As ‘The Bard by the Mandovi’ prepares to enter its 15th edition, it speaks not only to the enduring relevance of Shakespeare but also the passion of Goa’s young students and teachers in celebrating literature
ADITHI SHARMA | NT KURIOCITY
Fifteen years ago, a modest gathering of just two schools came together at Parvatibai Chowgule College of Arts & Science in Margao for an experimental literary competition. Today, this festival has grown into Goa’s longest-running English literary festival for school and higher secondary students. On September 15 this year, ‘The Bard by the Mandovi – Shakespeare Festival Goa’ will mark its 15th edition, bringing together young minds once again to explore literature, creativity, and performance.
Assistant professor in the English Department Andrew Barreto, who is part of the organising team, explains that the journey has been one of steady growth and innovation. “When we started, we had only two institutes participating—Loyola High School and Vidya Vikas Academy. For high schools and HSSCs, a multi-competition event of this nature was brand new. But from the second edition onwards, we began attracting institutes from across Goa. Before the pandemic, we once had 18 schools and higher secondaries in a single year,” he recalls.
Over the last 14 editions, more than 1,600 school students have competed in its events, while over 1,400 Chowgule students have been involved in organising. Many of these college students have later gone on to become teachers and returned with their own schools to participate, creating what Barreto describes as a “full circle moment.”
At its heart, the festival aims to introduce young learners to Shakespeare’s enduring legacy and the wider world of literature. “For many Goa Board students, this is the first time they encounter English literature in this way,” Barreto says. “The festival has sparked a broader love for literature in Goan students. We have also seen several schools and HSSCs start their own internal competitions inspired by what we do.”
The festival’s impact, however, is not limited to the participants. For Chowgule’s English students, who shoulder much of the responsibility for planning and managing the festival, it is an intensive training ground. “Our students learn soft skills, people management, event management, and budgeting—skills they later use in their careers,” explains Barreto. He adds that while the learning process is sometimes hidden behind the stress of organisation, it is ultimately an enjoyable and invaluable experience for them.
What sets ‘The Bard by the Mandovi’ apart is the sense of camaraderie it fosters, even amid competition. Barreto fondly recalls how competitors often encourage one another on stage. “I have seen students cheer for their opponents, or even ask us to give another chance to someone who forgot a line. It’s heartening to see that they understand how difficult competing can be. The spirit of healthy competition is something that inspires us every year.”
The festival has also been shaped by milestone moments. The fifth and 10th anniversaries were particularly memorable, as was the year they joined global celebrations of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s legacy. Yet, it is the everyday gestures of encouragement and teamwork that organisers value most.
Though Shakespeare remains the festival’s anchor, the events have expanded in scope. “We started out with competitions centred only on Shakespeare’s works, but from the third edition onwards, we included Indian, American, and World Literature as well,” shares Barreto.
For this milestone year, however, the festival returns to its Shakespearean roots, while also weaving in elements of Goa’s own cultural landscape. A few events this time will invite participants to reflect on their immediate community, thereby linking global literature with local identity.
Classic events are being brought back, including ‘Diorama Drama,’ which returns after a six-year gap, and will once again challenge students to bring literature to life through creative models. Long-time favourites are also being reimagined. For instance, ‘Friends, Romans, Countrymen!,’ the elocution competition, will now include both prepared speeches and an extempore round.
New creative formats have also been added. ‘The Bard,’ a poetry event, will invite students to compose original poems on Goa, while the innovative ‘Frames per Shakespeare (F.P.S.)’ will require them to present their poems through short video clips. Meanwhile, ‘Shakes and Ladders’—a lively mix of Spelling Bee and a life-sized Snakes and Ladders grid—will return with its trademark surprises. To mark the milestone edition, the team is also releasing specially designed merchandise, including tote bags and badges.
But organising a festival of this scale is not without challenges. “The core organisers are our first-year students, supported by their seniors. Managing their time alongside college demands is always tricky, but we have an intrepid bunch of organisers this year,” says Barreto. Funding remains another pressing concern, with the team actively seeking sponsors to ensure the event’s
smooth execution.
Despite these obstacles, the enthusiasm of students—both participants and organisers—drives the festival forward each year. For schools, the event has become one of the most anticipated dates on the calendar. “Institutes keep us on our toes, challenging us to innovate with new concepts,” says Barreto. The public is also encouraged to attend, widening the festival’s reach beyond schools and into Goa’s larger cultural
community.
And Barreto hopes the festival will continue to grow in scale and significance. “I hope that it becomes an annual fixture for more institutes in the years to come. If the stars align, maybe it can even become a two-day festival,” he says.
