The Catholic priest who sings Indian classical music!

Fr Glen D’Silva (45) is one, unique, Roman Catholic priest. A Pilar father, the affable priest is a trained Indian classical singer, who has the ability to sing Biblical hymns in Indian classical style.

Arguably, Fr Glen is the only Catholic priest in Goa who prefers to use the medium of Indian classical music instead of the more accepted Western classical style to present the hymns from the Bible.

Fr Glen, who grew up in the village of Carmona in South Goa, is musically gifted. He began playing the violin in grade eight and soon became adapted with the guitar and the keyboards. “I used to coach my friends to sing hymns from the Bible,” Fr Glen recalled.

However, it was only at the Pilar seminary that he was introduced to Indian classical music. After some seniors suggested that he pursue Indian music formally, Fr Glen completed MA in Indian classical music from the Nagpur University. “I was so happy with my studies that I wanted to complete my PhD in the subject. However, I was called back to Goa to pursue my pastoral duties,” Fr Glen said.

Taking up his pastoral duties as parish priest of the busy Colva church, Fr Glen said he never got time to pursue his PhD dream. However, more opportunities came his way, when he was appointed the head of the musical school at Pilar for a six-year term. “The Pilar music school posting was a huge blessing. I was also appointed to the Kala Academy committee. It is here that one of the members, Shrikant Bhat, suggested that I sing the hymns from the Kristapurana (the epic poem on the life of Jesus Christ written in a mix of Marathi and Konkani by medieval Catholic priest Thomas Stephens adopting the literary form of the Hindu puranas) in Indian classical style. I had never heard of the Kristapurana until then and began research in right earnest,” Fr Glen said.

Fr Nelson Falcao’s English book on the Kristapurana came in handy. Fr Glen also fine-tuned his Indian classical music skills from a local guru, Ramesh Sukthankar and then decided to sing the hymns in khayal style.

Today, Fr Glen’s musical album, ‘O Namo’ available across Goa has 25 verses from the Kristapurana and has been received well by music lovers.

Speaking about the Kristapurana, Fr Glen said that the book written by Fr Thomas Stephens was inspired by folk singers or purankars. These purankars wandered from place to place singing spiritual songs. “This is why I decided to compose the Kristapurana verses in khayal style, as it will appeal to more people,” Fr Glen said.

It is obvious that the singing priest is completely passionate about Indian classical music. He is of the opinion that more and more younger musicians must learn Indian classical music. “If more Indians had learnt Indian classical music, India would have made a bigger name in the world of music. We must stay close to our roots,” Fr Glen said.

Singing praises for the guru-shishya parampara style prevalent in Indian classical music, Fr Glen said, “There is so much one learns from one’s guru and also from the system of daily riyaaz (daily practice).”

Referring to a story from Indian mythology, which according to Fr Glen, praises the donkey for being a good musician, singer and dancer, Fr Glen said, “The donkey has been respected because of its deep humility, patience and ability to work hard. Similarly, to be a good Indian classical musician, one needs to be patient and deep-rooted with an ability to sacrifice.”

As a practising musician, Fr Glen’s take on music is interesting. “Music cannot just be restricted to singing-dancing and entertainment. Music is about awakening your inner self. Music is God’s gift to us from the angels. We must be able to surrender completely to it,” he said.

However, Fr Glen rues the fact that he has not been able to promote Indian classical music inside the church. “The Catholic community in Goa is accustomed to western classical music and is not comfortable listening to Indian classical music. We have created walls around us. However, if we have to become strong spiritually, we must adapt to Indian music,” Fr Glen said.

Not a person to be easily discouraged, Fr Glen has accepted invitations from local Ganesh mandals to sing Biblical hymns in Indian classical style during the annual Ganeshotsav.

Ever the innovator, Fr Glen, who is parish priest of the Vaddem church in Sanguem taluka has two more music albums lined up. While one album has Biblical hymns sung in English, the other has the hymns sung in Konkani, using the khayal style. If that is not all, he has even collaborated with Bharat Natyam dancers to present his work.

Fr Glen admits that music has made him humble and grounded. “There is no problem that music cannot solve. Just sing and all your worries simply dissolve!”