Konknni Sonskrutik Somajik Kala Kendr of Taleigao honoured several outstanding Goans drawn from social, cultural, art and sports fields at the Black Box of the Kala Academy on January 23, 2012, to mark the memory of the late Dr Jack de Sequeira, "Father of the Opinion Poll". Cartoonist Alexyz was presented the award "Pedro Adao Award" comprising a memento and certificate, to mark the memory of the late Portuguese Consul General in Goa, Pedro Adao, who loved and encouraged Goan art and culture. The award was presented to Alexyz by the chief guest, Rev Fr Conceicao D'Silva, the parish priest of Taleigao. Fr D'Silva lauded the great role played by Dr Jack de Sequeira for preventing Goa from being merged into Maharashtra, and lamented that the "Father of the Opinion Poll" has been ignored by the government. 

Alexyz presented a caricature to young Goan violinist Sania M Cota after her music concert along with Lin Lin (on the piano) at the Kala Academy on Jaunuary 17, 2012. Alexyz, who had drawn the caricature during the event, is seen with Sania and Lin Lin in the picture.

GAMES THAT WE PLAYED: TRADITIONAL GOAN SPORTS: A book written by Maria de Lourdes Bravo da Costa Rodrigues was released at Fundacao Oriente, Panjim, Goa, on January 10, 2011. The book, which documents traditional Goan games, contains illustrations by Alexyz. It has been published by L&L. The picture shows Alexyz lauding the author for the unique book. Alexyz also made it a point that the traditional games need be rejuvenated and efforts in this direction will be made soon.

Alexyz in a chat with Goan writer Stella Mascarenhas-Keyes, author of the recently released book "Colonialism, Migration & The International Catholic Goan Community. The book was released at "Goa 1961 & Beyond" International Conference held at the Goa University from 17 to 20 December 2011.

MARIO MOVES ON BEYOND LIFE

Renowned cartoonist and illustrator Mario Miranda, who expired at his ancestral village in Loutulim, Goa, on December 11, 2011, was cremated at the Pajifond crematorium in Margao the following day. Mario and Alexyz, both cartoonists, were very good friends. Here Alexyz is seen as one of the pall bearers at the final rites.

ALEXYZ greets Basil (BBC) on his Silver Jubillee: Basilio Carvalho, popularly known as BBC Tailors is as adept at acting and writing plays as he is on styling clothes. His most recent Konkani tiatr production "Ravtolo" did quite well at the recent 37th Kala Academy Tiatr Competition in Panjim. The same show, with Alister Miranda in the stellar role, was re-staged at the St Anthony Church Compound in Siolim on November 20, 2011. The superb show was well attended by the Siolcars. On the occasion, Basilio presented a purse of Rs.25,000 to Rev Fr Britto, the parish priest, towards the church fund. Alexyz, a good friend of Basilio, gifted him a framed caricature, which brought a handsome bout of laughter amidst all. The band for the tiatr was led by Mestre Cota of Santa Cruz.

"Esmi Mai Is Stuck Again and other Goan Tales", an 136-page book of absorbing stories for children was launched at a spectacular function at the rehearsal block of the Kala Academy in Panjim, Goa, on October 22, evening. Young and old, writers and others formed the august audience for the launch function which was preceded by an interesting panel discussion by renowned writers, before it was released with the people in the audience releasing colourful balloons in the air, with the lovely Mandovi river, beyond the KA's lush green lawns, as a delightful backdrop. Of course, children were the highlight, with five of them appointed as Chief Guests. The book, published by Fred Noronha's "Goa-1556", has illustrations by Alexyz.  

 ALEXYZ AND DURGADAS PARAB WITH CHIEF GUEST WENDELL RODRICKS AT THE 3RD ANNUAL ECO-TREKS EXHIBITION AT GALLERY ATTIC IN PANJIM HELD RECENTLY.

 First Batch of Chowgule College Honours Programme

Cartoonist Alexyz spoke at the felicitation function of Margao’s Chowgule College students, who completed successfully their one-year Honours Programme.  College Trustee Umaji Chowgule, who attended the impressive function, congratulated all the successful students, from the various streams, for being the first among the students of other colleges in Goa, to undergo such an important and useful programme.  Later, Mr Chowgule inaugurated an exhibition of Alexyz’s sports cartoons at the beautiful art gallery of the college. 

An exhibition of 40 cartoons by Alexyz was another highlight at the launching of the new Quepem Sports Complex at Borimol-Quepem on June 26, 2011. The cartoons were displayed at the modern indoor sports hall of the Complex. The exhibition will last for a week.

 Exhibition of Alexyz's Sports Cartoons in Quepem

 KONKANI FILM FESTIVAL IN SIOLIM

St Anthony’s Art Production from Siolim organised their first Konkani Film Festival at the church compound in May 2011. The villagers had the opportunity to view three Konkani films – Aleesha (Rajendra Talak), Zagor (Damodar Naik) and Vizmit (Arnold D’Costa and Mahesh Rane) during the three-day festival. The Association also took the opportunity to felicitate three prominent seniormost artists from Siolim during the festival - Alexyz, Basilio Baptista Carvalho and Ubaldo Fernandes. 

Inauguration of Together for Saligao Seminary Fete :

Alexyz along side Tomazinho Cardoso, former Speaker, Agnel Fernandes, MLA of Calangute consittuency and Fr. Tony Salema, Director of Saligao seminary.

The NSS Unit of St. Francis Xavier's Higher Secondary School, Siolim organised a tree plantation drive recently. A total of 500 coconut saplings were distributed free to the students at the hands of the Sarpanch VP Marna Siolim Pratibha Shirodkar and noted Environmentalist ans Cartoonist Alexyz Fernandes. The saplings were acquired from the Zonal Agricultural Office, Duler, Mapusa.


Alexyz Fernandes enlightened the students with his lecture. Also present on the occasion was the Principal Rev Fr A PAul Sagayam and the NSS Programme Officer Sandhya Fernandes.

Alexyz's "jest" best Laughter

Alexyz unique exhibition "Laughter – The Jest Best Medicine", was inaugurated by Goa Archibishop's Secretary Fr Joaquim Loiola Pereira at Art Chamber - Galeria de Belas Artes, in Calangute, on November 29 evening, in presence of a large number of art lovers and artists.

The book is a capsule of his work as a cartoonist, caricaturist and a writer of satirical verse for two and half decades in the Goan media.

GGGG is in collaboration with the Lions Club of Arpora-Nagoa-Parra. The foreword has been written by fashion icon Wendell Rodricks. All of whom  also share Alexyz’ commitment and concern for Goa.

The book will also be launched at the 2008 International Goan Convention in Toronto on 24 July and later on by Goa Sudharop at the Indian Community Center at Silicon Valley at San Francisco, USA on 8 August where Alexyz has also been invited. Readers of this site are also welcome for the launch whichever they might find it convenient.

It was on Saturday February 23 rd, 2008  tht his excellency Dr. Luis Filipe Castro Mendes, the Ambassador of Portugal to India, along with Dr. Paulo Varela, the Delegate of Fundacao Oriente at Goa, and our own Alexyz, inaugrated a marvellousArt & Culture Festival at Fundacao Oriente, Fontamhas, Panjim which was a treat to both, the mind and the eyes of those who attended the function.

Besided the conventional speeches, Alexyz e o Amigos showcased every nuance of what art and culture is all about.It was a multifaceted exhibition with different art forms- music, constructive and guiding talks, and presentations of all things that are Goan.

Alexyz caricature of " Great Goans", were extremely worth the effort of the walk from my house to the venue. the photohraphs of Lui Godinho, Thomas Vaz, (who exhibited photographs from the Portuguese era), Alister Miranda, and joel D'Souza are memorable and must bepreserved for posterity.

The week long event is worth emulating and the reason I say-"Encore Alexyz." Speeches were delivered by Tomazinho and Irene Cardoso, Norma Alvares, MAria de Lourdes Bravo da Costa, Rodrigues Khaleel Ahmed(of Broadway Book centre), Rajan NArayan) Wendell Rodricks, Tagore Almeida and a talk/ demo by Dr.Francisco Colaco. the  music was provided by the best in the trade. The entire event which lasted for 7 days is worth emulating and the reason I say- "Encore Alexyz e os Amigos.

By Joel D’Souza
 
DONA PAULA : There was a gala celebration organized by a committee of distinguished Goans, at the Cidade de Goa hotel, on Wednesday evening to mark the 60 birth anniversary of Rajan Narayan former Editor of O Heraldo, and who now edits his own hard-hitting English Weekly Goan Observer. There was a virtual who’s who at the function organized by citizens.

On the dais with Rajan and his wife Tara Narayan, were Chief Minister Digamber Kamat, builder Anil Counto, Goa Bachao Abhiyan’s Dr. Oscar Rebello and Anil Madganvkar of the organizing committte of the celebrations.

The function was compered  by renowned medical man Dr. Francisco Colaco and was attended by politicians, builders, doctors industrialists, priests, professionals and others.

When Rajan rose to reply to the felicitation speeches by several distinguished speakers, he detailed his irrepressible journalistic career right from Bombay where he was an integral part of anti-establishment journalists of the 70’s inspired by Che Guevera and other progressive leaders.

Rajan thanked Goans and all those who aided him in his arduous endeavour to echo the problems of the common Goans whenever they encountered injustice in one form or the other , and said that he was really proud to be part of those great historic movements like the Konkani language agitation and fight for Statehood which helped save Goa’s rich cultural heritage.