Originally from Shiroda but calling Raia home since the last four years, Natasha Noronha is the granddaughter of Sebastian Noronha, a musician who served as a mestri in the village of Shiroda. The youngest of three and the only daughter, she had the opportunity of learning solfagio and violin along with her brother, Hemlin, under the able guidance of Agusto de Panchwadi in 2004.
Since Agusto de Panchwadi was in close contact with a brass band, he taught Natasha the solfagio and violin while her brother was drawn towards the nuances of alto saxophone. Taking note of her keen interest in learning and mastering music, mestri Agusto told Natasha’s father, Thomas, to introduce her to the saxophone. “As my dad was a music lover,” she informs, “he instantly agreed.”
After few months of rigorous training with the saxophone, Agusto de Panchwadi welcomed Natasha and Hemlin to perform in the brass band for various church and chapel feasts in Sanguem. “The performances at village and chapel feasts, especially for ‘Alvorado’ in various villages like Tilamol, Borim, Panchwadi, Quepem, Canacona, Sanvordem and Sanguem served as effective training sessions and helped us garner confidence,” she adds.
Mastering the art of playing the saxophone, the all girls band ‘The Rising Stars’ came into existence in December 2006, with the entire team from Shiroda. “It was Anthony Silveira’s initiative that brought the girls together to showcase their talent in music,” Natasha reveals. The Rising Stars forged ahead with performances for weddings, fêtes and parties for almost six years, until their last performance in 2012.
A software engineer by profession, Natasha’s entry into tiatrs came about when Agnelo de Borim decided to stage his tiatr ‘Diaz’ for Kala Academy’s annual tiatr competition in 2011; she was roped in as a musician on stage, rendering musical pieces on the violin and saxophone. She was very much part of the cast, sans dialogues but with four entries on stage.
After the tiatr won the first prize for the competition, the following year, when Agnelo de Borim staged his tiatr ‘Mar Uddi.Com’, Natasha was offered the opportunity to sing in it. This was followed by a saxophone performance in the tiatr ‘Dovornem’ and an acting role in ‘Poltoddcho Saib’. During the exposition of the relics of St Francis Xavier in 2014, Natasha also had the opportunity to act in Fr Nevil Gracias’s tiatr ‘Dhorm Porgottnar Za’.
When Wilma Pacheco decided to stage her ladies show ‘Atam Borem Chintat’ in 2013, Natasha was invited to perform with the brass band, which was also an all woman band. “Sir Piety came along to assist with the music and his guidance was of great help,” she acknowledges.
When musician Piety staged his tiatr ‘Mogan Farik Korat’ at Tiatr Academy of Goa’s Children’s Tiatr Festival, Natasha was part of the band. She was later roped in as a musician by comedian Dominic in several of his tiatrs, which included ‘Bhogos Mhaka’, ‘Ami Sogllim Ek’ and ‘Mafi Magtam’. She has also served as a substitute in tiatrs staged by C D’Silva and Salvador Afonso.
During the Lenten shows, when Cruz Pinto staged his tiatr ‘Peleachea Vostuchi Axea Korum Naie’ in 2016, Natasha was part of the band and she continues with his latest show ‘Xik Aikpak, Aik Xikpak’. “Audience appreciation, besides ample support from the directors, cast and members of the band has helped me to continue with successful performances,” she adds.
Initially, Natasha worked as a software engineer for a private firm in Panjim for almost two and a half years. Relating how things were then, she says: “I would finish work at 6:30 pm but tiatrs in the south would commence at 7:30 pm. In order to avoid delay after work, I would skip my lunch break and leave the workplace early to be on time for the show.”
Today, Natasha runs her IT business from home, thus having flexible work hours that permit her to commit to her passion in equal measure. “There’s more satisfaction in acting as the love for the stage automatically draws you there,” she admits.
For those women desiring to get into the music field, Natasha says, “As a tiatr musician, you need to have the passion to do it. Many around you will have ten reasons to pull you back and you will also have many a late night show and there could be side effects, health-wise, but if you have the desire and drive, you should be willing to plunge into this world, passionately and proudly. Family support is also very important.”
As a saxophonist, Natasha is grateful to God for this rare gift. She is also grateful to her father and family for their continuous support and encouragement. She cannot forget her tutor, Agusto de Panchwadi, who thought of introducing her in the brass band as a saxophonist. She prays that her ailing mentor may regain his health and come back into the music field. A word of gratitude follows for Agnelo de Borim, Avinash Chari for their contribution to her professional life. “Last but not the least, thanks to Sir Piety for shaping me musically and tiatr directors, producers and fellow musicians,” she signs off.
