It has been said: “This land is your land,
this land is my land, this land was made for you and me.” Or so American bard,
Woody Guthrie would have us believe. The village of Curtorim is no exception to
Guthrie’s beliefs. Over time and age, it has played an intrinsic part in the
formation of Goa’s iconic Mando. It’s one of the two villages where the
birthing of this art form took place, the other being Loutolim. The village has
gone on to produce several iconic names of its own, with Arnaldo de Menezes
being regarded an authority amongst Mando composers, Ligorio da Costa who
composed the acclaimed Goan folk song ‘Tambde Rosa’, and now Vince Costa, whose
2015 release ‘Saint and Sinner’ is a musical tribute to the village, and the
latest testament to the musical prowess of the sons of its soil.
In similar vein, Vince speaks on how
Curtorim worked as his muse, saying, “Geographically, as it is positioned.
This, along with its natural topography lends the perfect environment for
creativity. We are on the banks of the river Zuari, with at least 5 lakes, lush
paddy fields and beautiful hills all around us. All one really needs to decide
on is where he or she wants to feel inspired, and the village provides the
atmosphere.”
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However, through self admission, Vince’s
relationship with Curtorim is one that almost mirrors the concept of Milton’s
‘Paradise Lost’. “My journey with the village playing a part in my life is one
that has been turbulent. As a young adult I wanted to be as far away as
possible from Curtorim. I saw it as a place that was too slow and too insipid.
I believed that only an urban city could satisfy my ‘energy’. But at some point
in time, I fell in love with the village and today, it’s an integral part of
who I am.”
This pride and sense of belonging is one
that is not alien to other residents of the area, whose sentiment stems from
the belief that true Goa lives in her villages where the strings of the fabric
of local culture and ‘Goanness’ are held together. It is Vince’s belief that
‘Saint & Sinner’ is a by-product of this specific geographical link that he
shares with Curtorim. “The album was born and created in Curtorim. The sound is
‘Americana’ in nature, but local stories inspired the album. Local musicians
played on the album. People from outside who had never visited Curtorim had the
chance to visit and admire it. I would walk through the fields well past
midnight, stand under a sky full of stars with my guitar and feel the songs
come right through me. Hence, if it wasn’t for Curtorim, there would be no
‘Saint & Sinner’. I think the time has come for us to embrace exactly where
we come from and stop being shy of who we are. I see an abundance of musical
talent in Curtorim that I’m looking forward to interacting with and watching
them thrive.”
This album has featured other local
artistes in the form Victor Da Costa who played violin and wrote the string
arrangements and is a multi award winner at the Mando festival, Fabio Carvalho
who co-wrote with Vince on the project and who is also part Curtorkar, and
Ligorio’s legacy lives on through his great grandson, renowned Goan bassist,
Marwino da Costa who has recorded on the album. It is through these musical
heroes, and others that follow in their footsteps, that not just the essence of
Goan music, but its roots and foundations will stay strong.
