MELBOURNE
After having recently celebrated the Goa Day event in Melbourne, Goans are now eagerly anticipating the ‘Goan Konkani Musical Show’ of Konkani songs, on September 24, which presents yet another opportunity for the diaspora to showcase their Goan identity and culture.
This is the second edition of the event, the first being staged in September 2019, while the second edition had to be cancelled on account of the Covid pandemic. With Covid restrictions being removed, the organisers “ Mario Carvalho, Josefato Vales, Felipe Dias and Titus Fernandes “ have decided to present the ‘Goan Konkani Musical Show’ for the second time and it will be organised at the St John’s Church Durkin Hall, Mitcham-Melbourne from 8 pm onwards.
The organisers said the ‘Goan Konkani Musical Show’ will be free for children and youth to give them better exposure to the Konkani language and music, while there will be a nominal fee for those above 25 years.
A number of musicians and singers will present Konkani music and they include Josefato Vales, Sanio Fernandes, Sarojini D’Sa, Myline Vales, Jovan Vales, Serene Sequeira, Melville Telles, Arnaldo Afonso, Venessa Afonso, Titus Fernandes, Ursula Fernandes, Claudia Sequeira, Cherylanne Carvalho, Yolanne Carvalho, Felipe Dias and Mario Carvalho.
Sarojini D’Sa, considered Melbourne’s nightingale of the Konkani stage, is also a YouTube singing sensation, with songs in Konkani, Portuguese, English, Fijian and Hindi.
“I have been singing in Melbourne since 1992,” says Sarojini.
Titus Fernandes is a music lover, dancer and loves to travel, meet people and know their cultures and traditions around the world. Ursula Fernandes works for the public service and loves music and dance.
Josefato and his two children, Jovan and Myline, have been involved with musical events since they moved to Australia about 15 years ago. Josefato himself has been the backbone of almost all Goan events in Victoria.
The husband-wife duo of Vanessa and Arnaldo Afonso come from a musically talented family in Goa and continued to sing and display their talents during the Konkani Musical Show in Melbourne and also the Goan Overseas Association of Victoria organised shows.
The Carvalho family comprising Mario, his wife Cherylanne and daughter Yolanne, have been into music much before they arrived in Australia over two decades back, the family has been hosting Konkani musicians from overseas and attempting to promote Konkani music here in Melbourne.
While Cherylanne has been coordinating the organising details, daughter Yolanne who is studying to be a doctor, plays a wide range of musical instruments and has been sacrificing her time to ensure that she gives her best performance for the upcoming show.
Mario’s first Melbourne Konkani musical show was in October 2010 as part of the ‘Konkani Cultural and Heritage Incorporated’ (KCHI).
Apart from releasing songs on YouTube, Dubai-based Konkani singer and comedian Sanio Fernandes has also performed overseas in several states of the USA, including Florida, Texas, California, and also the UK and the Gulf. Goans in Melbourne will be welcoming Sanio for the second time in four years.
“The joy and fulfilment I get when I get to use my gift to entertain and serve our Goans abroad is invaluable. Our Goenkar is ‘Mog Moipasshi’ and as an artist, I get to experience that side of our Goans abroad as they welcome you with open arms,” says Sanio, who traces his roots to Seraulim.
“For them, you in that moment represent the ‘Goa’ and all its beautiful memories they have left behind and as an artist what a great way to fill nostalgic hearts with joy.”
“Through my music, I aim to bring the Goan community together, in hearts and minds. Imagine, how beautiful a sight when Goans across the Globe will operate as One Tribe, One Goenkar.”
“We as musicians and singers of today are aspiring to promote that oneness. Being ‘Mog Moipashi’, we Goans have the potential to not only appreciate each other’s similarities but also ‘Respect’ each other’s differences,” says Sanio, who has been admired for his soulful soothing voice, song presentation and unique music arrangement.
