[Goanet-News] A German falls in love... with Cantaram
A German falls in love... with Cantaram What happens when the guys from the Buena Vista Social Club take a trip to the Balkans? Believe it or not, they end up in Goa. A German lady sound recordist uncovers this reality when she ran into the Konkani 'cantaram' (as the popular form of music, unknown to the outside world, is locally know). By FREDERICK NORONHA Sigrid Pfeffer's 2001 holiday to Goa was mis-timed. She landed here at the end of September. The monsoons were just about ending. Humidity was almost a hundred percent. The hotels were still deserted. In the evenings, there were few tourists at the hotel. So, the place was spared of the standardised tourist music that one hears all over the world. Instead, for a change, the locals manning the bar chose to tune in to *their own* favourite radio programme. Pfeffer, a sound recordist at the Hessischer Rundfunk public broadcaster in continental Europe's financial capital of Frankfurt, distinctly recalls the shock on first encountering this form of Konkani music. Says she: Suddenly, there was this music like I had never heard before in my life. Yet, it seemed strangely familiar. Music that reminds me of sounds from the Caribbean, Eastern European folk, of music from Jamaica. Then again, it sounds Spanish to me -- it just didn't sound like what we perceive as 'Indian music'. Sigrid was puzzled. Nearly eight years later, her romance with Konkani music has only grown deeper. She has spent weeks in Goa (yet to visit the beach after five weeks here). During her many visits since, she has been scouring the trail of old records, record companies, artists who could give her permissions, people she could talk to, books on Goan music and more. She visited Chor Bazaar in Mumbai, where she found some useful LP (long-playing) records. She's still searching for more old records. Her dream: to preserve the recordings of the past, and, while doing so, to tell the wider world about this treasure, as she calls it. [Explains the Wikipedia: Chor Bazaar in South Mumbai is famous for its second-hand goods. The word Chor means thief in Hindi/Urdu. Chor bazar is Mumbai's famous Thieves Market where bargain-hungry tourists rummage for Ming vases and Muranos at throwaway prices. The main avenue is Motton Street, flanked by rows of little antique shops that look like musty attics and sell just about anything from old ship parts, grandfather clocks and gramophones, to crystal chandeliers and old English tea sets. Others offer authentic Victorian furniture, wonderful for browsers, antiquarians and restorers. Although bargains are sometimes staggering, most of the shop owners are pretty street smart, and could easily take a self-styled aesthete for a ride. This area can be considered one of the tourist attractions of Mumbai (Bombay). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chor_bazar] Until recently, recordings going back to the 1950s to 1970s were not available for Konkani music. This was its golden period, when the music was at its zenith and exuded its special charms. Many songs were, if at all, only available in newer, but not as charming, re-recorded versions. Life is an accident. She came here after a trip to Rajasthan, she reached Goa for what would be a beach holiday. I was so fascinated that I asked the staff, and they said this was Konkani music. She embarked on her long journey, not expecting how complex this story would be. Says she, I couldn't forget that music. Over eight years, she started to ask at the record shops. But they only had new records, or re-arranged music. It was not that what I was looking for. I came back, again and again, she says. Her trail took her to All India Radio. She recalls how she even entered a bar once at Panjim, just because she heard some music. But no, it was again not available. I continuously thought of compiling a CD, she says. That idea came from a friend. After wearing out many soles, she got the permissions. It is to be released in Feb-end in Europe. Earlier, an hour-long radio programme on the Konkani cantaram was also broadcast in Germany in June 2008, and a repeat is due in April 2009. Not just in Frankfurt, but in other German radio stations too. It's unusual for many reasons. It's the soul of Goa. For me, it's the real soul-touching music. It touched me deeply. It's soulful. In one song, you have many many different musical facets -- like Italian, French, Balkan. Everything is in there, and it's so nicely made. For me, this music has a very big value. It's very unique. Specially when you get to know the special -- and sometimes very sad (of colonialism and migration) -- history behind it. She notes that she's a sound technican, not a journalist or musicologist. It was the first time I produced a one-hour feature for a cultural channel, but I
[Goanet-News] Goa news for March 2, 2009
Goa News from Google News and Goanet.org Visit http://www.goanet.org/newslinks.php for the full stories. *** Goa to amend 114-year-old land law - NDTV.com http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=Tct=us/6-0fd=Rurl=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20090085135ch=2/28/2009%207:20:00%20PMcid=1309432353ei=iiirSY6OHImqlASs7fTtAwusg=AFQjCNHJTETakzlIBOIzKYsLjsQ27GKbeA *** CPI to contest both LS seats in Goa - Times of India http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=Tct=us/3-0fd=Rurl=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/CPI-to-contest-both-LS-seats-in-Goa/articleshow/4209162.cmscid=1309945441ei=iiirSY6OHImqlASs7fTtAwusg=AFQjCNFSDsDC9NvDg1IvpG71YbtHrKP9Kg *** Goa: Govt panel wants River Princess to be declared state disaster - Times of India old. One would be to obtain central funds to ... http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=Tct=us/9-0fd=Rurl=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Goa_Govt_panel_wants_River_Princess_to_be_declared_state_disaster/articleshow/4203579.cmscid=1309222649ei=iiirSY6OHImqlASs7fTtAwusg=AFQjCNGi7Int9httFwyXrPkpqCeAzIyg_A *** Change of mindset required Change of mindset - Times of India mes of India, IndiaDuring my schooling years in Kuwait I was overwhelmed by the Goan community or shall I say the Goan Catholic community via the various functions and tiatrs. I perceived Goa's identity as Catholic, but to my gradual realisation Goan identity was ... http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=Tct=us/8-0fd=Rurl=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Goa/Change-of-mindset-requiredChange-of-mindset/articleshow/4205633.cmscid=0ei=iiirSY6OHImqlASs7fTtAwusg=AFQjCNGsjTYXKqalxZiWTo295PIKYCKOEA *** Goa CM overrules IGP, gets police officer transferred - Times of India and Gajanan Prabhudesai, ... http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=Tct=us/7-0fd=Rurl=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Goa_CM_overrules_IGP_gets_police_officer_transferred/articleshow/4203574.cmscid=1309221353ei=iiirSY6OHImqlASs7fTtAwusg=AFQjCNFJKvOABpQvSBfJoJEWs99Kpt5zXw *** BRIEF: Goa election panel chief first to declare assets - TMCnet McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Goa Election Commissioner PM Borkar became the first election official on Saturday to declare his assets after India's other election commissioners have ... http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=Tct=us/5-0fd=Rurl=http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/-brief-goa-election-panel-chief-first-declare-assets-/2009/02/28/4021749.htmcid=0ei=iiirSY6OHImqlASs7fTtAwusg=AFQjCNE6Tx3vXhcVVSIGREESj_Ru9RHW-A *** A mix of Goa and Kerala was the promise, and tourists seem to like ... - Business Standard siness Standard, IndiaNoting the continuous and rising flow of foreign tourists to neighbouring Goa, the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) decided to reduce the reasons for it. And the experiment seems to be paying. It began by investing Rs 1.2 crore in ... http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=Tct=us/4-0fd=Rurl=http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/a-mixgoakerala-waspromisetourists-seem-to-likethey-see/00/03/350525/cid=0ei=iiirSY6OHImqlASs7fTtAwusg=AFQjCNGzE-Ruimpm8i4rzy3fM3FEDZJnOQ *** More migratory birds visit Goa - Times of India mes of India, IndiaPANAJI: The number of migratory birds species coming to Goa in the cool season has increased from 37 species last year to 50 species during the current year, as per statistics available with the state government. The important water bodies visited by ... http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=Tct=us/2-0fd=Rurl=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Goa/More-migratory-birds-visit-Goa/articleshow/4209912.cmscid=0ei=iiirSY6OHImqlASs7fTtAwusg=AFQjCNGMSyOCF_S5daPDb3a0yu8UfALybQ *** Goa\'s marine environment is corrosive - Times of India orrosion measures in a marine environment like Goa results in losses to the tune of crores of rupees, say experts. ... http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=Tct=us/1-0fd=Rurl=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Goa/Goas-marine-environment-is-corrosive/articleshow/4209920.cmscid=0ei=iiirSY6OHImqlASs7fTtAwusg=AFQjCNFAt8WEqqhtw198OB0hc6qAgWTi9g *** Save environment\' theme song for polls in Goa - Economic Times onomic Times, IndiaPANAJI: If development isthe issue across the country, the winning slogan in Goa seems to be preservation of environment and culture, except may be for the ruling Congress. #152;Save Goa, which was the main platform for the political parties wooing ... http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=Tct=us/0-0fd=Rurl=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Save-environment-theme-song-for-polls-in-Goa/articleshow/4210176.cmscid=0ei=iiirSY6OHImqlASs7fTtAwusg=AFQjCNGLfTwycZuawZGA2dSgsx1eVINdeg Compiled by Goanet News Service http://www.goanet.org/newslinks.php
[Goanet-News] Goa feels pinch of recession, terror and death (AFP)
Goa feels pinch of recession, terror and death Feb 17, 2009 ANJUNA, India (AFP) — A double-whammy of the global economic turmoil and Mumbai terror attacks has hit the usually bustling Indian resort of Goa hard as a disappointing winter tourist season draws to a quiet close. Others point to the death of a British teenager whose body was found on a beach in the former Portuguese colony a year ago Wednesday for affecting visitor numbers, shedding light on a murky sub-culture of sex, drink and drugs. About 2.7 million tourists from India and abroad came to tiny Goa state last year, enticed by sun, white sand and a dusk-to-dawn party atmosphere, bringing in more than 180 million dollars in revenue to the local economy. In recent months though, many of the beachside bars and restaurants have been virtually deserted, while other businesses and returning visitors have noticed a difference. The effect of the global meltdown has been felt and there was panic in the mind of the general public as well as tourists after the Mumbai attacks, said Lyndon Monteiro, vice-chairman of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation. There was a tremendous fall-out, he added. Last year it was good business. This year, not good business, very quiet, said Anita, who hawks clothes and jewellery on Anjuna Beach, usually a tourist hotspot. No tourists, chipped in Tina, 13, who also sells trinkets to sunbathers and shoreline strollers. Christmas and New Year beach parties were banned on security grounds last year after November's deadly attacks up the coast in Mumbai which led to a flood of cancellations from foreign tourists fearful of another strike. Business fell by between 30 and 40 percent in the peak month of December, in line with the rest of India, said Monteiro. It's a lovely place but everyone says it's down on last year. The parties are stopping earlier, if they're starting at all, said British tourist Henry, a Goa veteran, relaxing on a sunlounger outside an Anjuna Beach bar. The police have curtailed the parties, so a lot of people don't come here. They've gone to Thailand or Cambodia. The freaks who give the place its feel, the craziness, they've moved on or they're not coming. For friends and supporters of 15-year-old Scarlett Keeling's family, her death -- and the high-profile publicity afterwards -- badly affected Goa's reputation as an oasis of liberalism in strait-laced India. Her partially clothed, battered body was found on Anjuna Beach. She had taken a cocktail of drink and drugs and been raped before she died. The case of Scarlett Keeling, to my mind, has certainly affected tourism in Goa, said Vikram Varma, lawyer for Scarlett's mother Fiona MacKeown, accusing police of being in denial about the extent of the drugs problem here. A large number of officers had gathered a lot of intelligence and cleaned up a lot of petty crime in the beach areas (since her death), but despite this the quantum of tourists coming to Goa has fallen drastically. One British woman, who gave her name as Beth, said Scarlett's death was a crime waiting to happen. Three other foreign women were raped in Goa last year but did not report the crimes to the police, she claimed. There were numerous ones throughout the season that Scarlett died. So this has been an issue but none of it has been brought to light. The reason is because of tourism, she said. North Goa -- seen as the party capital of the state -- saw a rise in violent crime in 2008, including rape and murder, according to police figures. But Bosco George, superintendent of police for North Goa, rejected claims that Scarlett's death may have impacted on tourism and denied her mother's claims that police tried to cover up the crime to protect drugs gangs. Like tourism vice-chairman Monteiro, who is confident the state is bouncing back, George believes the Mumbai attacks and recession were more significant factors in the fall in visitor numbers here. Police action -- from beach patrols to tighter controls on bar owners and their mainly migrant worker staff -- has had an effect, he said. (Bar owners) realise that this is in the interests of Goa, their business and avoiding such unfortunate incidents, which give Goa a bad name, said George. Goa is still a safe place. It's still a place where you can have a nice time. But people need to be a little bit cautious when they come to a different country, he said. http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gPIIyNZTj2lKLSPlxHneBVTu3bVA
