Historic Konkani Sangeet Sammelan begins...
08 February 2002 23:30 IST Unlike any Sammelan held in the past, the first historic All India Konkani Sangeet Sammelan will also be remembered for its unique inaugural session, designed by the young brigade of music lovers.
To be opened at the hands of Gansamradni Padmavibhushan Kishori Amonkar at 4 pm on 9 February in Margao, chief minister Manohar Parrikar and deputy chief minister Ravi Naik will also grace the occasion.
Keeping the nature of the inaugural ceremony a top secret, programme co-ordinator Saish Palondikar informs that it will be a musical extravaganza, moulded with traditional culture of Goa, which was lost in the books of history.
The Ravindra Bhavan grounds at the outskirts of Margao, named after Gantapaswini Padmavibhushan Mogubai Kurdikar, will come alive with the playing of Shantilal’s Chowghudo – played in temples – while Kishoritai will unveil the bust of Mogubai, prepared by young artist Valentino.
There is no welcome song as usual, but veteran violinist like Emiliano D’Cruz and Fr. Peter Cardoz, heading the Pilar Music School, is involved in the innovativeness of the young enthusiasts. To add traditional flavour to it will be Bandora’s Eknath Naik with the Mallem at the main stage – to be called Chris Perry Machi – remembering the musical maestro who left the world just two weeks ago.
Chaired by Goa’s young industrialist Srinivas Dempo with power minister Digambar Kamat and M S Prabhu as his deputies, the Sammelan would then take off. Series of musical programmes will be then held simultaneously in the main pandal – named after Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki – and the angan – named after tiatrists Minguel Rod and Alexin de Candolim.
It would begin with Mangalorian Golden Konkani songs, which have been preserved since pre-inquisition period by the Goan Christians who ran away to Mangalore in Karnataka during Portuguese regime.
Goenche Nanv Vhodd Korun – an Indian semi-classical musical programme, would follow it by great Goan singers Pt. Prabhakar Karekar, Pt. Ajit Kadkade and Usha Amonkar. The ethnic Musall Nach of Chandor and Zagor of Cansaulim will also be an attraction in the Angan.
The Sunday morning would begin with Intruz of Borda’s Piedade and group, as it’s Carnival time in Goa. To add colours to it, will follow an open interview of its kind of Kishori Amonkar by Konkani scholar Adv Uday Bhembre at 10 am.
Then comes the most important slot of the festival - Lok Naad – a presentation of real original folk songs and dances, some of which are yet to be exposed to the world. Gudduleam Poddam of Canacona, a recital form which begins in the evening and ends next day morning without using a single instrument.
It also includes yet another attraction – the Siddi dance of Konkanis of African origin from Yellapur, Karnataka, besides Ghumat Aarti from Chodan, Ghumatavelim Podam from Mashem in Canacona, Mando and Dulpodam from Quepem, Ranmale and Chepai from Sattari, Goff from Poinguinim in Canacona and Socarath and Chendu Falli from Sattari.
While young budding singers will also be given an opportunity in the post-noon session in Soor Mhonve Mhonve, violinist Emiliano D’Cruz will present Trio form, Eknath Naik with Ghumat Aarti and Pagi Somajacho Dhalo in the angan.
Then comes Goa’s most popular form – canataram – to be presented by veterans like M Boyer, Rita Rose, Wilmix and many others, from 5 to 7.30 pm.
The highlight of the Sammelan however would be Paizonnam ani Mandolinam – a programme by popular stars – with Philip Fortes and Lulu paying tribute to Chris Perry, Mangalore’s famous Wilfy Remimbus and then…. Remo!
The creative English pop singer will present Konkani songs – this time not with his band but the traditional percussion instruments – a unique programme in itself.
While the musical extravaganza will go on, the organisers have created an atmosphere of fest or zatra with khajekar and bhojekar, so that music lovers don’t find themselves in any artificial atmosphere.
To add glitter to it, there is will be an exhibition – the hall named after music scholar Mikhail Martins – of traditional musical instruments as well as a special exhibition of traditional equipment by Gopinath Gawas from Keri, Sattari.
The stalls of musical cassettes, of course, will be a memento of sorts to be taken back with the golden memories of the two-day musical festival, a historic occasion for every Niz Goenkar, wherever he/she may be…
