Creative minds don’t rest and with the lockdown, they
are still putting their best energies to work. Instead of letting
a physical lockdown stop their work, people in Goa are
using this time to get creative in their own way.
Joywin Fernandes is a Konkani film director and also
shoots weddings for the season. He says, “I am only worried
for people and families those who are affected by this
disease. As for me, I always spent quality time home with
my family after every wedding season or after completing
a film. So home lockdown is not a new thing for me. I just
hope everything turns out the way it was and hope people
come to know the best thing about spending quality time
with family members.”
Music producer Colin D’Cruz has been taking jazz in
Goa to newer heights. He recently launched the Jazz Goa
app for both IOS and Android devices and has helped
artists record both audio and video free of cost at the Jazz
Goa’s studio at Sangolda. Colin says, “I’ve always wanted to
practice more than I play. The lockdown has canceled most
of my bookings right up to March 2021. I have lots of time
for me to take it to the next level now. My practice routine
sometimes lead to a new composition, the latest being a
Brazilian samba titled ‘Rio de Goa’.”
Fabian Gonsalves from Calangute is a well-known
illustrator whose first board game was released last year in
collaboration with Dicetoylabs- Bangalore titled ‘Chariots
of Chandragupta’. He also did a ten-day illustrative stint
with ‘The Peacock’ newspaper at IFFI 2019. He says, “Since
I freelance, I have a lot of work to do otherwise too. Just
that its more peaceful being in Calangute now even as I
am doing my normal work, ongoing projects online. I work
from home otherwise too. It’s a pleasant feeling now with
the crowds disappeared.”
Sawani Shetye is a Porvorim based archaeologist with
an MA in Archaeology and Ancient Indian History and
culture and has been conducting archaeologist led trails.
She started her brand Bhoomij Heritage Consultancy.
Under lockdown, she now feels she has gained a different
perspective. “I have started redoing things I had been
doing but got a break like reading, daily house chores, etc.
But I am feeling more content now. I feel my wants have
lowered. I am blessed that I at least have a house, a separate
room for myself with access to basic food. I am kind of
looking at life in a little different perspective than before
and want to reorganize it slowly to live every moment. I am
planning to relaunch Bhoomij as a learning platform about
ancient India for non-commercial activities,” says Sawani.
Carlos Gonsalves has been the musical soul of FC Goa
cheering the team through every match. On Sunday, he
let the percussionist in him, say a huge thank you to the
medical staff by performing in his balcony at 5 pm. A man
who has traveled half his life is not used to a lockdown. I am
practicing my music but this lockdown has also given me
time to just pray for our sins and ask forgiveness. I just beat
the drums more and more to add positivity in our lives,”
says Carlos.
So this is what Goans are telling the Coronavirus, ‘Hey
virus, you can never take away our patience and creativity’
