THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2024
Ajit John
The state is bedeviled by problems that have the potential to change its very face. The biodiversity of the state could be altered radically if the environment threatening projects project in Mollem takes off. Coal also called black gold has marked the lives of the people living in parts of Vasco. Now plans to double track to ensure the movement of coals have been planned and things are moving on the ground slowly due to intense opposition from the people. People from all walks of life have been enthused to be part of the campaign. Music is part of the DNA in the state. It is part of every occasion and there is a song for every occasion. Musicians have played an important role in the state at various points of time. Now the musicians are coming together to protest against the cola industry and more specifically plans to double track. Patrick lobo a very feisty man felt the time had come to stand up and be counted. He sat with Bianca Rebello wrote a song over five days called Rong Rongit Goyem. Rocky Lazarus composed the music and was responsible for its arrangement. Patrick said they decided to use traditional Konkani which required them to use certain words not in use. This was done to highlight tradition. Patrick said “We have written another song on Mollem called Pachvem Amche Mollem. The song was released and it was very popular. The activists were singing this song when they were arrested and the chorus was very popular and they sang it with great gusto when they were arrested”. He said with the song Rong Rongit Goyem the aim was different. He said “Goan musicians have come together to fight these environment destroying projects. Both young and old, everyone is united. We want to deliver a clear message this disastrous project is not required. We totally oppose it; the word coal itself is equal to disaster”. Speaking about the lyrics he said “Goa has a lot of colour with the carnival, zagor and shigmo, Goa is beautiful for us Goans there is nothing like Goa. Goa is of Goans.” The chorus he said talked about the colour and why did anyone want to make the beautiful trees, its fruits and the sunset at Miramar, black. The last two paragraphs of the song was loud and clear while stating the people of Goa did not want double tracking or Mollem. Bianca Rebello a pianist said she had to get involved because she saw all the good people fighting for the cause and she was forced to ask herself how she could contribute to this. She said “Patrick and I decided we would write this song, this is my contribution to my state. This project will cause the destruction of water bodies, the greenery in the state would be reduced dramatically and there would be nothing for the future generations. She said “I was involved in the first song and we want people to get up and contribute for Goa. Goenkars have to get involved”. The musicians and the singers were all enthused by the experience of being part of something so big. Sheldon Pereira a bass layer said everyone wants to contribute to the campaign. Emmanuel Meneses who plays the electric guitar, bass and the piano said he was being part of this for the simple reason he wanted to be part of a campaign for the cause of Goa. He said he was managing the entire thing. Asked how the entire project was being funded he said everyone raised money from sponsors and the musicians were giving their time for free. If a studio or anyone charged them money, it would come of their pockets. The song is sung by a twenty year old singer who it can be safely said will go places. Nicole De Souza said she was approached by Patrick. She said “I just loved the lyrics and I will confess this was the first time I am being involved in something like this. It was an educative experience and I learned so much from musicians like Rocky and I would like to thank Patrick and Bianca for giving me this experience”. A belief in the campaign drives these musicians and one can only hope the song catches the attention of the people and drives them to campaign against a project that could destroy the Goa as they know it.
