With acoustics now taking centre stage in musical performances, traditional instruments that our ancestors played have taken a backseat at occasions like weddings and village feasts. But a group in Agasaim village continues performing with traditional instruments like the ‘ghumott’, ‘madhayem’, ‘kansaim’ and ‘tau” and they are in demand across the State.
Late Lawrence Carlit Fernandes’ father, Santan from Bandode, Ponda, settled in Agasaim and carried out the tradition of playing the old instruments for festive occasions with a couple of men from the village. Thereafter, Lawrence took over and carried forward the ancestral legacy with live performances in various wards, followed by presentations in the neighboring villages, and now his son Joao does it.
“For the baptismal ceremony of all his eight children – six sons and two daughters – my father Lawrence, who was known as Santan Bandodkar, performed with the traditional instruments and it was celebration through the night,” says Joao Fernandes. “Earlier, it was borrowing or hiring of instruments from those who possessed them. Later my father with the help of his accomplices purchased all the required instruments.
Initially, around 18 ‘ghumotts’, 10 ‘madhayem’, two ‘kansaim’ and one ‘tau’ existed with the 6-7 member group. Today, only a handful of the instruments are on display at Joao’s residence in the kitchen and before any presentation, the instruments are kept ready with the tedious task of tuning them by the fireside or with the help of ‘bond’.
“Madhaim is the only instrument which is tuned with the help of ‘bond’, which is actually prepared from one of the bakery products, ‘kanknam’,” informs Peter Fernandes from Padribhat, and an expert in its preparation and leader of the group. He says he garnered the expertise from Santan Bandodkar and later improvised on it.
“The usage of ‘bond’ to madhaim helps in obtaining richness, clarity and sharpness of the instrument,” reveals Peter, “and when this rare instrument is played for occasions, the sound can be heard from distant miles. Today the sound system is used only for the singing in order to avoid straining the voice as the programme sometimes stretches for over four hours. But once tuned with the required materials, those traditional instruments do not require any sound system, unlike the acoustics,” he adds.
Peter along with his members, who include Joao, Seby and Charles Fernandes, Philip and John Cortez, has been moving to different places and for various occasions as a single team. The 6-7 member group has mostly performed at a ‘ros’, a ritual carried out before marriage, both at the bride and bridegroom’s place, besides birthdays and village feasts.
“With live performances, the troupe has covered entire Goa, except Canacona,” says Avelino Gracias from Dexibhat, who has been part of the group for over 40 years. “Usually the performance starts at 9 and stretches till 11 pm. It could exceed as per the demand of the guests,” he adds.
Joan adds, “When my father formed the group, the members would come together every Sunday evening around 7 pm and continue playing and singing till midnight. And those nostalgic moments were cherished by serving of liquor to the members during the performances. As my father was a toddy tapper as well, the need to purchase liquor from the market was not there. It was easily available at home.”
“When the group was formed, rendition of oldies became quite popular among the village folk,” says Avelino and adds, “The demand to perform outside the village increased. Invitations continued pouring in for festive occasions.”
Songs rendered for various occasions include oldies aired on Air India Radio or popular songs of tiatrists or songs which accompany or suit best on the ghumott. “Before the start of the show, religious songs are rendered by the troupe. But we avoid or refrain from vulgarity in renditions. Most of the songs are selected as per the occasion. Today, due to time restrictions, our troupe tries to wind up by 11.30 pm,” Peter says.
Performances with traditional instruments are still in demand, especially for festive occasions like Sao Joao and others. The group leader is equally confident that it will continue for posterity as many youth are showing interest in learning the age-old instrument and taking it over from the seniors.
