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Fairs & Festivals :: Other Festivals in Goa

Fontainhas Festival of Arts

The Fontainhas Festival of the Arts is a unique festival that has no parallel anywhere else in India. This festival turns private houses into art galleries for eight days every year.

The heritage houses of the precinct showcase artists from all over Goa and the rest of the country in a festival of arts. Art works are displayed in heritage homes in balcaos, verandahs, salas and dining rooms. Part of the proceeds go towards the preservation of Goa's priceless heritage homes for up-gradation and upkeep.

The Corporation of the City of Panaji usually participates as a Festival Partner and upgrades streets, infrastructure, storm drains, etc. At the last festival, the Corporation had lime washed heritage home facades in traditional colours adding to the Corporation's campaign of "Together for Panjim".

Artists from all over India and abroad are invited to participate in the festival. Art froms range from paintings, sculpture, installation to pottery and are price structured to suit all budgets.

In addition to the art works, musicians and dancers enliven the atmosphere at the Festival with their contributions and live performances entertain visitors in the evenings. Thousands of visitors attend the Fontainhas Festival of the Arts from India and abroad.

Food is also served at the food stalls set up in the streets. There are also beer "gardens" in streets and heritage home courtyards.

The first Fontainhas Festival of the Arts held in January-February 2003 was a huge success. It brought in visitors from all over Goa and abroad. It brought art lovers from across the world and perhaps for the first time, gave everyone a chance to interact with heritage homeowners in Goa.

In 2004, the festival will showcase the work of 45 artists in over 35 private homes. There will also be art and music on the street. As a surprise feature, five great art personalities of India will deliver a slide illustrated talk at the venue over five out of the eight days. Jehangir Sabavala, Prafulla Dahanukar, Akbar Padamsee, Rekha Rodwittye and Dr. Saryu Doshi have consented to participate in this Retrospective.

These great Indian personalities from the art world will speak on their own work and will then answer any questions from the audience. In addition, there will be two art workshops. There will be a workshop designed for children to appreciate art. There will also be a workshop titled FROM DOT TO LINE by renowned art promoter Geeta Kapadia. This workshop will be open to participants of all ages.

The Fontainhas Festival of the Arts is a unique concept that brings art, heritage and music together. Visitors to the festival get a chance not just to appreciate works of art in unique settings but also a chance to visit heritage homes and interact with Goan families in their own environment. There is interaction between artists, homeowners and visitors at unprecedented levels. And all this interaction takes place against a backdrop of the beautiful, charming homes of the citizens of Panjim, Goa.

Art Festival 2005
Forty charming houses of Mala and Fontainhas in the capital city of Panaji will form the precinct for the unique eight day art, heritge and music bonanza — the Fontainhas Festival of the Arts from 10 January to 17 January 2005.

While the first festival last year was held entirely in Fonatainhas, the organisers have shifted the venue to include areas of Mala this time. Private houses will turn into art galleries featuring the work of 45 artists. Visitors can appreciate the works of art and the architectural beauty of the heritage homes and interact with Goan families in their own environment as well as artists.

Five great art personalities - Jehangir Sabhavala, Prafulla Dahanukar, Dr. Sary Dooshi, Rekha Rodwittye and Reena Saini Kallat - will deliver a slide-illustrated talk on their work, according to the Goa Heritage Action Group, the organisers. Art works will be displayed in balcaos, verandhas, salas and dinning rooms of the heritage houses. Thirty percent of the proceeds will be shared by GHAG and homeowners to restore Goa's priceless heritage.

Artworks will range from paintings, sculpture, installation to pottery at prices to suit all budgets. Musicians and other performing artists, dancers will keep local visitors and from abroad entertained through live performances at various streets and squares. Food will be served in courtyards and balcaos and through temporary street restaurants.

A workshop for children to inculcate awareness of their heritage and appreciate art and a workshop titled From Dot to Line by renowned art promoter Geeta Kapadia will be held.

The Goa Heritage Action Group, organizes this art festival with a difference between 10th-17th January 2005 in the heritage precinct of Fontainhas-Mala, Panaji, Goa.