A Lovely Konkani Song – album

A review by Olivinho Gomes
(Courtesy Goa Today)

Music and song runs naturally coursing enthusiastically in the Goan blood. That has been happening mostly in fulsome blossoming in the emotional language of the Goan heart that is incontestably Konkani, however much other languages attempt to usurp that place. As a matter of fact there is in the market a growing spate of such cassettes, compact discs and albums featuring songs and charming music by well-known composers and singers as well as upcoming artistes among boys and girls who are making their debut on this scene. Among the latter figures Jackson Dias, a talented yet maverick poet, composer and singer who had confined himself to this date to catering to the needs of rural circles, particularly in his native village of Santo Estevam, and he was not taken very seriously.

However, he appears to have graduated now from that rung of music makers and made a splash of sorts at a higher level in his first Konkani album entitled ILIANA that has recently been brought out by Bhenddekar Productions, with a symbolic bhenddo (ladyfinger) sprouting out of it on the cover. Iliana, whose profile occupies more than half the cover, and is probably the mother or the sister of the poet-composer, is the muse that prompts the poetry that oozes from his creativity. The lyrics that are appealing and catchy are penned by Jackson himself, with alluring music that captivates the senses provided by the boy next door from the same village that is Mukesh Ghantwal, who has done the voice recording, editing, mixing and production. While the producer of the album is Jackson Dias himself, he has a co-producer for it in Ms. Velany Gama.

After an introduction, the title song Iliana is sung in praise of the muse, the central focus of this album which draws its name from her, by Xavier Gomes, the youthful, handsome veteran’s marvellously-toned, taut and disciplined voice that bears melody lightly and has enthralled audiences on the Konkani stage for some decades now, in India and abroad. It is followed by the Roma Udentichem (Rome of the East) with its usual platitudes in praise of the land that is, however, fast losing its beauty and charm and consequently pearly appeal, sung tamely by Reniy Dias/BabyAnn, and sincere exhortations on Khoro Mog (True Love) by Chiara Gomes, who is dubbed as the nightingale of the collection, which seems to be too tall a claim to make, though she has risen to commendable heights in the rendition of the song and its lyrics. Jackson, the composer, himself waxes eloquent and pontificates pompously on Ankvarponn (virginity) which he dedicates to Padmashri M. Boyer, the celebrated and very accomplished Goan Konkani playwright, actor, director and singer. Jai Bharati is by young debutant, Alwyn Gomes, in praise of India that is Bharat, while the lasses Chiara, Marthalisa and Jelda sing in chorus lauding our fishermen as well as expatiate on our green paddy fields that turn to gold in summer, that are disappearing along with their lush greenery irrevocably. Xavier comes again to sing extolling the Carnival performance of the Zunvenkars (people of Zunvem-Santo Estevam) at the officially-sponsored parades. Chiara in her solo song has words of praise for our language Konkani, while Xavier rounds up the rather sparse album with his crown of the piece that is Honrad Ami Zunvenkar which is no doubt a coup de grace that deserves eminent notice for his well-orchestrated facts and figures, logic and melodious voice. A new and ever-fresh contribution to Konkani music and song that needs to be welcomed by one and all. The music album is priced at Rs.200/-.