Mangelim village at Goa Border

The Charming quaint village Mangelim

This village is a remote village at the Goa-Maharashtra-Karnataka border. About 75 km from Panaji northwards. We had traveled by bike and takes a good 2 hours to reach the actual village. In fact we had come to visit a waterfall ("Dabdaba" in local language) which was supposed to possess miraculous properties. That was the initial motivation.   

 We proceeded along the road which takes us to Belgaum (Not Anmod Ghat side) and there is a kaccha road (mud road) just before entering Karnataka which leads us to this village.


On the way there's an old fort in ruins. The identity of this structure could not be properly ascertained because of thick growth and bushes that have taken over the fort structure. There are lots of leeches in this area but its an excellent trekking spot for nature lovers. In fact you'll find leeches hanging all along the bushes everywhere.

 

My first feeling after stepping in this village was that it was unspoiled by human intervention and far from modern society. It gave me a feeling of being ancient. Even the trees were covered with moss. feeling after stepping in this village was that it was unspoiled by human intervention and far from modern society. It gave me a feeling of being ancient. Even the trees were covered with moss. The village was mostly green and yellow flowers were abundant. 

There are just about a dozen families or so residing in this village. Obviously, medical and sanitation facilities are far from adequate. Schooling is miles away. and farming is the only occupation. We saw paddy fields and also sugarcane fields. 

Migration to cities in search of bread and butter leads some of the daring youth to look towards the nearby cities. However within their village the only way to commute is to use your feet. 

  I thought that the wildlife here could be commendable since at one point we saw a pack of jackals. They were looking beautiful. we saw them from far in misty conditions, but make no mistake they were jackals. Unfortunately we couldn't  capture them on camera. Damn. We did interact briefly with the locals before starting out for the waterfall. From far we could see the falls and also hear the roar. This waterfall emerges only during the rainy season and dries up as summer approaches. The approach was however very very slippery possibly due to the algae and we had some disastrous falls wherein i sustained a 2-inch cut and finally we had to turn back. Even walking along the sides was not possible. I recalled that this was the same kind of situation one encounters as you approach Dudhsagar Waterfalls during the monsoons if u trek to the falls from the colem railway station.

Open Futures Films on Goan Culture

Enjoy these films on Goan Heritage and culture made by Don Bosco School Film Club Panjim:

1) Goan Bread

Every morning Goans wake up to that familiar "ponk-ponk" sound made by the "PODER" (Breadman) who delivers bread at our door-step. This film shows the journey of the bread from the bakery to our Dining table. Enjoy.

An Open Futures filmit film.

2) Ganesh Celebrations in Goa

Lord Ganesha has been a popular God of the hindus in Goa, Maharashtra and Konkan region.While Ganesh Chathurthi (thats how the festival is known) is also celebrated worldwide with great pomp and show. It begins with the arrival of the Ganesh Idol and ends with the symbolic immersion with chants like "Ganpati Bappa Moriya Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar yaa" (Marathi verse) which means "Oh Ganpati My Lord, return soon next year"

An Open Futures filmit film.

3) Dhalo-Goan folk dance

Dhalo is a dance form performed by kunbis, Bhandari, Naik, Gabit and Gaudi communities. Legend tells us that radha used to sing love songs (dhalos) to Krishna. In the beginning the dhalos referred only to the love of Krishna and Radha. Later people gradually developed the songs and they started to sing praises to other Gods too.

Dhalos are held to pray for divine intercession to extricate any evil, improve relations and have peace in the Village. Annual womens festival it is celebrated as per the Hindu calendar, during the month of Pausha and magha. It extends from Goa to the Konkan. The performance takes place at the mand, a sacred open space, where the village folk gather to sing, dance or play music as part of ritualistic performance. Usually, the ladies dress up as men where the ritual demands.

On the day the dhalos start, either on a Wednesday or a Sunday, the women decorate with rangoli the angod (open space in the house, where the tulass is installed) and also near the temple). Women from the village are present however the widows do not participate in the dhalos.the women offer talli (rice, moog and jaggery), which is then coocked and served to those present.

The leader locally known as Mandkann invokes a salutation to the divinity, the Earth Mother and seeks blessings for the whole village and for the festival rituals. The women sing about the clothes ornaments and looks of Gods. The songs are typical but sometimes there are simple and spontaneous additions. The singing continues till late in the night.

Around midnight the various dances and games start. Stories are narrated and many events are described through the songs and dances. These dances are performed on the first six nights of Dhalo.It is interesting to note that the dances and the songs are traditional and there are no props. Originally the themes of the songs sung during the Dhalo were about Krishnas romance the Ramayana and the Mahabharat. However of late Marathi and Hindi songs is included in the repertoire.

An Open Futures filmit film.

4) Scouts Camp

Scouts and Guides are important components of a students life. They are trained how to assist people in distress. How to stay fit by taking part in a variety of activities including adventure. Our movie shows what the scouts did in a two-day overnight camp mainly focussing on their adventurous activities.

An Open Futures filmit film.

5) IFFI GOA -A street view

IFFI Goa is the official Indian film festival permanently based in Goa. Although, it is a film festival, a lot of festivities are seen in and around the major venues screening the movies. In this film, we have tried to showcase some of these festivities which the common man can enjoy without any restrictions.

An Open Futures filmit film.

Golden Goa

Satorem Village

A visit to the village Satorem (pronounced Satrem) was something very soulful. The Cool climate and the abundant forests brought about some inner peace in us. My fellow partner Mr Savio and myself were mesmerised by the simplicity of the atmosphere.

This village is situated about 10 km off Valpoi city along one of the Borders of Goa. The access to this village is either through a bridge or through the stream which cannot be crossed during the monsoons.

Now (October) During Monsoons

The drying up of the water from June to October really surprised us. Also, there was a deposition of some sort on the stones making them look whitish. The stones found on the stream-bed are rounded oval and quite slippery during the monsoons.

Below, we see that the impact of the flowing water has eroded the soil.

As Regards the bridge, Surprisingly, the ends of the bridge are not connected i.e. the bridge is in the center with the ends not directly constructed. Hence, the villagers have made a makeshift

connectors made of Bamboo.
I was a bit puzzled. I met a jovial man from the village, Mr Narayan Kelkar who gave me more insights about his village. It seems they do not have an NOC for the Bridge ends to be completed. and I believe the forest department's objection is valid since a proper bridge could lead to exploitation of the forest resources and give rise to illegal activities.

Further, Mr Kelkar says that there are about 25 families in this village. Their main town is Valpoi and all the education needs of their children are met at Valpoi.
Besides, most other activities like weekly shopping etc is done at the town. Transportation is a problem here. However, Kadamba plies its buses on these routes with fixed timings. With Narayan's help I managed to get a better snap of the mini-waterfalls.

One of the beautiful pictures, I clicked of the stream.

I will come up with another Goan Village soon. Until, then send me your feedback.