Music is intrinsic to human existence. It has been with
us since time immemorial. Importantly the mood of an individual or of a
community can change depending on the kind of music being played. This year has
been like an emotional black hole. People’s emotions have been strung tight
with all the death and suffering around caused by the virus. Then the state
government decided to push through the project silently without going through
the proper official channels. The people and more pointedly the youth of the
state stepped up and protested. And yes, the musicians of Goa came to the fore
to sing and to voice their opposition. More importantly, they sang songs about
the importance of keeping one’s chin up.
Patrick
Lobo who wrote the lyrics of Rongit Rongit Goyem which was sung by Nicole De
Souza said the song attracted around 25,000 views on Youtube. He said “It was a
protest against coal. It went viral. A large number of people uploaded the song
onto Facebook. Music is an important part of our culture. Any agitation or any
issue is always highlighted in song and it attracts attention in Goa and people
in the rest of the country who try to convey the message through song and
music. The song I wrote the lyrics for had the best musicians playing for us guys
who teach at the Kala Academy, musicians with degrees in music. They came
together to support other activists and to boost them and give them the
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push. The musicians said that they would always be
there for them. Our song was so very clear in its message. Why do you bring the
coal that makes Goa black?” He said many more songs could be expected in the
future because it was something that Goans loved so dearly.
Cecille
Rodrigues social activist has used music to highlight her campaign against the
poor state of roads in her area Taleigao and in the rest of the state. She said
“There are very few musicians who sing and work on the ground but the few who
do so are every committed. The rest do it for the mileage. There is no doubt
that music plays a very important role. This being Goa and to be connected with
music helps increase one’s reach. People are suffering because of the poor
state of the roads. Music highlighted the problem. Goans respond naturally to
music. We are watching the response from the village panchayat with regards to
what it is there are doing to improve the state of the roads. I am keeping my
fingers crossed”.
Father
Bolmax Pereira who helped organize youth flash mobs to highlight the issue of
double-tracking said the use of music was very important because it was a
universal language that everyone understood. He said “During this whole year
music has played a role in reinvigorating our soul. When the pandemic came,
music concerts were not possible. Musicians have a role to play in society.
Many of them performed online. Music gave hope at first because people were
scared. Look at history. Musicians sang We are the world to raise money for
Africa, to raise hope. Musical talent has always been used to raise awareness.
In Goa when the agitations started the musicians used songs to raise motivation
to join the campaign. We used to dance more specifically the O Jersualema song
to reach out to the youth. Music was so essential to touch a chord with the
youth. Even those who were not interested were motivated to join because of the
songs. Double tracking, Mollem, the decision-making style of the government has
been slammed in song. This has kept people’s motivations up.”
Myron
Lucas a musician composed a verse to highlight the absurdity of harmless youth
being picked up by the police in Panjim. He said “I had also composed a jingle
about double-tracking. We organised flash mobs and changed the lyrics of O
Jerusalema to reflect the realities of Goa. I converted slogans into verse so
that people could shout it better. I composed ABCD Amcha Goem Amka Di which was
liked by people. Then I took the Goan Mandwa beat for Man ki Baat, Man ki Baat,
Goa wale saat saat. People respond to music naturally over here and it makes
them smile. Music has certainly helped them this year and also while being part
of such campaigns”
Elrica Rodrigues who sings and was with Father Bolmax
in Panjim when the youth were being picked up said music was so important to
her very being and to Goans in general. Part of the church choir in Chicalim
church she said she listened to music all the time even when she was studying.
Janice Fernandes sang a song about the Bus hijack that took place on December
19 and said like many Goans she could not have a life without music. She has
been singing since 2010 and hopes to get more serious with her music and hopes
to one day sing even more as a solo artist.
Music
generates strong interest amongst ordinary Goans and this will remain so in the
future.
