Ghumat: The sound of Goa’s soul

TGLife

Ghumat is one instrument that is not identical to any one caste, creed, class or community. It is beyond all of this,” said Mr Govind Gaude, Minister of Art and Culture, lauding the initiative taken by Prudent Media to offer a platform to the Ghumat art and artists. Mr Gaude who was speaking as chief guest at the Ghumat Utsav 2019 organized by Prudent Media and the Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of Goa at Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir, Ponda, appreciated the senior and junior Ghumat artists.   

An engineer, actor and artist himself, Gaude encouraged Ghumat artists to play and perform with the same zeal. He said, “Children at young age must be introduced to at least one form of art along with their academic career, so that they can progress in their career and life and follow their dreams.”  

Stating that art gives identity to a person, however to offer a platform to learn, indulge and showcase art is also equally important, Mr Gaude said, “With its goal of bringing a social revolution Prudent has brought us together, binding all with the same thread, love for Ghumat. Self-revolution is also important and one must know the intrinsic art and the beauty of musical instruments. This additional knowledge along with the academic one will help today’s children to go ahead. Fueled with positivity, one can take with him whatever is available around. Humility and patience are two virtues that today’s youth must possess, if they wish to success and conquer the skies.” Mr Gaude advocated the spread of Ghumat and appealed to take Ghumat art forward by learning it.   

Performances by various Aarti Mandals and other groups like Shri Sai Bodgeshwar Ghumat Aarti Mandal (Mapusa), Shri Vairagi Navadurga Ghumat Aarti Mandal (Madkai), Inacios Traditional Dance Troup (Verna), Shri Navsai Ghumat Aarti Mandal (Borim), Goan Traditional Menezes Boys (Verna) and Shri Sateri Kelbai Saunstha (Bambolim) were held.The event was supported by Goa Miles. The Goan Everyday, Goan Varta, Bhaangarbhuim, and Sindhudurg Liver were media partners. 

Mr Vinayak Khedekar, Mr John Fernandes and Mr Anthony Fernandes were felicitated at the hands of Mrs Anju Timblo, Managing Director, Fomento Resorts and Hotels Ltd. who apart from being an industrialist par excellence, an authority in hospitality, a motivator and philanthropist. 

Mrs Timblo, who has been promoting folk and traditional music of Goa across the globe, gifted Ghumats to students of Carmel College, Nuvem, Dada Vaidya College of Education, Ponda and A J de Almeida High School, Ponda. Calling this as a special occasion to be able to recognize the part of our history, culture and heritage, Mrs Timblo pointed out that music is a part of our history, culture and heritage.   

“There’s nothing like remembering what we come from, what we do and give it a quality and honour it deserves and Ghumat is one of them,” said Mrs Timblo, adding, “I still remember, as a child, I wanted to learn to play the ‘Shankh’ (conch) so that at every Satyanarayan pooja, I would be the one leading. And it made me so close to these instruments. The only way to do it is to try and make it happen. It is so good that so many students and colleges have come forward and are encouraging because that’s the only way we can keep it alive. Just remember, Ghumat can be played with any kind of music. We don’t’ have to be rigid and say that we will just play for Chaturthi, or Jagor or Mando. Ghumat is the percussion. It is the rhythm. It is the rhythm of life. You can play it with anything. Let’s do Ghumat with Jazz, let’s do Ghumat with Latin American, let do it with Bollywood. It can be done. Let’s keep it alive. And this is a good start. Wish you all the best for your learning of the Ghumat.”