If you ever thought that Goa music and melody was all about chartbusters like Galyat Sakhali Sonyachi and Ghe Re Sahiba, think again. Goa and its music have much more to offer than the obvious peppy mixes. Myriad influences over its original traditional music have gone on to give Goa its widespread music flavor that has found common ground all over. The blending of Portuguese music, it’s exotic melodies and foot tapping rhythms with the often complex and soulful Indian melodies has merged into a unique brand of aural delight that has global audiences mesmerized.
While emerging as a cultural identity Goa music is also a strong unifying factor that upholds the diversity of the smallest Indian state. Embellished with a wealth of musical instruments like the Tabla, Ghumat, Dhol Shehnai, that surfaced from the soil, Goa music attained its rainbow-colored instrumental splendor when the Portuguese stepped into the showground adding the Mandolin, Violin, Piano and other brass instruments to the mix. The succulent blend has an appeal that continues to linger long after the music is silenced on your systems.
For starters the sheer spread of musical types that emerge from the state is staggering. Melancholic ballads or Fados is a clear offshoot of the major Portuguese influence having gone to become synonymous with Goa musical whiffs. Mando, is another popular form of music birthed from the coming together of Indian and western music cultures. Rendered in Konkani, it highlights the resplendent aura of Indian music.
Vibrant dance forms of music like Dekhni and Dulpod are an indelible part of every Goa celebration. The Fugdi is a popular dance musical song while the Ovi is laden with nuptial themes. Among others Palnaam derived from the word Palna meaning cradle is a form of lullaby.
Wandering musicians perform the Talgarhi, an entertaining music piece that talks about daily life, politics and the typical Goa idiosyncrasies.
As a community, Goa locals dote upon their musical theatre Tiatr. Referred to as Tiatrists, the actors, perform Kants, an obligatory musical manifestation of the play with aplomb. The icing on the cake is the live band of trumpet, saxophone, bass guitar, keyboard and drums that never fail to jazz up public response.
It is also a marvel that Goa has given to the Indian classical and popular music musical divas like Lata Mangeshkar, Laxmikant Kudalkar (One half of the composer Laxmikant-Pyarelal duo) Kishori Amonkar, Kesarbai Kerkar to name a few.
Goa music with its long list of ethereal flavors further boosted by the obvious Portuguese influence blossoms into a large music reservoir. It also unsurprisingly attracts hordes of genre blending experiments churning out a continuous outpouring of distinctive music creators for an overflowing musical output.
Among the iconic Goa musicians is the incomparable Remo Fernandes, who, for decades has caught the imagination of music lovers. His eclectic musical mix blending Rock, Pop, Jazz and Indian influences, embedded with hit albums like Bombay City and Pack That Smack and solo hits like O Meri Munni and Humma Humma resonates across generations.
Another phenomenal talent native to Goa is the enduring Lorna Corderio. Popular as The Nightingale of Goa, she has owned the Konkani Jazz music since the 60’s, carving a legion of fans. Her breakthrough numbers Bebdo and Sopon apart Nachom-ia Kumpasar her biopic has immortalized her. Lorna Corderio symbolizes Goa and Portuguese cultural identity like few of her ilk.
There’s a bumper fan regiment of Goa performers that keeps clamoring for more. Youth icons like Xanisha and Croydon offering an eclectic mix of tradition and contemporary and Tsumyoki a hip-hop, trap and artist have carved a cubbyhole of admirers in the prevalent polyphonic music space. Setting the stage ablaze with their Pop, R&B, Rap are the Kidd Mange, 2jaym, and Elttwo of the captivating youth band Goa Trap Culture.
Lyndon Menezes, a master at contemporary sounds and tones gives Goa pop his unique twist to make his way to the national music top lineup.
Given the resplendent cultural vibe, music is tops on the list of leisure and recreation. The buzz with the overflowing music festivals that punctuate the year is palpable. With authorities rolling out the red-carpet to festival organizers a rollicking experience is unfurled for all.
The music and culture centric Serendipity Art festival, Sunburn, an EDM festival coming to the shores in December, Supersonic, a top-line event featuring a variegated jumble of Indian and global performers among others is another plateau for the talented virtuosos. Clearly, Goa Music festivals usher in the finest in Indian and Western artists.
Among the other happy musical tidings in Goa is the proactive stand taken by many schools in teaching music to their pupils. A peep into the grooming of the next Goa music superstars would be well worth a musical high.
