MUSIC IN GOA My family and I spent 4 weeks in Goa and had a reasonably good time. Goa is progressing on a small to medium scale. The influx of tourist does make a difference and the earnings does help Goa and the Goan economy.
First time, after the invasion, Panjim looked clean, which was in preparation for the Film Festival in Goa late last year - 2004. We stayed in La Goa Azul Resort, Arpora, a very comfortable and a friendly place, warmly greeted by all staff. The food was excellent and the place had a great ambience. In short a resort well run by a group of management. The resort had regular shows i.e. Magician, Indian dancers, duo's etc. which were very exciting. However, one evening my heart broke into two when a group of Non-Goans came to sing Konkani songs. They sang songs like Undra magea mama and others. For me to listen to them was a disaster. For others who knew nothing about the language i.e. people from Europe, it was a good form of entertaining as the troupe dressed the Indian costumes instead of Goan attire. I was embarrassed that we do not have our Goan people to sing Konkani songs in Goa. I have no grudges against any one singing Konkani, however, if someone wants to sing, they need to practice until one gets the accents to near perfection. I would have thought, the groups are checked before they are made to sing in the presence of people from various countries. Perhaps, resorts in general in Goa owned by Goans may be delegating the recruitment of entertainment to non- goan management. I would expect resorts or hotels run by non-goans to have such troupes in their hotel/resort management. Oscar C. Lobo Melbourne
