Historic Konkani Sangeet Sammelan
begins...
Sandesh Prabhudesai
8 February 2002
Unlike any Sammelan held in the past,
the first historic All India Konkani Sangeet Sammelan will
also be remembered for its unique inaugural session, designed
by the young brigade of music lovers.
To be opened at the hands of Gansamradni
Padmavibhushan Kishori Amonkar at 4 pm on 9 February in
Margao, chief minister Manohar Parrikar and deputy chief minister
Ravi Naik will also grace the occasion.
Keeping the nature of the inaugural ceremony
a top secret, programme co-ordinator Saish Palondikar informs
that it will be a musical extravaganza, moulded with traditional
culture of Goa, which was lost in the books of history.
The Ravindra Bhavan grounds at the outskirts
of Margao, named after Gantapaswini Padmavibhushan
Mogubai Kurdikar, will come alive with the playing of Shantilal’s
Chowghudo – played in temples – while Kishoritai will
unveil the bust of Mogubai, prepared by young artist Valentino.
There is no welcome song as usual, but veteran
violinist like Emiliano D’Cruz and Fr. Peter Cardoz, heading
the Pilar Music School, is involved in the innovativeness
of the young enthusiasts. To add traditional flavour to it
will be Bandora’s Eknath Naik with the Mallem at the
main stage – to be called Chris Perry Machi – remembering
the musical maestro who left the world just two weeks ago.
Chaired by Goa’s young industrialist Srinivas
Dempo with power minister Digambar Kamat and M S Prabhu as
his deputies, the Sammelan would then take off. Series
of musical programmes will be then held simultaneously in
the main pandal – named after Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki –
and the angan – named after tiatrists Minguel Rod and
Alexin de Candolim.
It would begin with Mangalorian Golden Konkani
songs, which have been preserved since pre-inquisition period
by the Goan Christians who ran away to Mangalore in Karnataka
during Portuguese regime.
Goenche Nanv Vhodd Korun – an Indian
semi-classical musical programme, would follow it by great
Goan singers Pt. Prabhakar Karekar, Pt. Ajit Kadkade and Usha
Amonkar. The ethnic Musall Nach of Chandor and Zagor
of Cansaulim will also be an attraction in the Angan.
The Sunday morning would begin with Intruz
of Borda’s Piedade and group, as it’s Carnival time in Goa.
To add colours to it, will follow an open interview of its
kind of Kishori Amonkar by Konkani scholar Adv Uday Bhembre
at 10 am.
Then comes the most important slot of the
festival - Lok Naad – a presentation of real original
folk songs and dances, some of which are yet to be exposed
to the world. Gudduleam Poddam of Canacona, a recital
form which begins in the evening and ends next day morning
without using a single instrument.
It also includes yet another attraction –
the Siddi dance of Konkanis of African origin from
Yellapur, Karnataka, besides Ghumat Aarti from Chodan,
Ghumatavelim Podam from Mashem in Canacona, Mando
and Dulpodam from Quepem, Ranmale and Chepai
from Sattari, Goff from Poinguinim in Canacona and
Socarath and Chendu Falli from Sattari.
While young budding singers will also be
given an opportunity in the post-noon session in Soor Mhonve
Mhonve, violinist Emiliano D’Cruz will present Trio form,
Eknath Naik with Ghumat Aarti and Pagi Somajacho
Dhalo in the angan.
Then comes Goa’s most popular form – canataram
– to be presented by veterans like M Boyer, Rita Rose, Wilmix
and many others, from 5 to 7.30 pm.
The highlight of the Sammelan however
would be Paizonnam ani Mandolinam – a programme by
popular stars – with Philip Fortes and Lulu paying tribute
to Chris Perry, Mangalore’s famous Wilfy Remimbus and then….
Remo!
The creative English pop singer will present
Konkani songs – this time not with his band but the traditional
percussion instruments – a unique programme in itself.
While the musical extravaganza will go on,
the organisers have created an atmosphere of fest or
zatra with khajekar and bhojekar, so
that music lovers don’t find themselves in any artificial
atmosphere.
To add glitter to it, there is will be an
exhibition – the hall named after music scholar Mikhail Martins
– of traditional musical instruments as well as a special
exhibition of traditional equipment by Gopinath Gawas from
Keri, Sattari.
The stalls of musical cassettes, of course,
will be a memento of sorts to be taken back with the golden
memories of the two-day musical festival, a historic occasion
for every Niz Goenkar, wherever he/she may be…
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