‘Ata Kitem Korpache, Goem Kabar re Amche,
Konnache gomteak dorpache, Maar teka, fodd teka,
dor teka, soddi naka,’ is the chorus from the catchy new
song, ‘Mai Ge Dhobitalao’ that is making rounds on
Facebook and Whatsapp. One person who knows he
has made a difference by producing the song is Andrew
Ferrao from Verna. “After uploading the song, it went
viral in less than 24 hours on Facebook and Whatsapp. I
hope this works in not only being a well received song
but a stronger message to make a difference for Goa,”
says Andrew.
‘Mai Ge Dhobitalao’ is a single with a message
about Goa’s current state of affairs. “It is about Goa,
a piece of land like any other part of the world but
what draws everyone here is cultural ethos of the
Goan people. Even if harmony in the communities is
strong yet youth are getting wayward and tend to get
instigated at the drop of the hat. This is the result of
over indulgence by parents as the chorus of the song
ends with ‘Mar teka, fodd teka..’ which is the voice of the
youth in Goa today. In the song, we are not lusting for
blood rather we are pointing to the crime, fights and
issues like influx of migration, land being sold by Goans
rather than keeping it in the family and the high number
of bidders from other states. Through the song we
hope that Goans not only save Goa but also protect the
culture of the state,” explains Andrew.
The rock song was conceptualised by Andrew
Ferrao in Mumbai who also did the music composing,
and lending his vocals and the lyrics is Roque Lazarus.
Steve Carvalho (Mumbai) is the video director and the
song was mixed and mastered by Umar Shaikh at Kabir
Studio (Mumbai). Nixon Soares played the guitars,
Crosby Fernandes (Mumbai) on bass and Prathamesh
Chari on drums. With everything about Goa, why was
the song titled, ‘Mai Ge Dhobitalao’? “In Mumbai, Mai Ge
Dhobitalao is an expression like Maiche kazar and it is
used a lot by Goans living in Mumbai,” adds Andrew.
Andrew Ferrao has created a niche for himself as a
successful performer, composer and producer in his 23
year-old music career. One of the most distinguished
keyboard players in the circuit, he is known for
his unique playing style. His wide array of musical
involvement spans from performing with Rabbi Shergill,
Neeraj Shridhar (Bombay Vikings), Pritam , Natalie Di
Luccio (Canadian Opera Soprano), Leslie Lewis, Vasuda
Sharma, Hamsika Iyer, Shruti Pathak, and collaborating
with the Youtubers based in Mumbai, composing music
for jingles, music albums and documentaries.
The music video was shot over two days at Andrew’s
house terrace at Verna by using minimum lights. The
scenes of the children were shot at places like the
Margao wholesale fish market, Margao vegetable
market, Holy Spirit Church, Grace Church Margao,
Colva beach, Quepem mining area, slums at Birla,
Verna industrial area, Margao Old Municipal Building
and the Rivona hill cutting site. Andrew was part of the
crew when they were scouting for locations and he was
disappointed with the way Goa was getting destroyed.
“Goa is in need of good leaders and Goans are feeling
let down by the system. People think they should join
politics to make money but what future do they see for
their children? I come to Goa especially to breathe in
fresh air because the cities are getting polluted. I hope
Goa doesn’t turn out to be the same,” says Andrew.
This was the first time that Andrew sang for a song
and from being behind the recording booth, he faced
the microphone, “Usually I record people singing
songs. This time, I sang and recorded the song in one
take. Even I was surprised as most singers take 5 to 10
to 15 takes for one song. Maybe I had too much anger
which was finally vented out through the song,” laughs
Andrew.
He also received feedback from Goans in Goa and
abroad who want to help Andrew with his next single.
“I have already started working on the next song and I
received many calls from Goans who want to help me
creatively by lending their Goan houses for shooting my
songs,” concludes Andrew about the success of ‘Mai Ge
Dhobitalao’.
