This year marks the birth centenary of Amália Rodrigues, the Queen of Fado, and the whole Fado World is commemorating this milestone!! It also happens to be 200 years since the birth of yet another important figure in the history of the Fado, Maria Severa. Fadista Sonia Shirsat pays her humble tribute to these Ladies of the Fado, through a video from the other side of the world, Goa-India. The visuals are directed towards Amália, and the Fado chosen is from the movie, A Severa released in 1931, O Novo Fado da Severa. Elements in the video also show the combination of the Fado culture along with inputs from Indian culture such as details in jewelry, outfits, lamps, etc.
Even the music is partly recorded in Portugal (Portuguese guitar, Viola de Fado and Acoustic base) and partly in Goa ( Bansuri).
Sonia Shirsat has been working at popularising the Fado in India as well as in Asia, through Classes of Fado de Goa, Workshops and Concerts, and has performed the Fado for 17 years.
Sonia Shirsat was conferred the National Award, Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, by the esteemed institution of Sangeet Natak Academy, Govt of India, New Delhi, for her contribution in the Folk music of Goa, which included Fado, Mando, Dekhni, and Dulpod.
She has performed in 15 languages in 19 countries over the world. Sonia Shirsat has performed in Portugal various times, some being, Museu do Oriente – Lisbon, Casa da Musica – Porto, Teatro Tivoli – Lisbon, Pateo de Galé – Lisbon, etc.
She has worked and performed with Mestre António Chainho, Maria Ana Bobone, Katia Guerreiro, Cuca Roseta, Pedro Moutinho, etc. Sonia Shirsat has sung in “Lisgoa”, the Album of Mestre António Chainho and has released 2 Fado Albums on her own in Goa, called Saudades de Fado I & II.
