On Saturday evening, strains of ‘Ghe ghe ghe ghe re, ghe re Sahiba’ and other Konkani melodies will be heard at the ‘Musical Fiesta Nite 2017’. The event, a Konkani music evening, has been organised by the Goa Outreach Association that appropriately abbreviates to G.O.A.
The legendary Lorna Cordeiro will sing traditional tunes, and Allan Vaz and Oluv Rodriguez will render contemporary songs. Younger singers Shunaina Baptista and Ancy Gonsalves will add to the magic, and veteran Rita Rose, wife of Alfred Rose, will make a guest appearance.
The event promises to be about more than just music. A special dance floor has been created. Tobby Fernandes and his group will choreograph the event, which will be compered by Engelbert Rose.
Sebastian A. Sequeira, president of G.O.A, says, “The association was formed 55 years ago to spread Goan culture in Mumbai. And music is one part of what we what do to promote it. Over the past few years, we have also been involved in medical camps, charity, education and employment providing activities.”
Known as the Nightingale of Goa, Cordeiro will be the star attraction. She gained a reputation as one of the top Konkani singers in the 1970s. Most of her tunes were composed and arranged by the great Chris Perry, and feature saxophone, trumpet, clarinet and trombone. Some of her hits are ‘Bebdo’, ‘Tuzo Mog’, ‘Pisso’, ‘Red Rose’ and ‘Noxibak Rodta’, besides the duet ‘Maria’ with Mohammad Rafi. The film Nachom-ia Kumpasar is based on the music of Cordeiro and Perry. An added attraction at the evening will be Nachom-ia Kumpasar’s lead actress, Palomi Ghosh.
Vaz will play his new song ‘Lojeannakai’ and a modern version of the hit ‘Meera Meera’. He says, “There will be two bands. While Cordeiro will have her own band, which will stick to the traditional style, the other group will use modern instruments as many of the songs will have rock, pop and dance influences.”
The instruments featured will be keyboards, lead guitar, bass, drums, trumpet, saxophone, violin, clarinet and trombone. According to Sequeira, one of the main objectives of the show is to make young Mumbai audiences aware of Goan music.
With the event being held in a mall, one will miss the vindaloo, cashew feni and the beach, but the songs ‘Maria pitache’, ‘Mog mojoea kortolo’ and ‘Fottoun geleim’ will probably more than make up for that. And don’t be surprised if you see the character Jack Braganza from Raj Kapoor’s hit Bobby dancing in the crowd, with his own hip-flask.
Musical Fiesta Nite 2017 will take place at Phoenix Marketcity Kurla at 7 p.m. today. For passes, call Allan on 9820122474/Saby at 9892006128
