Of Quote and 'Fott'

And Mr Kamat has done it again. He has proved his 'fottkiro mog' for the aam admi. Well, the word aam admi has become so popular and entangled with his name that we don't need to put it into "quote marks" anymore!

And he does it again. He says something and then says he was misquoted. How many times have we heard that Mr Kamat? And you expect us to believe it one more time?

"I don't need your votes," he is claimed to have said. Well, you must also learn to read what he has not said. This is what I have heard from what he has not said: "I have the migrants with me. A whole load of them stacked up a hill close to my doorstep and another bunch of them who gladly visit at the time of elections, only to cast their votes!!!"

I have heard from many anti-SEZ activists about his insolence. He is claimed to have told a batch of them some years ago: "I have inherited this problem. What can I do?" There was someone else who complained to him about some irrational behaviour of a Director of a department attached to his ministry. He is reported to have said: "What can I do, I have inherited her/him." What an inheritance Mr Kamat!

What can be done about this quoting and misquoting? Is it a quote or a 'fott' the word for lie in our beloved Konkani. Well, I know for sure that while Salcete is parched for water, there are tankers from the PWD who visit the all important Hill in Margao with the elixir of life only to quench the thirst of a few who live to vote him to power. Many of his 'man Fridays' arrange this with much pomp while probably even their own families are thirsty. This my friends is the irony of the aam admi.

There is also the quote passed against women. What a way to be misquoted again. What is happening? I think the CM should have his speeches written out now. No chance he can survive with his impromptu stuff.

Arrogance can get to you when you are in power. Arrogance is showing nicely now. Time to pull up your socks Mr Kamat and remember that you are representing the people of Goa. It is necessary that you realize what you say and do before it is too late.

A Network of Musicians and Entertainers

Networking seems to be the key word that is propagated in the modern day. Linking up, sharing views, uniting for causes and even sharing in each other’s joy and fun is what is called for. This fact is reinforced by the success of various social networking sites in the virtual world.

This concept holds true in real life too. Networking is not just about the internet. There are so many social networking groups around, that ‘live’ networking takes place with greater enthusiasm. Almost every field of work has a group where they can network. The musicians and entertainers of Goa lacked such a group, until recently.

Every Association has an aim. “Goa Entertainment Association” (GEA) also has come to be with a clear and determined goal in mind. The Association will provide a forum for musicians, performers, Karaoke Disc Jockeys (KDJs), Disc Jockeys (DJs), Radio Jockeys (RJs), Compères and Music Writers to network. These are groups of people that are mostly involved in music and entertainment. Another very important goal of the Association is to promote, encourage and provide resources in the preservation of Goan music and culture. Goan culture is today an almost forgotten entity. Except for a few programmes here and there, like the Mandó Festivals, there are no avenues to showcase our culture. Besides other plans, GEA has also decided to help musicians who have retired from active performances in whatever way possible.

Music in Goa is a big time happening. It has been since the times of our forefathers. Today music adds value to tourism and is a major entertainment source. There is talent sprouting up on a daily basis. But the competition is so stiff, a good musician who is a rookie, does not usually get a chance to grow in the right direction. The Association is determined to put this right. Formation of the musical character of a musician is of prime importance. It is only then that his performance will build to a crescendo.

GEA has been formed with many plans in mind. But the first and foremost of those is to bring musicians and entertainers together on one platform in a strong bond of friendship. There have been umpteen attempts made in this direction, but none was successful for various reasons. This attempt has always had one goal, to see the light at the end of the tunnel. In fact the Association got moving on many counts in the first few days of its existence itself.

The ‘Sunday Brunch’ was an occasion that put the plan into action. Soul Soufflé, the delightful restaurant in Verna, came alive with music. GEA and the musicians decided that there would be a jam band on stage. Somehow, if the musicians on stage have never played together or have not even rehearsed together and yet make music together, the melody seems to come from the heart. There were no rehearsals, no coming together before that. On stage the musicians just call a song, call a chord and take off.

The starting line-up at the Brunch were musicians who have been on the scene for very long. Seby Fernandes (Seby and the Wings fame) was on lead guitar and vocals. Seby has come back to his beloved land Goa after spending 26 fruitful musical years in New Delhi. Andrew Ferrão, another Goan who makes his music in New Delhi, was on keyboard. Allan Moraes, the drummer who made it big in the jazz circuit in Mumbai and who is one of those who has also relocated to Goa, was on drums. The musically evergreen Brian Bones played the bass-lines. The music began with a bang and the enjoyment started right from the first note played.

This was meant to be a jam and so it was. Ignatius (Iggy) Rodrigues (Rhythm n Blues) then took control of the keyboard while Ashley Fernandes (Music Oasis) held forth with the lead guitar. There was also Felipe Neri Fortes (Rhythm n Blues) on bass guitar, Sergei Godinho (Pure Magic) on bass guitar, Agnelo (Pure Magic) on drums, Anton Braganza (Black Slades, Delhi) on bass guitar and Joe (A26) on drums. Emmanuel, the one-man band from South Goa sang a few songs. Erlic Almeida of Music Oasis lent his melodious voice to the occasion. There was also Nirmika Singh from Delhi who joined in on vocals. Three youngsters livened up the brunch even further. Krishna, Navin and Sheldon gave the rock dimension to the session. Francis Paul Menezes took a break from being a Karaoke DJ and revisited old days while he compèred the event.

GEA plans to have many a musical occasion for the people of Goa to enjoy. There is a plan to celebrate World Music Day on June 21 in a big way. GEA promises to dish out entertainment at its best, in the times to come.

Great Day for Goan Music and Entertainment

Hi All

Today, i reckon, is a great day for Goa's Entertainment scenario. We had planned to start an Association some time ago and many attempts failed.

Today, the Goa Entertainment Association is a Registered Body under the Societies Registration Act 1860 (Registration No 187/GOA/2010.

Indeed I feel happy that this has finally happened. We now need to take this forward and put this body to fruitful use.

As the President of the GEA, I would like to say that this is not a body that has been formed to protest or to organize agitations. This is a body that has come to being to be a representative body for the musicians and entertainers of Goa and also to be a channel to promote and encourage music and other kinds of entertainment.

What then is the aim of this body?

We have many aims and objectives. But the main one is to be a support system to musicians and entertainers. We would be looking at various ways to support them.

We are also going to be a great support to young musicians and we are surely going to look after the older musicians, especially those who have retired from active public performances. We will help and recognize their services in whatever way possible.

Our association is a very democratic one. We have to take the views of all the members in to consideration before we embark on any plan. I look to the members of the Managing Committee to support me on this.

The Managing Committee includes a group of great enthusiasts who really wish to do something for Goa's entertainment industry (give me the liberty to call it that because I think it has gathered those proportions).

Vice President (North): Cassius Fernandes from the band Alcatrazz. He is a very popular personality, not just as a musician but also as a human being among the music circles in the North. He was the unanimous choice for Vice President (North) at a meeting of entertainers we had in North Goa.

Vice President (South): This position is held by a personality who makes others sing and conducts proceedings at most of South Goa's popular venues. I remember that he is the first person who actually made me sing in public. Introducing to you Francis Paul Menezes or KDJ Francis Paul as he is known.

Secretary: Ashley Fernandes performs with the trio Music Oasis. He is very friendly and always has an idea up his sleeve. He is very organized and has made a promising start as Secretary to this nascent Association.

Joint Secretary: Orlando de Noronha is a very popular man around Panjim. He is an all round artiste, be it his music or his fine art. What I like about Orlando is his penchant for acoustic music and even going ahead and forming a band that plays plenty of acoustic music. Orlando is multi-talented and is a great exponent of the violin, mandolin and the Portuguese guitar. As a person, he is jovial and is clear about what he would like. The next time you would like an 'azulejo' put up somewhere at your residence, count on Orlando to do a great job. He performs with Trio Orlando and the band Impromptu

Treasurer: I have heard one song this man composed and it is really a hit. Probably the first Konkani song to go hi-tech with the mention of email in a love affair. 'Kedna' is the song I talk about and Lynx is the band he plays bass guitar for. Anthony Fernandes is a very jovial person and has a way with accounts.

Joint Treasurer: This young lad is North Goa's popular DJ. While he is on stage, he seems to have a pompous disposition but when you meet him as a person, he is a great character. He is good at his job and has a friendly attitude in his dealings, I have noticed. Ryan Pinto is indeed an asset to the Association.

Member: I don't think Allan Pinto needs too much of an introduction. He is one of the most sought after comperes and a very helpful personality. Allan is full of ideas and has knowledge about many a subject. The name of the Association came about after inputs from him and Cassius. He has given a bagful of ideas that we have implemented without a second thought. They were that good.

Member: Not many would know him as Brian Monteiro. I think everybody would know who I am talking about if I introduced him as Brian Bones! Brian has been in the music scene for over three and a half decades and has performed at almost every venue in Goa, be it as a bass player or as a one-man band. His vast experience of the industry will surely be a great asset to the Association.

We are determined to move ahead and do what is best for the musicians and entertainers. We have already taken the right step forward. The events planned by GEA are:

We will be having a press conference soon to introduce the Association to the people of Goa and maybe even India.

We will be organizing an All Konkani music evening on June 21, which happens to be World Music Day. Please look out for further details on my blog or on the newspapers in the days to come.

Yours in melody,
Colin

Oh Goa, thy Name is so misused!

Hi Again

I want to bring something to light today. Something that has really bothered me. Kept me thinking: Do copyright laws really exist?

Many will know that I am very confident that the copyright law can benefit a good number of people, especially music composers and writers like me. But lets leave all that for another day.

What surprises me is that the name of my homeland Goa has been misused and literally abused to the extent that makes me angry. Yet we can do nothing. Nobody can do anything. Goa as a name comes under the free zone I guess.

If you walk the streets of Mumbai... If you climb a railway footbridge in Mumbai... If you look at some of the staircases in offices and edifices around Mumbai... You are guaranteed to see one thing for sure. You will see a tiny sachet with Goa written all over it. What is worse, everyone stamps over it while they go about their daily hustle-bustle.

The first time I encountered this was very infuriatingly funny. I was standing alongside a panwalla at one of the stations in Mumbai. The experience was so 'devastating' I cant remember the place, but I do remember the incident! I suddenly heard a man come behind me and say to the panwalla: "Ek Goa de na" Well in Hindi it would mean "Give me one Goa". And another came by and said: "Teen Goa de na". The panwalla had now sold "Three Goas". And it went on... In the 15 minutes I was standing there the man had sold Goa at least 10 times. Well, I am talking about Goa in a sachet, also very popularly known as 'Goa Gutka'.

Being in love with Goa right from my birth, can you imagine what my feelings were at that point of time? Put yourself in my place, what would you feel? Many would feel indifferent, many would share my views, many would have no problems and would actually argue in favor of the sachet.

Wherever you stand, it is your personal opinion. But this really bothered me on two counts: One; the 'Gutka king' was using the name of my homeland for his commercial gains. By using the name Goa, he was making a quick buck. Everybody is in love with Goa and would like to feel they are in Goa. Even by chewing on some disgusting Gutka named after Goa, they would experience the bliss they would feel while in 'Goa'! Talk about the imagination running wild and the 'Gutkha King' making money on someone's wild uncontrolled imagination run!

Two; there was no way I could stop this blasphemy. This made me feel really frustrated and angry too. Can't the name of my beloved land be copyrighted? Well, this is a question I keep asking myself and I intend finding the answer to it very soon, hopefully that is.

And then again I noticed another blatant misuse of Goa more recently. My family loves watching the TV serial CID. Though I find most of the methods used there would put any policeman in trouble, as the serial openly portrays on the screen the slapping an 'accused' or barging into a house without any authority giving people the idea that it is legal . I don't really know if this can happen considering the strict human rights laws, et al.

But what perturbs me is something altogether different. Somehow or the other the scriptwriter for the serial has a fixation on Goa. Almost every 'criminal' who wants to escape the wrath of the CID manage to find their way to Goa. Why is this, I often wonder... Is it to promote Goa as a tourist destination?

Has this serial given an insight to many a criminal? I don't know if we found it surprising that two naxalites from Orissa were recently arrested in Goa where they had come to 'lie low' we are told. What is most ironic though, as in the case of the naxalites, all criminals trying to escape to Goa obviously to 'lie low' from the CID, in the TV serial, are always caught napping!!!

Well, we also know of rave parties and drug orgies organized along the beach-fronts, especially in the North of Goa. I don't know how far this is true, but I am told that Goa is South Asia's hub for the drug trade. In this case it is not only misuse of the name, but also misuse of our land as well. But is anyone listening??? At least not the people in power. "There are no drugs in Goa," they proclaim.

These are issues I have always found disturbing. Maybe it would be a good idea to express it in a place like this, a blog. I have expressed all this because it really troubles me and I feel frustrated because I can't do much about it all alone. Can we get more minds that think alike to think? I am throwing the forum open...

Mog Sodanch Asundi
Colin

High Time to get to Blogging

Hi Friends

I really don't understand why it took me this long to get into blogging. Being computer savvy since long I should have got into this earlier.

But then did we not hear about this cliche in school? "Better late than never!"

My views right now are limited to the work I do as a columnist. I cannot believe how quickly my columns have got popular.

But I still believe I am just a medium. I have that God-given talent and I must put it to use for the good of Goa. So when the Editor of Herald Mr Ashwin Tombat offered me the opportunity to write a column that I suggested could be named 'Music Mania', I took that opportunity with open arms. I was sure with the help of musicians and those involved in music, we could come together and give the musical genius of Goa a great fillip.

The writing has built up from there. Today, I spend almost 3 days in a week writing articles. These include 'Music Mania' and "Music Review' for Herald, 'Inspirations', a career column for Herald and 'People of Substance' a profile column for the weekly tabloid 'Goa Messenger'

Through this blog I would like to invite suggestions about whom I could feature on any of these columns. Be it a musician who would need to be given some credit or be it an inspirational personality who needs to be highlighted for the younger generation to get inspired.

You can send me the suggestions directly to my email id colin.coelho@gmail.com

Remember, if anyone has realeased an album that you would like reviewed, also please send them across to me. You can contact me on 9326121136 and I will let you know how you can get to me.

It is my ardent wish to do something for the music scenario in Goa. I do hope I can achieve some success in this.

Au Revoir,
Colin