History of Film and IFFI in Goa

Goa, also referred as the 'Rome of East' is one of the most happening and modern
tourist destination in India with heritage Goan culture and tradition. Colonized by
Portuguese for 450 years, cultural heritage of Goa consists of numerous Goan
churches, temples and mosques. Moreover, Goa's exotic beaches that sprawl over wide
and soft sands as well as the sea food of Goa are much admired and liked by people
visiting Goa from different places. Goa's cultural richness and vividness is well reflected
through Goan folk dances, Goan folk culture and Goan songs. One also gets charmed
by a series of Christian monuments that reveal some of the most attractive architecture.
A lot has been inherited from Portuguese in the form of attire which is western including
skirts worn by women. Be it the western music including jazz, techno as well as western
classic or western cuisines including the amazing sea food, everything in cultural Goa
has great western influence. People here are extremely modern and have their
inclination towards contemporary advancements. It's been 40 years since the
Portuguese left Goa and since then Goa has turned itself to being one of the most
westernized and dashing places in India, which is much frequented and loved by
tourists from across the world.

As Goa fights hard to ward off assertions that it has little or no film culture, one need
only flip through a 257-page book that traces this region's links with movies to lay such
doubts to rest. Location Goa, by journalist Mario Cabral e Sa, was released during
International Film Festival of India (IFFI) last year, but is yet to be widely circulated or
noticed even here and what better time to go through it than another IFFI.

The film festival shifted here in November 2004. But after investing huge funds, the
glitches in the past years resulted in hints from New Delhi that it may be shifted out.

The efforts of the Government of Goa under the leadership of the then Chief Minister,
Manohar Parrikar brought IFFI to Goa from Trivandrum in 2004. Initially, the state had to
face a lot of cynicism due to the lack of infrastructure to cater to a festival of this
magnitude and the weak film culture that prevailed back then. But, contrast to people’s
doubts, a large number of delegates poured in and made its first edition a success.
Sooner, the development of Infrastructure like the new Patto bridge and INOX multiplex
steered a clear path for Goa to continue hosting IFFI as an annual competitive festival.

For few years, screenings used to happen at different cities along with other cultural
programs and laser shows in open spaces like Miramar Beach and Caranzalem
grounds. The Goa Music festival was once a part of IFFI too. In the due course, the
Festival’s agenda got simplified and screenings in other locations were stopped.

Regional film industries have protested against Goa being kept as the permanent
venue, and 'lack of a film culture' has frequently been cited against Goa's case. Author
Cabral e Sa has researched scripts for Goa-related feature films and documentaries. He
has authored 16 books too. Location Goa also makes a case to suggest that Goa "from
a cinematic point of view... has a charm of its own, a tradition, culture, and both man-
made and natural environment which are unmatchable".

Director Shyam Benegal writes in the book: "I visited Goa for the first time in 1967, a
few years after its liberation from Portuguese rule. It was an extraordinary experience.
Goa was both a part and apart from the rest of India." The book also throws up
delightful nuggets of information —for instance, the fact that over 90 films have been
shot with Goa as their backdrop. Actresses from Goa like Ermelinda Cardoso
(Sudhabala) have played an important role in the silent movie era, says the book.
Cabral e Sa suggests that Cardoso, who used the stage name of Sudhabala, probably
also "introduced Prithviraj Kapoor to Indian cinema". Sudhabala starred in more than 30
films and acted opposite Prithviraj Kapoor in Cinema Girl. Journalist-critic-screenwriter
Deepa Gahlot comments that "films too numerous to list have been shot in Goa" and,
besides Bollywood, these include international films like The Sea Wolves, The Bourne
Supremacy, Bride and Prejudice and Marigold.

To be sure, Goa has always been a hot destination for film fans and film producers.
Goa’s connection with films goes back a long way. Whether it is the scenery in movies
like Ek Duje Ke Liye or the forts that became iconic after Dil Chahta Hai or even the
majestic Dudhsagar falls that formed the backdrop for a vital scene in the blockbuster
Chennai Express, Goa has always been treasured by filmmakers.
The runaway hit Aashiqui 2 highlighted the gorgeous Panjim Church, Ajab Prem Ki
Gazab Kahani highlighted some more unknown locations. Hits like Singham Returns
were shot in Aldona, while Finding Fanny, which did not feature a single shot of the
beach, captured the beauty of the hinterlands of Goa.
It is not just the Indian film industry that is smitten by Goa, Hollywood too has not
escaped the charms of this smallest Indian state. The second of the Bourne series, The
Bourne Supremacy was shot in a number of locations, one of them being the
picturesque beach of Goa.
The iconic silver screen star Amitabh Bachchan, whose debut film Saat Hindustani was
shot in Goa, has also shot several other films in Goa, one of them being Bhootnath
developing a close and warm relationship with this state. One of Shah Rukh Khan’s best
performances in Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa shot the Holy Spirit Church in Margao, South
Goa. His recent hit Dear Zindagi also captures the best of Goa’s heritage and
architecture.

Some filmmakers in Goa are drawing on the popularity and legacy of the tiatr, a Konkani
art form that draws on, and is set in a Christian cultural milieu. Barretto, Shetgaonkar,
and Moghe all agree that commercial concerns dominate in such creative choices. “We
have stopped looking at films as an art-form. Films are like commodities to be bought
and sold.” Practical and pressing compulsions like financing the film, necessitate
compromises, says Moghe. Barretto, Shetgaonkar, and Moghe feel that such a creative
choice of either prominently using tiatr artists or Christian culture has emerged more for
commercial reasons rather than Goa’s culture that evolved through a history of
Portuguese colonial rule.

The once skeptical scenario of Goa’s film culture changed with a number of Konkani
films getting made every year. There are film-clubs flourishing in Goa and the weekly
releases at the multiplex are met with a lot of enthusiasm. Around 7 Konkani films have
made their way to the Panorama category of Indian cinema in IFFI till now. This has
also invited the interests of various other vernacular films and artists to come out and
participate in this category and gain a world-wide recognition.

The news of this permanent stature came as a ray of joy for the State! The signing of
such a memorandum is a major step taken by the Government towards the
development of Goa. The tourism sector, which thrives solely on the scenic natural
beauty of this beach State, has been a major source of income for the State. However,
the attractive developments in other States have posed a threat to the status of Goa as
the hottest beach destination, thereby causing a decline in tourism business! The
decision regarding the IFFI will offer a pool of opportunities to the natives of the State.
Not only will it give the tourism industry a major blow, but will also move Goa beyond
the status of a tourist destination.
The IFFI has come as a boon for Goa! The opportunities it has brought with itself are
beyond the imagination of a common man. The State will now enjoy substantial benefits
in terms of employment and income. There will be massive spin-offs in the businesses
like hotels, airlines, consumer shops and travel agencies. There will also be a relative
increase in the investment in infrastructure of the State.

Cultural impact on Goa

The arrangements for IFFI will gradually make Goa a cultural destination. Theatre will
be developed and encouraged on an international level. Besides, Goa will enjoy an
equal share in the decisions regarding the various concepts of the festival’s
arrangements. These are just some of the conspicuous effects this development will
have on the State.
The IFFI will be held from November 20 to November 30 this year in Goa.The Union
I&B Minster, Prakash Javedkar, foresees Goa transforming like other international
venues like Cannes. The Ministry and the State Government hope to benefit
substantially from this development.
Theatre in Goa
Natak, Tiatr (most popular) and Jagor are the chief forms of Goa's traditional
performance arts. Other forms are Ranmale, Dashavatari, Kalo, Goulankala, Lalit, Kala
and Rathkala Stories from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata along with more
modern social subjects are narrated with song and dance.
"Jagor", the traditional folk dance-drama, is performed by the Hindu Kunbi and Christian
Gauda community of Goa, to seek the Devine Grace for protection and prosperity of the
crop. Literal meaning of Jagor is "jagran" or wakeful nights. The strong belief is that the
night long performance awakens the deities once a year and they continue to remain
awake throughout the year guarding the village.
Perni Jagor is the ancient mask dance – drama of Goa, performed by Perni families,
using well crafted and painted wooden masks, depicting various animals, birds, super
natural power, deities, demons and social characters.
Gauda Jagor, is an impression of social life, that displays all the existing moods and
modes of human characters. It is predominantly based on three main characters,
Gharasher, Nikhandar and Parpati wearing shining dress and headgears. The
performance is accompanied by vibrant tunes of Goan folk instruments like
Nagara/Dobe, Ghumat, Madale and Kansale.
In some places, Jagor performances are held with participation of both Hindus and
Christian community, whereby, characters are played by Hindus and musical support is
provided by Christian artistes.

Tiatr (Teatro) and its artists play a major role in keeping the Konkani language & music
alive. Tiatr's are conducted solely in the Roman script of Konkani as it is primarily a
Christian community based act. They are played in scenes with music at regular
intervals, the scenes are portrayals of daily life and are known to depict social and
cultural scenarios. Tiatrs are regularly held especially on weekends mainly at Kala
Academy, Panaji, Pai Tiatrist Hall at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao and most recent shows
have also started at the new Ravindra Bhavan, Baina, Vasco. Western Musical
Instruments such as Drums, bass, Keyboards, Trumpets etc. are part of the show and
most of them are played acoustically. It is one of Goa's few art forms that is renowned
across the world with performances popular among Goans in the Middle-East, Americas
and Europe.

Konkani cinema

Konkani cinema is an Indian film industry, where films are made in the Konkani
language, which is spoken mainly in the Indian states of
Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka and to a smaller extent in Kerala. Konkani films have
been produced in Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Kerala.