On August 20, the 30th
anniversary of the acceptance of the Konkani language in the Eighth Schedule of
the Constitution of India, Saligao Institute (SI), will mark the event with its
first pay-what-you-wish music concert of Konkani songs. The musicians’
collaboration with the Saligão Institute got an impetus from its market
activities. Musicians, hit by the pandemic in recent years, were delighted to
perform against the backdrop of the classy village market.
Goan
musicians like Paul (Pauloo) Pereira, whose family has links with Malta and
Calcutta, and has connections with the Salcete village of Assolna; Linda
Braganza Diniz, the former keyboardist of the noted band Ecstacy; one-man
entertainer and band player Agnelo Fernandes; and even ten-year-old Leandra,
among others, performed at the SI market. Delighted audiences were generous
when the hat went around, and the collection went to the musicians.
“Part of the agenda now
is to promote local music and musicians, in a way that creates a win-win
situation,” says architect Dean D’Cruz, who has been leading an initiative to
revitalise the 93-year-old village institution. The Saligão Institute was built
in 1929, with funding from expatriate villagers based in East Africa and
Hyderabad. It has been active over the years, though it went through several
low periods.
Just before 2019, the SI
was facing a rather tough phase. “In the 2019 elections, it was tough to get
people to contest the elections for the next committee, and the institute was
seen as a failing institution. Some volunteers came forward and have been
trying various strategies to revitalise the institution. Some of these have
succeeded beyond our wildest expectations,” says D’Cruz.
The musicians’
initiative has been on the cards for some time now. Gulf-returned musician
Agnelo Fernandes, known for his hard work and good music, has come up with the
idea of hosting a ‘Konkani Kantaram Kollea‘gavant’. This is a reference to the
villager’s moniker, Saligaokars are called kolle (foxes).
Agnelo Fernandes came up with the idea saying, “I wouldn’t mind
doing a Konkani-only musical show, so people are treated to songs by the greats
like Alfred Rose, M Boyer, Jacint Vaz, Joe Rose, Young Chico, Mahendra Kapoor,
Mohd Rafi, Amit Kumar, Bhupinder Singh, Henry DSouza, and Wilfy Rebimbus among
others.”
The SI has also been trying to rope in young music enthusiasts
from the village to build their skills, have shows locally and boost their
confidence. Dean and members of his committee point to their successes with a
range of events — from a festival of plants, to a successful exhibition of
books, workshops on the ghumot, talks on teaching mathematics and the experiences
of Karachi Goan expats returning home in the 1960s, and charming mando-related
events. “Such initiatives could help Goa revive and rebuild many other existing
clubs and institutes, which are facing a shortage of activity and liveliness,”
said D’Cruz.
The
event, scheduled for Saturday, August 20 begins at 7 pm. The SI recently
celebrated its 93rd anniversary on August 7.
