With the recently held Mando Festival at Kala Academy getting scant attention (and support) I decided to check out what the Internet held for lovers of Goan Music in terms of articles and downloads.
According to the official Goa Tourism website
(http://goatourism.nic.in/fcolprart.htm) "Mando is a group song-cum-dance of
Goan Catholics. The songs cover the entire gamut of emotions in love,
accompanied by the beats of Ghumat and romantic strains of violin. Set to the
Latin American tune, the song with a local theme starts with a sad and slow note
and ends on a faster beat called Dulpods or Durpodha, the rhythmic pattern being
akin to Khaiyal songs. In fact Mando represents the mingling of Indian and Western
traditions. Whereas Suvari is a traditional folk music, a tone setter to all
Hindu religious and festival performances. The music is orchestral in nature and
relies heavily on laya and tal, as spoken words are few. The orchestra consists
of ghumat, shamel, cymbals and sometimes sehnai and surt". "Other forms of Goan
music include Banvad, Cantaram, Dasra Vadan, Gadya Ramayan, Gaun Kani, Gosavi
Gayan, Gudulya Geetam, Jat, Lagan Geet, Lavni, Pavada, and devotional music like
Bhajan-Dindi, Carol Singing, Kirtan and Ladainha."
A well researched synposis of the evolution of contemporary Goan music is
available at www.amchegoa.com/music.htm. To quote.. "Cantaram (Konkani for
songs) have for decades now been taking their cues from real life. Local Konkani
singers are quick to get across their comments, on men and matters, often within
days of the event, with stunning boldness, criticism and satire. Today, their
bluntness is often directed against politicians and the bureaucracy; and on
occasions against the feminine gender."
For sheer volume and range though nothing can beat the huge collection of Goan
music-related articles at www.goa-world.net/music/. A researcher could lose
himself for days just going through the pot pourri here. Photos of Chris Perry's
funeral, an article on Brass Bands, Mando Utsav at Divar, Music Bands in Kuwait,
a chat with Basilo Magno, new releases . and even a huge selection of
downloadable audio (MP3) and video songs (Windows Media Player). To top it all
there is even a Live Konkani Music section which emulates a radio over the
Internet.
Sandesh Prabhudesai's revealing interview with Pt Bhaskar Chandavarkar on the
eve of the first All India Konkani Sangeet Sammelan is archived at
www.goanews.com/8jan02.htm. "In spite of having such a rich tradition for four
generations, the Konkani music has still not found its own place in contemporary
Indian music. It is either found to have been imitating the Marathi music or the
western influence is drifting it away towards new musical trends - both alien to
the original Konkani music. "In the UK the Goan Musical Society
(http://www.geocities.com/g.m.s/ ) was officially launched on 7th December 1997
at Woodside Park Club, London. The GMS wishes, among other things, to
introduce budding musicians and singers to the local Goan Community in London,
besides organising performances by visiting Goan musicians/singers from Goa or
elsewhere.
Our very own Remo Fernandes has his own site (www.remofernandes.com) where one can check out his Facts, Lyrics, Music Videos, Photos, Interviews, Drawings, Writings... or even join his Fan Club.
The only dedicated site for those interested in Goan music is www.dulpod.com.
Basically a monthly webzine dedicated to Goa Music. Just three issues old it is
a rather recent site All back issues are archived on the site. Superbly edited
by Caetano De Abreu the site has articles by prominent historians, writers and
musicians - against the backdrop of a well designed interface by Mario Alvares
(www.alienwiz.com). Owned and managed by Orlando Fernandes, of Angel Audio
Video, this site has great promise. Orlando is well known in Goan music circles
for his technical brilliance and experience. He has plans to make dulpod.com
into a one-stop-shop for everything related to Goan Music. Currently one can buy
tapes and CDs from a limited selection. Interestingly the site also features a
link for the long awaited album 'Hridym' featuring the late Selwyn Menezes.
Footnote: Goa Trance - It's origins are questionable but it is a music form which just cannot be ignored in an article on Goan music on the Net. Best described in quotes...
"We developed the concept of redefining the ancient tribal rituals for the 21st century and tried to use the party situation to uplift people's consciousness through the trance-dance experience. It's nothing new, every tribal group since the beginning of time has been practicing this thing. You know, use music and dance to evoke the cosmic spirit, and everyone would be rejuvenated and healed by that, and the earth also. We developed a similar idea that would be acceptable to the youth of today." - Goa Gill, one of the original Goa Trance party hosts (www.pwrgrrl.com/goatrance.html)
"Named after the favoured head-state of those frequenting the Indian beaches of Goa, trance music has its roots in the early experiments in electronic music as well as the parties at Anjuna beach. Playing to throngs of fluro painted party goers, DJs would add drum loops to eighties electronic music." (www.internetdj.com). Very educational site. "The first step towards what we know nowadays as Trance or Goa Trance was done in 1988 with the introduction of the TB 303 sound into straight beat dance music, and the amazing effect it was found to perform over people dancing." - http://www.isratrance.com/general/trance.html
"Goa Trance is at the other end of the Trance spectrum, recognizable by the
following characteristics that distinguish it from other forms of Trance, as
itemized by Sully's Defintions:
- a very steady 4/4 beat.
- lots of very psychadelic sounding wobbly noises, and acidy sounds.
- a lot going on, noise wise. No poncey Detroit minimalism here - just chuck in
loads of boingy wibbly noises, all on top of eachother. Imagine early Eat
Static, but with less imaginative rhythms, and you're getting close. Pyschedelia
is the key.
- It is traditional, but not obligatory, to have at least one sample from a
cheesy 50s Sci-Fi film or Star Trek sample per track. 'All channels and
frequencies clear', 'The electrons do it to the neutrons, the neutrons do it to
themselves', kind of thing.
- Tracks generally go on for ages."
(http://www.geocities.com/undergroundtribes/trance.htm)
=======
WEBQUEST was my monthly column in Goa Today magazine. This article appeared in the February 2003 issue.
Cecil Pinto =======
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