The Sound of Goa’s Konkani Christian Music By Melvyn Misquita mel...@misquita.net Most Goans will recognise the much-loved Konkani hymn book ‘Gaionancho Jhelo’, which has been their faithful companion at Mass and at home for nearly 60 years.
But did you know... * There were no Goan Konkani carols before 1963 * The first Goan Konkani carol was written on the steps of a church * A humiliating experience inspired a Jesuit priest to compose the lyrics of over 300 Konkani hymns * An acclaimed Hindu poet has penned the lyrics of a popular hymn * There is a mammoth 18-verse hymn on St Francis Xavier * The popular Goan Konkani hymn book Gaionancho Jhelo is nearly 60 years old * The Gaionancho Jhelo contains over 550 hymns, over 2,000 melodies * The youngest composer of a liturgical melody has been a 12-year-old boy MELVYN MISQUITA pieces together for the first time a comprehensive and fascinating story of the popular Konkani hymn book, ‘Gaionancho Jhelo’, used by millions of Goan Catholics during liturgical and para-liturgical services and celebrations in Goa and across the world for nearly six decades. Read the full story of the ‘Gaionancho Jhelo’ here: https://melvynmisquita.blogspot.com/2022/01/the-sound-of-goas-konkani-christian.html * * * Written by ORLANDO VAZ +91 98812 83278 First of all, an apology for using the Bardezi/Padribhas or Antruzi dialects. Please do understand. Actually, the value of Fr Vasco do Rego's work in translating religious texts into Konkani cannot be overstated. His contribution is priceless. The job of translation of the Bible and religious texts is the task of the Diocesan Commission for Liturgy, or the DCL. Perhaps in those times, the Church leaders requested Fr Rego to undertake this job, and he took it forward to completion. But one thing is true: the work of translating the Bible in Goa is the work of many persons: if you check Page 2274 of the 'acknowledgments' you'll find the list of those who have contributed to the task. There's the crucial work of another priest in translating this work: the then Vicar General Fr Caetano da Cruz Fernandes. I'm not quite sure what post he held in the DCL. But when I went to visit him in the year 2000, this priest and Fr Rego were busy with the translation of the Bible. When I asked, Fr Fernandes told me thus: "The translation has been already done. Now, what's left is recheck the language used, and ensure that confirms with the meaning of the text." The work done by Fr Fernandes seems to be going totally unacknowledged. May he get his due recognition, that's my plea. -- Poilim mafi magtam hanv bardexi/padribhas vo antruzi vaprun boroitam mhonn. Somzotoleat mhonn magtam. Khorem mhollear Pri. Rego-n dhormik pustokam Konknnint bhaxantor korunk hatant ghetlolo vaur vakhannit titlo unno. Tachem yogdan mola vortem. Povitr Pustok ani Sevadhormant vapurchim her pustokam Konknnint bhaxantor (translation) korpachem kam' Dhorm-prantik Sevadhormik Somitechem (Diocesan Commission for Liturgy -- DCL). Ghoddiek tea kallaveleam Igorjecheam vhoddilamnim Pri. Rego lagim maglem ani Pri. Rego-n ho bharadik vaur khoxe-monan mandun ghetlo ani xevottak pavoilo. Ek mat khorem: Povitr Pustok bhaxantor korcho vaur zaiteam zonnancho-- (polle P. Pustokachem 2274-vem pan 'DHIN'VASNNI' zhoim bhaxantor kortoleanchim nanvam dileant. Hem P Pustok toyar korchea vaurant anink eka padricho moladik vaur asa, ten'nachea Dhorm-prantachea Vigar Geral, Pri. Caetano da Cruz Fernandes-acho. DCL hantunt tannem koslem pod (position) samball'lem tachi khobor mhaka sarkhich nam, punn taka hanv 2000 vorsa mellunk gel'lom ten'nam ho padri ani Pri Rego P Pustokachea vaurant bharim guntlole asle. Hanvem vicharlem ten'nam Pri. Fernandes-an oxem mhollem: "Bhaxantor korcho vaur zalo, atam fokot bhas vapurlea ti ani P Pustokak lagu zata to orth(meaning) eksarkho (agrees) asa zalear polleunk zai. Pri. Fernandes-an kel'lo vaur ken'nanch ani konnench vakhannunk nam. Favo to man ani obhiman taka-i mellcho -- ho mhozo ul'las ᐧ *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- 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/ *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
