LONDON
Acclaimed British Goan baritone operatic singer Oscar Castellino and guest singer Chelsea D’Silva from Goa, along with musicians from the Baluji Music Foundation, enthralled the gathering at the second edition of the Goa-Portuguesa summer concert ‘Goan Interaction 2026’ on June 20.
Set in Dulwich village, South East London, over 200 attended the function at St Stephen’s Church, Dulwich.
Vicar of St Stephen’s Church, Dulwich, Reverend Canon Bernard Schünemann, welcomed the guests for the fusion of Goan, Indian and Portuguese music."
Melville Rodrigues, the main sponsor for this function, in his opening speech introduced the Mayor of the London Borough of Croydon, Mohammed Islam; Mayoress Islam; Councillor Jose Fernandes (Thornton Heath Ward of Croydon Council); and Joyce Fernandes (Wembley Hill Ward of Brent Council), who were special guests for the evening.
Welcoming those present at the church who had travelled from various parts of London and the UK, Melville said he was delighted that people had come to experience this musical performance.
Reflecting on the historic background of Goan music, Melville said, "In Goa, Portuguese melodies combined with Indian musical instruments have emerged as a powerful expression of Goa’s cultural identity. With the migration of Goans who travelled to Africa, the UK and other parts of the world, their music has evolved, thus transcending borders. Music celebrates the harmony and hope of multiculturalism, which is also demonstrated by our performers today.”
THE PERFORMANCES
In addition to Oscar and Chelsea, the musicians from the Baluji Music Foundation included Mark Troop (pianist and noted composer from England); Takashi Kikuchi (award-winning Japanese viola player from the Royal Academy of Music); Manmohan Dogra (Tabla/ghumot player with links to Northern India); and Etienne Bartholomew (sitar player from Switzerland and Scotland).
Oscar started the event with a tune he composed based on a poem ‘Jinnen Maka Sogle Dile’ by Goa’s acclaimed poet, Manohar Rai Sardesai. The music arrangement was by Jason Quadros, with Oscar singing this song in baroque style.
This was followed by Chelsea D'Silva, who sang ‘Tuzo Mog’, a song by Chris Perry and originally sung by Lorna. Oscar and Chelsea then sang a duet, the Konkani Mando ‘Tambde Rosa’.
Takashi Kikuchi, from Japan, played an instrumental tune, ‘On the Spring Wind’. Chelsea and Oscar followed with a duet, ‘Encosta Tua Cabecinha’, a popular Portuguese tune. While performing, Oscar danced with his partner, Boadicea Richards, with a western ballroom improvisation.
Chelsea later sang Chris Perry’s composition ‘Noxibak Rodtam’, which was followed by a song by Oscar based on a poem of Manohar Rai Sardessai, with the music arranged by Jason Quadros.
Before the interval, all sang Remo Fernandes’ popular rendition of ‘Ya Ya Maya Ya’.
After a short break, there was an Indian classical improvisation of a popular Goan tune with Etienne Bartholmew on sitar and Manmohan Dogra.
Laxman Rao Sardessai, a Goan freedom fighter who wrote a poem, ‘Terra Mai', was improvised into a song by Oscar, with music and arrangement by pianist Mark Troop.
Chelsea then sang a Portuguese tune, 'Você Não’, followed by a duet by Chelsea and Oscar of the popular song ‘The Prayer’.
A traditional Portuguese medley with tunes like ‘Cadē Zazá, za, za, za’ was followed by the Konkani tone ‘Adeus’ and finally ended with the tune ‘Susegao Goa’ in Portuguese, arranged by Mark Troop and Jason Quadros, with music by Oscar Castellino and lyrics by Gabriel Pais.
THE REACTIONS
Speaking to The Goan during the event, Chelsea D’Silva, a guest singer from Goa, said this was the first time she had performed for a musical show in London.
“The show was wonderfully organised, and the arrangements by Melville Rodrigues were exceptional. I was absolutely delighted to perform along with Oscar Castellino and his team from the Baluji Musical Foundation. It was an honour to be here, and the audience was wonderful,” said Chelsea.
When contacted, Oscar Castellino said, "To do the performance for the second time involves a lot of hard work; however, old traditional pieces are still very much alive so far away from Goa.”
“I was encouraged by people open to other styles within our music. They appreciated every type of Indian classical and opera tune, and their reaction was tremendous. Goans have great music and have admiration for other music too. The fusion worked very well. We had a vision of this fusion a few years ago, and it's really taking off,” added Oscar.
During the interval, Mayor of Croydon Mohammed Islam, while speaking to The Goan, said, “I was aware of Indian music tunes with tabla, but it is an amazing blend of music fusion with Western music which made me speechless.”
