The centuries-old Goan folk art of Balidhuwar singing continues to thrive in the small village of Vaizawada, thanks to the dedication of Ganesh Kushta Velip and his team members Shanu Ram Velip and Chimut Puno Velip. The trio has become a beacon of cultural preservation, keeping alive one of Goa’s oldest storytelling traditions through soulful performances passed down through generations.
Balidhuwar, derived from the name of King Bali Raja — the legendary ruler revered as the king of farmers — is a traditional form of singing that narrates epic tales from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Performed without written scripts or notes, it relies entirely on oral transmission and memory, reflecting Goa’s deep-rooted folk and agrarian heritage.
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Ganesh Velip, who learned the art from his father Kushta Velip and grandfather, says he feels a strong sense of responsibility to continue their legacy. “We learned Balidhuwar songs by listening to our elders. But now, the younger generation is losing interest. The government should help promote this art so that it reaches more people and inspires youth to carry it forward,” he said.
During performances, the artists don traditional Goan attire — pagadi (headgear), dhoti, and shawl — embodying the essence of Mul Goemkar (original Goan) culture. A full Balidhuwar performance can last six to seven hours, though on stage they often condense it into 20-minute segments due to time constraints. Village festivals, however, still host the extended versions, transforming the celebrations into vibrant displays of Goan oral heritage.
The group regularly performs across Goa, drawing appreciation for their efforts to preserve this fading art form. Cultural enthusiasts believe that with proper recognition, training programs, and state support, Balidhuwar singing could find a new audience and inspire more young Goans to embrace their traditional roots.
Ganesh Velip and his team stand as living symbols of Goa’s rich cultural continuity, proving that even in a fast-changing world, folk traditions can endure when passion meets purpose.
