will be screened
on April 28 at 6 p.m. at Alliance Française Panaji.
This film received Oscar award for Best Foreign
Language film category in 2015. It also won 7 Cesar
awards, including awards for Best Film and Best
Director in 2015. Free for members of Alliance
Française Panaji. Donations accepted for nonmembers. Contact 0832-2420049.
Bakery and chocolate making
classes for kids
SKM Professional Bakers organises Kids 8+
boys and girls - junior chef Baking and Chocolate
where you have performed?
Hong Kong, Singapore,
Malaysia, Thailand, Macau, Sri
Lanka, Nepal, Yemen, Moscow,
Venezuela, to name a few.
We were sponsored by the
Indian Council of Cultural
Relations of Government of India,
under the Cultural Exchange
Programme to tour seven South
African countries, which included
Tanzania, Zambia and Uganda.
This was done to celebrate
the 56th anniversary year of
India’s independence in 2003.
Also, the Government of India
Tourism Office, under which
aegis we travelled to Hong Kong,
Singapore, Malaysia.
Additionally, the group had the
privilege in performing for the
CHOGM, Heads of the Nations
Meeting, Pope John Paul-II’s
visit, King Hussain of Jordan and
Margaret Thatcher, among others.
Q. Which was your proudest
moment?
I performed for many world
dignitaries as already mentioned,
but I would like to single out,
when we danced for the CHOGM
Head of Nations. I even have a
paper where they have signed.
I would like to mention that
the Government of Goa has
recognised my contribution and
awarded me the State Cultural
Award 2005-2006.
Q. What are your activities at
present?
I am into planning events and
organising exclusive shows of
Grupo Alegria.
making class from April 28 to April 29 from 2
p.m. to 6 p.m. Kids will learn to make pizzabase
and toppings, 3 variety of fruits and nuts cakes,
eggless red velvet muffins and creative icings. Also
different kinds of chocolate making. To register
contact 9552276084.
Kalyanotsavam
Kalyanotsavam of Lord Venkateswara and Goddess
Padmavati will be held on Tuesday, April 28 at
Balaji Temple, Motidongor, Margoa. The itinerary
includes 6.30 a.m. – Suprabhatam; 10 a.m. to 12
p.m. – Marriage function: Akshata at 12:30 p.m.;
1 p.m. – Anna Santarpanam (prior intimation and
Indian dress code is essential). Similarly, Marriage
Reception from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Ravindra
Bhavan Ministage on ground floor. Special
attraction of Nadaswaram (from Hospet) will be
in attendance at both the venues. Reception of
Marriage Anniversary of Lord Venkateswara with
Goddess Padmavati. All devotees are cordially
invited to participate in Reception of Marriage
Anniversary of Lord Venkateswara with Goddess
Padmavati on Tuesday, April 28 at Mini Stage,
Ravindra Bhavan (ground floor) from 6.30 p.m. to
8.30 p.m. organised by Veda Vednga Vihara Trust,
Balaji Temple, Motidongor, Madgaon along with
Carnatic Music Society (Goa) and Madhwa Sangha
(Goa). For details contact 9822127205
Free Dental Check up for Senior Citizens
A free dental check up for senior citizens is
organised by Dr Shweta S Caculo at Smile Avenue
Multi-Speciality Dental Clinic, Dr Pissurlekar Road,
Panaji upto April 28 from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Send in your listings with photographs, details
and event fees (if any) to The Social Desk,
Navhind Bhavan, Rua Ismael Gracias, Panaji
Goa 403001 or email: [email protected]