Humourist Cecil Pinto interviews a totally fictional character. ----------------------
Having started his career at the early age of twelve, top Konkani Tiatr producer, Coubertin Rodrigues alias Jacint de Benaulim, has regaled audiences all over Goa, Mumbai, and the Middle East with his controversial dramas. A vital ingredient of every drama has been his kantars which reveal a thinly disguised social satire of our times. Jacint de Benaulim is back in the news this time with his in-production audio cassette Goan Picnic Songs - Uncensored.
Cecil: Why did you choose the name Jacint de Benaulim as your stage name?
Jacint de Benaulim: My maternal great grandfather was from Benaulim and I have always been a great fan of the late Jacinto Vaz who provided me with a lot of inspiration and encouragement during my formative period.
Cecil: What inspired this audio cassette on Goan Picnic Songs?
Jacint de Benaulim: I noticed that there were a lot of 'Goan Party Songs' cassettes being released. I also observed that at most Goan picnics on the return journey home everyone is exhausted and does not have the energy to sing Picnic Songs. Therefore this cassette. Just pop it into the stereo and everyone's mood will pep up.
Cecil: What is the difference between Picnic Songs & Party Songs?
Jacint de Benaulim: A world of difference. See at parties mostly mandos and popular Konkani songs are sung. At picnics the singing is bit more risque and adult words and innuendos are common. That is why my cassette has the tag Uncensored.
Cecil: Did you have any trouble with the Censor Board?
Jacint de Benaulim: Surprisingly no. There is no censorship of audio tapes. I forsee a problem though with the printed lyrics that will accompany the tape. These lyrics could be construed as obscene.
Cecil: From the briefing you have given me they are indeed obscene lyrics?
Jacint de Benaulim: Actually they are. But that's what picnic songs are about. A temporary social license to indulge in some harmless dirty talk as it were. I intend putting a sticker on the Cassette "For Adults Only" and a legal disclaimer inside so that I will not be sued by the Bailancho Saad if the cassettes and lyrics fall into the hands of children. Emminent Hindi film producer Mahesh Bhatt is helping me in these legal matters.
Cecil: Was it difficult doing research for these Picnic Songs?
Jacint de Benaulim: Not at all! I just got together a few of my friends. We hired a mini-bus to Arambol, drank some good urrack before departing, and the lyrics and tunes just flowed. I asked my beautiful and talented secretary Succorine to come along, and that was it.
Cecil: Succorine was taken along to provide the feminine lyrics?
Jacint de Benaulim: No! No! Succorine was taken along to take down the lyrics we sang in her excellent shorthand. And also she provided the welcome relief at Arambol of 'teaching the girl to swim' which is a sort of standard procedure at Goan picnics. Succurine is quite game for such exciting but harmless activities. She has been my trusted secretary and confidante for many years now.
Cecil: Is there a vast difference in the Picnic Songs sung in North and South Goa?
Jacint de Benaulim: Very little! For example in Fu Gadi Fu - the words 'Ponjechea pular bosun aslem soku' becomes 'Agshemchea pular bosun aslem soku' when sung in South Goa. But the standard ones like Possorkanni-Possorkanni, Tabdem Rosa, O Xezanni, etc show little or no variation. Of course the English songs like In the Morning by the Sea, Inkie Pinkie Parlez Vous, Pistol Packing Mama etc. are open to social and political experimentation and comment, but I have tried to stick to the core elements.
Cecil: Which singers will be recording the actual vocals?
Jacint de Benaulim: I have approached all the greats - Remo, Lorna, Ulhas Bhuyao, Hema Sardessai, Bikaji Ghanekar... and I have full faith that they will co-operate in this project of mine. In fact I am approaching the Government to co-sponsor the cassette production since in a way I am archiving a so far undocumented facet of our Goan culture and heritage.
Cecil: What about a CD too? That seems to be the current trend.
Jacint de Benaulim: Depending on the success of the cassette I plan to introduce sing-a-long Karaoke version on CD that is sure to be popular. Later maybe a video on Channel V picturising a medley of all the songs. This again all depends on how the Censor Board votes.
Cecil: Any other forthcoming innovations from Jacint de Benaulim?
Jacint de Benaulim: On the anvil right now is the first ever Konkani Tiatr Strictly for Adults named Bailek Bhonvnaita Pilot. It will be a sort of social commentary of our times dealing with marital infidelity. A unique feature of the tiatr will be a live motorcycle on stage and...
Cecil: That's all we have space for now folks. Email me at <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> with comments and suggestions for other personalities you would like interviewed.
------------ This article appeared earlier in the September 2002 issue of Goa Today ------------
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