Singing in Konkani has a different feeling to it, a feeling of belonging and unity. When Goan singers sing in Konkani, every Goan connects to the song and thanks to the wonders of the internet, songs are heard on repeat by Goans on every continent of the planet. The same goes with singers who are based in places other than Goa. Their pride in the motherland beckons them to sing in Konkani and they are widely accepted by the Goan Diaspora.
Sanio Fernandes from Seraulim has created
a niche for himself. Currently, working in Dubai, Fernandes is in Goa for
holidays and getting inspired to write his next musical wonder. He has an
amazing connect with the Goan diaspora as he travels to different countries for
his live performances. He recently had a solo live performance at the Easter
Palooza organised by the Goan Association of Florida that was celebrating its
30th anniversary in Florida, USA.
“Singing in Konkani gives me a sense of
pride and honour because it gives me an opportunity to represent my true
identity. I am a Niz Goenkar at heart and I always felt our Konkani music and songs
deserved a better stature. Having been given opportunities to travel abroad and
sing my Konkani songs in USA, UK, Australia and the Gulf, I feel, today, our
Goan identity is spread across the globe. Our Goans might have left the land
for better future of their children and for brighter opportunities, but they
are unable to disconnect their soul from where they belong and in their hearts,
which is Konkani and Goenkarponn. Everywhere I travelled thus far, I feel so
blessed to experience the true essence of Goenkarponn which is mog ani moipass
(love and affection). My upcoming show abroad is a Goan Konkani musical show in
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia to be staged on September 24,” says Fernandes.
Eusebio D'Souza is known as EZD in the
music circuit on social media. A rapper lyricist and composer hailing from
Anjuna, he started his music career in February 2020 and have given many hits
in Konkani, Hindi and English. Currently, residing and working in Dubai, UAE,
EZD has worked with various artists from Goa, India and other countries which
have given him a lot of insight and motivation to continue with my music.
“It gives me great pride to sing in
Konkani. It's all about getting a different flavour to our great history with
music. Having spent my whole life out of Goa, I feel proud to be one of the
first few people to actually rap in Konkani and keep our language alive. I've
seen many of my Goan friends' children shy away from Konkani. This is my
intention to just give the kids a fun way to learn both Konkani and rap. My
main priority has always been to promote Konkani rap and Konkani rap artists,”
says EZD, who has also performed at San Joao events in Dubai in 2021 and 2022.
He has also assisted with videography and choreography. His
latest single on YouTube was ‘Fudarak Zogotollo’ ft. DJ Moshley which was
released just two weeks back. His upcoming collaborations are with Goan artists
like Bongiso, Friz Love and Bab Avi Braganza.
Rohesh Surlikar also known as D!vzn is a Konkani rapper,
lyricist and music producer from Margao. When working on Princess Cruises for
long hours, his mind is still humming tunes for his new songs. In the music
industry for four years, his songs or lyrics are mostly based on social issues
and the reality faced by the masses. His lyrics are spiced with twists and
turns and bit of comedy and fun. He represents Down South Goa, a page on
Instagram and also a team of five individual artists, Blurred Lines, Malaz,
XSaiyonna and The V!per, that have the same goal of making a difference in Goa
with their music. “Down South Goa has a vision to bring together various
artists with talents across the state with no language barrier in music and
show what they are capable of doing. Most of them have never been given the
chance,” says D!vzn, who believes that no artist is made by himself.
D!vzn is currently working on two Konkani videos in Goa before
he gets his next call on the cruise line. “Konkani is my mai bhaas and
Konkani language is so versatile in its own form. There are so many dialects in
Konkani and pronunciations which are still unknown to us. That is what makes me
rap in Konkani because as a Goan, I can use so many words from all those
dialects and put it in my song. On the other hand, videos are a means of
expressing my lyrics to the masses. Music, good lyrics and a video makes a
happy viewer,” adds D!vzn.
Velrose is a Goan singer-songwriter, trumpeter, and actor based
in Toronto, Canada, who unfailingly participates in global Goan musical events.
She along with Sanio Fernandes were recently part of the 40 member ensemble
that sang a tribute song, ‘Lorna -- Ranni Kogull Goykaranchi (Nightingale of
Goa)’ for the living legend, Lorna Cordeiro, on Pio Agnelo Fernandes’ YouTube
channel.
Originally from St Estevam, Pereira completed her under graduation
in Theatre studies and performance at York University and yet through her busy
schedule, she finds time for Konkani music and performances. “There’s not a day
that goes by that I don’t reminisce about Goa. For me, feeling the closest to
Goa means speaking, playing or singing Goan songs. I believe this is one way, I
try to promote Goa and our rich culture here in North America. Whenever I do
shows here, I try covering at least one Goan song for most of my shows and
people seem to love it. I always say ‘Goa is the Caribbean of India’ and people
seem to understand that Goan music which is filled with various vibrant brass
instruments like Caribbean music such as Calypso. Along with playing Goan songs
on my trumpet, I enjoy singing Goan songs as well because I get the opportunity
to sing in Konkani. My single, ‘Goa’, which features Alison Gonsalves, has
definitely bloomed through my passion and love for Goa, especially being miles
away. I’m so grateful that many Goans in various parts of the world felt the
same,” says Pereira.
She recently had a performance at North America’s biggest Goan
festivals, called Viva Goa in Toronto which was organized by Goan Overseas
Association (GOA) headed by Selwyn Collaco. “I absolutely enjoyed it since it
brought thousands of Goans and their long extended families together on one
ground. And to witness their celebration of Goa through their food, singing and
dancing to Konkani songs did make me nostalgic about Goa. I think we, as Goan
performing artists, have the platform to carry our Goan culture through our
music forward and to share it with different culture all across the world,” she
explains.
She is working on a very interesting project, ‘Chedva Tu Vazoi’
with Pio Agnelo Fernandes which will be released on her YouTube channel on
August 27. “The song is to promote women brass instrument players. Pio was so
kind to write the song on me, being a woman trumpet from Goa. And we hope that
it can inspire more women brass players from Goa,” adds Pereira.
No
matter where the beats play, when there is a Goan voice to it and Konkani rap
or rhymes, there will be thousands of Goans ready to listen to the performers.