“Music acts like a magic key, to which the most
tightly closed heart opens.” ― Maria Augusta von Trapp
Reflecting the truth in these words is warm
and welcoming Goa, where one has the unique
opportunity to attend music concerts of varied genres.
Besides Indian classical and Western classical music,
the people of Goa bestow equal love to Jazz, Indie,
Pop, Sufi and choral music, with concerts of every
genre garnering great audiences.
Colin D’Cruz of Jazz Goa celebrates World Music
Day as World Jazz Day as he feels that Jazz today has
evolved into world music. “Jazz has embraced every
genre of music. The audience is always there and those
who are passionate about Jazz will attend the concert.
We also have new listeners joining in. This year, we
organised the fifth edition of the International Jazz
Day Concert. Jazz Goa was the only Jazz institute in
India that celebrated the day with a concert ,since its
institution in 2012,” says Colin.
Pravin Gaonkar is the president of Swastik Cultural
Association that organises ‘Swarmangesh’ in the
memory of great Goan thespian and singer late Master
Dinanath Mangeshkar. In its sixth edition this year,
the Indian classical music concert will be held on
December 4, 2016. “There are many Indian classical
music concerts being held in Goa but very few are big
events. Our concerts feature both budding musicians
as well as veteran artistes and cater to an overcrowded
audience. The one-day event is held from 9am to
9pm and we organise the concert in an open-air
space to accommodate the public that can’t sit in the
auditorium,” says Pravin, who adds that artistes like
Pt Ajay Chakrabarty, Kumar Bose, Ustad Rashid Khan,
Shahid Parvez and Pt Ulhas Kashalkar have performed
in Goa.
Speaking about the difficulties that one faces
while organising these events, Pravin says, “The show
is open to all and not ticketed. This increases the
pressure on sponsorship which is one of the biggest
problems. The expense of organising the event and
getting the performers is high. Also, getting dates
from noted artistes can be difficult due to their busy
schedules.”
Other noted Indian classical music concerts
include the Surashree Kesarbai Kerkar Sangeet
Samarohaa that recently held its 36th edition at Kala
Academy in Panjim, ‘Anahatnaad’ that had its tenth
edition organised by Gomant Vidya Niketan Margao,
Samraat Sangeet Sammelan in Ponda and the Pandit
Jitendra Abhisheki Festival organised by Tarangini
Sanskrutik Pratisthan, Mumbai, which is known for
hosting one of the biggest classical music festivals of
India. Besides these concerts, other events include
Smt Anjani Bai Malpekar Smruti Sangeet Samaroh
held in Mapusa and Pt Govindrao Agni and Late Smt
Anjanibai Lolaekar Smriti Sangeet Samaroh Goa held in
Canacona every year.
“The audience age group is in the bracket of 40 to
70 years; youngsters studying Indian classical music
make up around 20 per cent of the audience. There are
also many foreigners who specially attend the concert
because they are interested in the genre. In fact, they
show great reverence for the performances, listening
in rapt attention,” says Pravin.
Rudolf Ludwig Kammermeier is the founder of Art
Chamber in Calangute and the executive director of
the Ketevan World Sacred Music Festival in Old Goa
that was organised by the Old Goa Music Society
(OGMS) for the first time this year. Rudolf says, “There
were nearly 4,000 people for the Ketevan World
Sacred Music Festival, which says a lot about Western
classical music in Goa. At the Art Chamber, we have
different artistes performing based on their availability.
During the season, we have nearly 3-4 concerts every
month, which includes international artistes. This year,
we had musicians like Karl Lutchmayer, Marialena
Fernandes and Hotel Palindrone in India, Chelsea
D’Souza and Joanna D’Mello to name a few. Many
Goans attend the concerts when they know who is
playing, especially if they are Goan artistes.”
Darryl Noronha from Art Escape has been
organising live shows and concerts in Goa. “We
have been receiving a houseful audience for most
of our concerts that feature international, national
and local artistes. Our concerts are usually organised
in the off season and do well as there is nothing
much happening. Getting sponsorship is the biggest
challenge as there is support in terms of audience but
not in sponsors. The sponsors pay for the whole event,
including the artistes, and if it is ticketed, the pressure
is on the venue. We are hoping to start ticketing for
the shows from next season as that is the only way the
concerts will grow as true music lovers will attend the
shows,” says Darryl, adding that they had over 500 gigs
in the last five years and 250 bands have performed in
just the last two years.
