SANGUEM
The traditional musical instrument business in Quepem and Curchorem is facing a steady decline, with artisans and sellers reporting a sharp fall in sales and fewer customers.
Traditional instruments such as the Ghumot, Shamel, Kasal and Taal are an important part of Goa’s cultural and musical heritage. However, artisans and sellers fear that, without adequate support, this traditional craft and trade could gradually disappear.
Siddharth Vast, a traditional musical instrument seller in Curchorem who has been in the business for over 35 years, said demand for traditional Goan instruments has declined considerably over the years.
Vast also spoke about changes in the making of the Ghumot, one of Goa’s popular percussion instruments.
According to him, Ghumots were traditionally made using monitor lizard, or Ghorpad, skin. Following the ban on the use of monitor lizard skin, manufacturers and artisans shifted to goat skin, which has been increasingly used to make Ghumots over the past five years.
Traditional artisans have appealed to the government to provide financial assistance, subsidies and other support schemes for makers and sellers of traditional musical instruments. Such assistance, they said, would help sustain the trade, support artisans and preserve these traditional Goan instruments for future generations.
Vast stressed that government intervention is necessary not only to revive their businesses but also to protect an important part of Goa’s cultural heritage.
