Christmas
is a time to spread joy, love and smiles! There are many ways by which Goans celebrate the
season to be jolly, some take pains to decorate their homes, some spend their
evenings singing Christmas carols in the neighbourhood, some take up charitable
works and so forth. This same Christmas fervour instilled an innovative idea in
a group of youngsters who wanted to do something different, something special,
not only for their friends and family but for everyone.
This idea gave birth to the musical group ‘Ode To Jesus’. The
group is a blend of anonymous youngsters from all over Goa who want to spread
the joy, love and smiles to the people they meet.
On Tuesday December 19, 2017, the group of 35 youngsters
executed their plan – an impromptu flash mob at various places across North Goa
such as Dona Paula Jetty, Miramar Circle, Caculo Mall Panjim, Mall de Goa,
Porvorim and various other public places. The flash mob was something different
as the group used their melodious voices in harmony with the violins, guitars
and the beat box to spread love and mark the Christmas season. It was the
manner in which they all got together amidst the unsuspecting crowd that got
the members of the public to stop in their tracks, and gather around to watch
the show. Children in particular were excited and danced and sang along to the
tunes.
The performance began with the musicians presenting an
instrumental version of ‘Christmas Canon’ as the rest of the group blended in
the crowd. They then began joining the musicians, one vocal group at a time. It
took the audience by surprise, when some vocal groups began singing from the
floors above, while others sang as they descended the escalators. The crowds
were entertained and the spirit of Christmas was awakened by the tunes of
‘Christmas Canon’, ‘Calypso Noel’, ‘Gloria’ , ‘That’s Christmas to Me’, ‘Deck
the Halls’ and ‘Feliz Navidad’ as well as some of their own compositions.
Ode to Jesus not only entertained the crowd but also urged the
people to spread joy, love and smiles this Christmas season, especially with
those who need it. “This is our way of being the harbingers of the love that
Baby Jesus poured on this world. We began a chain reaction of smiles,” said an
enthusiastic member of the troupe.
“This is the first time I’ve witnessed a Christmassy flash mob.
It was nice to see young boys and girls coming together from all over Goa for
one cause, to spread joy and love with the people. It was an unusual and
unexpected performance in the middle of nowhere, expecting nothing in return.
The group not only managed to create a Christmassy atmosphere but also brought
a smile on our faces and made us sing and hum with them as they sang the
carols,” said Carol Mascarenhas, who was present at Caculo Mall, Panjim.
The troupe members said they were happy that they had left the
audience with positive vibes and that feeling that Christmas is around the
corner.
The group will now perform in the south, in Margao, Benaulim,
Colva and other places in this week.
Ode
to Jesus kick-started this movement last December on the same day, December 19,
and following the overwhelming response they received, they decided to make it
a week-long campaign this year. The group members pointed out that when they
began this, the idea was to help spread that Christmas spirit and with the way
it has been growing, with people joining in, they want it to be a platform for
everyone across Goa, be it musicians or anyone who wants to participate.
