25 Mar 2024  |   03:49am IST

Luis Coutinho and his family choir revive motet singing in Orlim

A motet is a vocal musical composition, sung in several parts, with words. Believed to be derived from the Latin word for ‘movement’, it describes the movement of the different voices against one another. The earliest motets arose during medieval times, and the polyphonic musical style hit its peak during the renaissance period

FRAZER ANDRADE

MARGAO: Orlim is a quiet village situated in Salçete taluka, 8 km south of Margão, and is home to a beautiful 16th-century Church dedicated to Saint Michael. Luis Francisco Coutinho, 62, a resident of Orlim, loves to keep himself engaged in agriculture and teaching children solfege. And along with his wife and children, Luis is a ray of hope for the dying tradition of motet singing in Goa.

“We started our first-ever choir around 1986 when our fees were just Rs 200, and every member earned nothing more than a sum of Rs 20,” he recalls. Further, he mentions that in those initial days, their choir did not really have a name, but was just a group of trained musicians and singers performing for various occasions. Only in 1989 was the choir named the St Michael choir, and uniforms for its members were introduced in 1995. “Initially, it was my wife Ida, our neighbours, and friends who came together to create some amazing music. It was only after 2004 that my two daughters Dipti and Preeti joined in as a violin duo, followed by my son, Salil,” says Luis. The choir mainly sings motets, mandos, and other liturgical hymns in four voices.

“Our family has been into music for generations, and this rich family heritage of music inspires us to keep going,” says Luis. His uncle, Santano Coutinho, served as the mestre at the Igreja de São Miguel, Orlim until the mid-1960s, after which his father, José Piedade Coutinho, took over the position until the mid-1970’s.

Further, he mentions that their journey of singing motets began in 1991-92 at the Orlim church, during the tenure of Rev Fr Planton Farria. Their talents were homed in the early 2000’s, listening to pieces sung at the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Esperança in Chinchinim under the direction of Fr Romeo Monteiro. It is indeed satisfying to see young blood taking keen interest, under Luis’ passionate guidance, to sing motets, a rare sight today.

“It is very unfortunate that our churches do not patronise motet singing in these times. Many parishes even discourage the singing of motets due to what is considered by them as ‘not a necessity or unnecessary expenditure or often something that is not understood and appreciated by the congregation,” remarks Luis. “Being from Orlim, we have no support whatsoever from our very own parish,” he adds. “As of today, we are allowed to sing only two motets during Good Friday services, which we may be asked to discontinue in the future,” adds Luis, with a lot of anxiety. Fr Savio D’Souza has always patronised motet singing and invites the group to sing motets wherever he has been posted. Thanks to Fr Savio, the group has been able to showcase the rich legacy of motet singing in places like Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel, Ambelim; Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel, Tivim Cança; Igreja de São Bartolomeu, Chorão, and the Church of St Elizabeth in Ucassaim. Luis recalls that earlier, their motet choir comprised 25 singers. However, currently, the choir sings in four voices with two singers singing each voice, accompanied by five musicians playing two violins, two clarinets, and a double bass.