GETTING INTO THE GROOVE... UNDERSTANDING WHAT THEY'RE SINGING ABOUT
Like me, you could be one of those Goans whose family histories made them
a third-generation emmigrant. If so, almost certainly, there would be a
lot of gaps in your attempts to understand Goan tradition. Blame this, if
you like, on the lack of a grandmum around to immerse you into that.
Probably it's a good thing!
Anyway, don't feel too sorry for yourself, Goa is one state where
one-third of the population (a very rough guestimate) comprises expats who
have returned after spending some part of their lives in some distant part
of the globe. Even if it was just for two years of babyhood, as in this
writer's case.
If you add to this the number of in-migrants, the number swells even more.
Obviously, this is a large market of people who need to understand
something about their home-state. Specially it's traditions, its
music... Given the new role being played by ICTs (information and
communication technologies), we have the means to reach out to a wider
audience.
Mumbai-based Fausto V da Costa <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> who happens to be
the brother of 'Gulab' publisher-editor-priest Freddy da Costa, puts
together this interesting CD of 'remix' mandos, dulpods, dekhnnis, kunnbi
songs and folk songs. Fifteen numbers ranging from 'Mando Goencho' ("Ho
mando Goencho khoro, Nachonk kitlo boro / Hubra haddta haro, Vazlearunch
puro") to 'Undir Mama' ("Undra mhojea mama, ani hanv santam tuka / Tea
mazorichea pilea lagim khell manddinaka") and much more.
These are the types of songs that are sung at the traditional (some might
say culturally very slow-evolving!) Goan parties. Whichever part of the
globe you might be at.
The good thing about 'Goa Sings' is that it includes a slim booklet giving
the lyrics of all the songs. It also includes a very wide range of
traditional Goan songs, and would ensure you don't feel quite left out
when the sing-along starts at that next party. The not-so-good thing is
that the CD version is priced at Rs 300, when other Indian CDs are selling
for less. But then, one has to grant that Konkani's small-sized market
does not easily allow for the economies of scale.
Undeniably, Fausto and his group have been long and determinedly trying to
keep the cultural flag of Goa flying atop the Fort locality's crowded
lanes in Mumbai, where he's basied.
It would be great if the lyrics booklet -- for the benefit of all of us,
sometimes contemptuously referred to as that set of de-nationalised Goans
-- had English translations. Given the reality of the many variants of the
Konkani language (something not many want to face up to), this becomes all
the more relevant. Of course, the Bardexi dialect is sometimes used in
song, as it is frequently in the tiatr and some other cultural forms. But
suddenly, the song breaks into Xashti... which could be yet another
foreign language, especially when it comes to tracing the nuances of
lyrics a century or more old.
Maybe we have only ourselves, our history, emigration (and the lack of
sufficient easy-to-learn Konkani courses) to blame!
For those who might be interested, this CD includes * Mando Geoncho * Kai
Borelo Komblo * Amnni Gumnni * Kolvontam Nachtai * Istimosanv Rozachem *
Tambdde Rozad Pole * Gupit Mog * Undir Mama * Moddganvam Thoveager *
Bannavlleche Monte Sokolu * Bokem Mhojem * Te Bainchem Udoku * Tanddela
Taz Mar * Askin Koxem Ublem * Maner Kensu * Danv Dadulea * Mhozo Poti
Bombaim Gela * Kavllea Kiteak Roddttai * Soglli Rati Bainkodde * Kunnbi
Jaki * Roza * Cecilia Mhojem Nanv * Cheddva Go Cheddva * Fulu Jardinantlem
* Jimmy * Marikin * Dezembra Mhoino * Manak sotri Lavun Vhor * Hanv Saiba
Poltoddi Voitam * Cheddva Za Go Kazar * Ag Fulam Bai * Sho Juana * Dogi
Tegi Biatini * Bhikari * Chol Cholotam Zali Rati * Farar Far and a couple
of instrumentals. Quite a range.
Not difficult to recommend this. I'd rate it at three-and-half of five.
________________________________________________________________________
Price Rs 300. CD. From Dinfa Productions, 14 Nafees Chambers, 1st Floor,
121-123 Mody Street, Fort, Mumbai 400001. Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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