Usha Uthup needs no introduction in Goa. Her songs sung for Chris Perry’s album ‘Meu Amor’ in the 1970s are still heard on the radio and she still sings Konkani songs with the same zest. When she was approached by Colin D’Cruz of Jazz Goa to sing a song in Konkani, ‘Goa Mhojem, Bhangarache,’ she felt that the doors to Goa had opened up for her again.
“I feel like I visited Goa just yesterday, the magic, the buzz and the beauty is still there. I speak to my Whatsapp group every morning especially with Colin and his wife Diana and I feel like I’m in Goa only. It has been a fantastic journey that even my most popular song was in the film, ‘Bombay to Goa’ with Amitabh Bachchan. My biggest show was in Goa, nearly 51 years back with Ronnie Menezes, V Fernandes, Ezee and Florine. Xavier Fernandes was the legend who brought me the cover song of, ‘Jambalaya’ which was a big hit,” says Usha enthusiastically .
Colin D’Cruz, the man who brought Usha back to Konkani music lovers, says, “Bangalore based jazz guitar virtuoso Gerard Machado contributed with a world-class guitar solo that complimented Usha’s brilliant rendition of the song, ‘Goa Mhojem, Bhangarachem,’. Jason Quadros, one of Goa’s young jazz giants played piano, Angelo Colasco played drums and I played upright bass. Goans love the waltz so I decided to make it a jazz-waltz. I kept the melody simple and Usha delivered far better
than expected.”
“Usha Uthup has always been a larger-than-life figure to me since my childhood. I have seen her perform live in Mumbai many times and what really blew me away besides her voice was her ability to connect with her audience. I have yet to meet this iconic artiste even though I am producing her ‘Konkani Jazz’ album. Thanks to the internet, I am able to do this through online exchanges,” he adds.
How did Colin convince Usha to sing in Konkani? ”Usha loves Goa. Her Konkani songs with Chris Perry made her a household name in Goa. Convincing her to sing in Konkani was the easiest part of my Konkani Jazz project. ‘Goa Mhojem’ is the title track of the twelve song Konkani Jazz album featuring Usha Uthup. All twelve songs will be released as singles and finally the complete album will be launched in a big way with Usha performing the songs live in Goa. Besides the Goan diaspora, people from all over the world are currently enjoying the title track online,” he explains his future plans.
Bond Braganza wrote the lyrics for the song within an afternoon by reminiscing about his childhood in Goa. Having written songs for noted singers like Sonia Shirsat, Nephie Rod, Scully, Sanio and his own daughter, Veeam Braganza, Bond was excited when Usha called to check on the pronunciations of the words. “The song is very simple with two verses of two lines each but she is so committed to her work that every word and nuance has be right. she sent me her recording to check what she was singing. we are next working on ‘Aik Gho’, a version of the song ‘Iko Iko,” says Bond.
“From the initial idea that Evelyno planted into my mind to the video being uploaded to Jazz Goa’s YouTube channel took less than a month. The interesting thing was the entire production of both the audio and video was done in online exchanges. Bond is the most amazing Konkani lyric writer. His lyrics simply flow into song. I briefed him on the idea of creating a song about Goa after my friend Evelyno Braganza told me his ninety-six year old mum suggested the song should start with ‘Goa Mhojem, Bhangarache’. Bond took it from there and turned it into a song that will touch every Goan no matter which part of the world they live in,” says Colin.
Speaking about their experience of working together from Goa to Kolkata, Colin was overwhelmed with her humility while Usha had a marvelous experience with Colin’s patient and soft spoken nature. “I have yet to meet Usha even though I feel I have known her all my life. I am touched that ‘Padmashree Usha Uthup’ has trusted me with both audio and video. One of my biggest honors in an over four decade career,” he adds.
Colin is hoping this innovative Konkani Jazz album will influence other singers to create music from Goa that will reach a global audience rather than just the Goan diaspora.