GoaMusiPedia to record Goan musicians, singers Goan musicians and singers have enthralled audiences for decades but they usually end up largely forgotten over the years when they are no longer active on stage.
A unique encyclopaedia, known as the ‘GoaMusiPedia: The Goa Encyclopedia of Musicians and Singers (GEMS)’, is now being worked on to record data of Goan musicians and singers, both living and deceased, in order to recognise and remember them for posterity. “We have noticed that musicians have been icons while on stage, but sadly fade away and are forgotten, once they are out of the limelight. Or no more,” says Melvyn Misquita, who has initiated the GoaMusiPedia-GEMS project. “Only a very few Goan musicians like Chris Perry and Anthony Gonsalves are still being remembered today. Most other musicians have remained unsung and forgotten over the years.” “For instance, how many youth of today would have heard of five musicians, Joe, Francis, Paul, Diago and Constancio, who chose to name their group with a word which resembled the mafia, but in the Indian context, also resembled a bank! In the 1980s and 1990s, the ‘Syndicate’ was one of the most prominent Goan bands, playing at major shows and popularising audio technology and novel stage gear like fog machines, light effects, etc.” “Similarly, try telling a youngster that a priest once performed in a band at shows. Fr Archie Fernandes may be no more, but can we not have some details of him and other Goan musicians, which can be recorded and remembered here on earth when, perhaps, we too are no more to tell these stories?” “And what about a hugely talented musician like late Terry Vaz? He was such a popular musician during his time. Will he be remembered by the youth of today?” Goan musicians and singers are being encouraged to submit their entries to the GoaMusiPedia-GEMS project in a specified format and details being collected include the artiste’s training and influence in music, whether the artiste is a singer or musician and if musician, the type of instruments played. Other details being recorded includes the number of years that the artiste has been active in music, whether the artiste perform covers, arrangements or original music, the genre of music such as western, Indian, choir, jazz, classical, etc., and if the artiste performs solo, duet, trio or is a member of a band. Artistes are also invited to specify their achievements in music like awards, scholarships, felicitations, etc., and if the artiste has been featured in the audio/visual or print media in music. Other relevant data includes the contact details, website or YouTube links of the artiste. The GoaMusiPedia-GEMS project is being planned to be updated annually and will be published either as a ebook or a physical book. Misquita has sought the advice and support of a core team of well-known musicians, Kevin Mendes, Ravi Coutinho, Irene Rocha and Omar Loiola Pereira. “This is purely a voluntary initiative and Goan musicians and singers are encouraged to take part in this project. The success of this encyclopaedia lies in the support and collaboration of musicians and we would appeal to Goan musicians and singers to give this project a chance.” It is are encouraging inclusion of details on the departed Goan musicians. They need to documented too. Goan musicians and singers who wish to submit their details to the GoaMusiPedia-GEMS project are requested to send a WhatsApp message to +91-9860597117. END *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Join a discussion on Goa-related issues by posting your comments on this or other issues via email to goa...@goanet.org See archives at http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/ *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-