PANAJI
Goa's traditional instrument Ghumat along with other musical instruments came alive at the ‘Sur Jahan’, a concert for world peace music, at the Kala Academy in Panaji on Friday.
The concert, organised by Amitava Bhattacharya of Bangla Natak in association the Department of Art and Culture, began with the lamp ceremoniously lit by all artistes along with the chief guest, Director of Art and Culture Sagun Velip.
The concert on Friday featured The Ghumat Project by acclaimed Goan percussionist Carlos Gonsalves (Talking Drums), Folkcorn of Netherlands and Habib Khan Langa & team from Rajasthan.
Gonsalves has been promoting his ‘Taking Ghumot to the world’ project, with different indigenous musical instruments along with Ghumot, such as Dhol, Dub, Tasha, Shamel, Kasale, Zanz, Madhalem and western instruments like drum set and acoustic guitar along with Goan traditional folk vocals.
The other troupe members were Roque Lazarus (Guitar), Shane Fernandes (Violin), Tanay Akarkar (vocals), Saiesh Naik (Ghumat), Deeptesh Gaude (Ghumat, Dhol and Dub), Gaurish Bakal (Tasha and Shamel) and Sairaj Naik (Kasale and Zanz).
Gonsalves and his team were applauded for their ingenuity in the vivid and colourful use of Goa's traditional percussions. He engaged the audience in form of rhythm on claps as a compliment to the rhythm of Ghumot. This dialogue and active audience participation electrified the atmosphere.
The individually designed wardrobe for the entire troupe was created by noted Goan fashion designer Verma D’Mello in a record time of three days, as she represented the Goan weave patterns of Kunbi Saree weavers on Indian as well as western outfits.
The troupe has expressed its gratitude to the music lovers from all over Goa who had got together to make the concert a memorable event.
