A creative mind with the desire to strengthen his Goan roots through his original music, Mumbai’s
Lester Cardoz, who goes by his stage name Kav-E (a play on the word that
translates to ‘poet’) and is also known as ‘Bomoi cho Goenkar’, first caught
the attention of Konkani-music lovers worldwide with his rap song, ‘Bebdo’,
which had a unique video style and quirky lyrics.
While that song intentionally took the
same name as Lorna’s famous song, ‘Bebdo’, which is still popular today, it
soon became an instant hit in Goa and among the Goan diaspora around the world.
It especially appealed to the younger generation.
Taking his influences from Goan music and
‘90s Indie Pop music, the song had verses and the chorus in Konkani, with a bit
of Hindi. It explored the experience of a how the first heart break can change
one’s outlook and how it is difficult to get over that.
Given that a number of artistes have
produced several records that revolve around a broken heart, Lester took it up
as a challenge to find a new way to connect with his audience.
Lester is now out with a new Konkani rap
song that effectively captures the emotions a family goes through when some
members have to work abroad to earn a living.
Titled ‘Don Beer aah che glass (Therapy remix)’, the song is
dedicated to his father who used to work abroad when Lester was younger; it is
meant for all those who are forced to stay away from their family in order to
earn a living. “We all have some hurt in our lives, which we hold in our hearts
and never speak off. This then becomes a burden to carry,” says Lester, while expressing
the thought-process behind the song.
“The song was written late one night, when I was missing my
father a lot. He worked abroad all through my childhood and I realised how much
we had lost due to that distance; how we had grown apart. People sacrifice so
much to provide for their families, but is it worth it? It is that thought that
prompted me to pen down this song,” says Lester.
His audience in Goa and the Goan diaspora worldwide have been
looking forward to Lester’s new Konkani song as his previous Konkani song had
made an indelible mark on them.
Lester’s personal favourites are ‘Tuzho Mog’, ‘Santosh Bogta’
and ‘Caliz Boong Baang Zaata’, as they were often played at functions he
attended as a youngster. That’s where his love for Konkani music began and,
over time, he felt that there was space for new and original music,
irrespective of the genre. “My music preferences lean towards hip hop and rap
music. But I do listen to all genres that come my way. This includes Konkani
music. As an artiste, my thought process of making music is English, as that is
something I am comfortable with. But I choose to do that in Konkani,” Lester
says, adding that he saw this as an opportunity to reconnect with his roots.
Lester’s parents actually hail from Margao and while he has
family in Goa, he says that he has connected to the land of beaches through the
music of the generations, which speaks about Goa. “This was all because of the
music of legends like Lorna, Alfred Rose, Chris Perry, etc,” he says. Recalling
how the legends of Goa helped build the music industry of India, Lester feels
that musicians from Goa should do more to live up to the legacy of the older
generations.
The movie ‘Nachom-ia Kumpasar’, directed by Bardoy Barreto, also
left a lasting impression on the Santa Cruz,Mumbai resident. Before he watched
the movie, Lester had already spent a year listening to Goan music and looking
at ways to try and fuse his love for hip hop and contribute to Goan music, by
giving a different touch. “With ‘Nachom-ia Kumpasar’, I learned so much about
the contributions of Goan musicians like Chic Choklate. It invoked a sense of
pride in me about my culture and the music of my land. They were based in
Bombay as well. I had enough motivation to go ahead with my journey,” he says.
For someone who is more familiar with the underground scene,
Lester did not anticipate the kind of reaction he received to his song ‘Bebdo’.
At the time of creating it, Lester said he was not worried about how the
audience would respond. “We love and take pride in our language and culture, so
I made the song in Konkani, to give my people something to be proud of and
hoped they would connect with the song. I am not sure where this journey will
take me but I will continue to create songs like this,” he adds.
Stating
that he is glad that the people of Goa have accepted his music, Lester hopes
this will motivate others in Goa to compose original music.
