Oscar C. Lobo wrote:
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'm curious to know how you came to this conclusion about the ethnic identity of the singers resort.
You might be right, but I've not come across people from other states entering this field -- e.g. being musicians in local hotels and deployed for singing Konkani songs. Had this been done, it would be a rather unique contribution to the melting pot that is Konkani; but I don't think it has yet happened. Correct me if my belief is untrue.
(I've seen Sikhs printing press employees and Oriya watchmen speaking fluent to better-than-average Konkani, but none employed as singers in that language in local hotels.)
I am also painfully aware that a number of expat Goans seem to believe that only Catholics are "Goans". Those suffering under such a perspective need to check their history and their geography. It is no less serious an attempt as the recent attempts to rewrite the history of India based on religious bias.
If there was a performance put up by Kanta Gaude's folk troupe from Ponda, I wonder how an expat would categorise them. Where does Goan attire end and Indian costume begin? Probably the average Indian tourist has similar stereotypes about the young women and men dancing on the river cruises at the Mandovi, when they switch from the red-and-black of the corredinho to the dekhni-style garb or, horror of horrors, the kashti that lends legitimacy to the Goan fishermen's song.
Goa's reality being a multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic and multi-cultural mix, how would one describe the less Westernised, less Catholic forms of culture that comes from say Canacona, Sanguem or Bicholim? If we would like to erase certain cultural practices out of the definition of "Goan", then in what way are we different from the religious bigots who do the same while in power?
On the other hand, in the world of playback music, a number of singers from outside Goa have actually sung in Konkani. That they have had a clearly 'foreign' accent hasn't stopped a generation of Goans from enjoying their music.
Quite some bit of Konkani music comes from Mangalore -- whether it's from the great Wilfy Remembus or the dedicated and younger Eric Ozario. Beyond that, singers with names like Kaur (Sikh suffix for a lady) and the Calcutta-based Usha Uthup (who sings probably in a dozen languages, including English) have lent their voice to Konkani. Here, one probable explanation could be: in those times, the recording industry was based in big cities like Bombay and Calcutta. It was also dominated by big players, as cutting and marketing a record was a huge investment. (Even a Remo Fernandes had to struggle with his first cassette, and roam around on his scooter selling it.) Today, with recordings becoming possible even in Orlando Fernandes' flat-cum-studio at the Four Pillars (and many bigger places in Margao, Panjim, Bastora, etc) the situation has changed.
Just some provocative points to a provocative post. FN
.......................................................................... Frederick (FN) Noronha | Freelance Journalist | Mobile +91 9822 122436 Tel +91.832.2409490 | http://fn.swiki.net | http://www.bytesforall.org ..........................................................................
