The catchy beats of Ringa Ringa are hard to miss. Scroll through Goa-related reels on social media today, and chances are the soundtrack is one of singer-songwriter Rochelle Braganca's songs. From Ringa Ringa and Nach Re to Let's Do Waka Waka, DJ Play That Song and Only Love, her music has carved a space for itself, becoming a favourite across generations. After taking the internet by storm, Rochelle shares the story behind her song, her love for singing and the importance of maintaining her voice in a world that is slowly moving towards artificial voices.
A VOICE GUIDED BY FAITH
Recalling her earliest memory of singing, she replies, “There was a large crowd in the school, and the mic was in my hand. The kids wouldn’t keep quiet, so I started singing. That’s when the teachers noticed my talent and the singing journey started.”
For Braganca, singing has never been confined to the stage or studio. It has been a deeply personal journey, one that has offered comfort, strengthened her faith, and served as an emotional outlet through different phases of life. "My relationship with singing has mostly been an emotional one. Spiritually, it has brought me closer to God. It has been an emotional de-stressor," she says.
Every song has its own story, but Only Love holds a special place in her heart. It was the first song she ever wrote, born out of faith before eventually taking a different direction. "The first song I wrote, Only Love, was for God. But I realised it would not work, so I turned it into a love song," she says, explaining that while personal expression is important, understanding what listeners connect with also matters when building an audience. "Market value matters until you already have a steady audience. But when I sing it, I sing it for God." Among all her songs, ‘Only Love’ remains the one she feels most connected to. “It asks for healing," she says.
THE MAKING OF A VIRAL HIT
While Only Love reflects a deeply personal side of Braganca, Ringa Ringa and Nach Re introduced her music to an entirely new audience. The upbeat tracks have become staples at celebrations and social media reels across Goa. "I knew Ringa Ringa would go viral with the amount of work we had put into it. We hoped, and we also knew it would work," she says, adding that the songs were created to appeal to both younger and older listeners alike. Despite the recognition, Braganca is quick to point out that every successful song is the result of collective effort rather than individual talent. "It is not me alone. There are a lot of brains working behind it. There is the cinematographer, the music producer, and so many other people. I cannot take all the praise," she says. "It is everyone working behind the scenes that helps bring these songs to life."
FINDING JOY
Interestingly, it is not the finished product that she enjoys the most, but everything that comes before it. “It is not the completion, but the process. The writing, the scripting, the detailing, walking through this process is what gives me accomplishment,” she shares. For Braganca, although singing started as a hobby, it soon evolved into passion. “I know a lot of people have a lot of hobbies, but for me the hobby turned into passion and then into a career," she says. Much of that journey has been shaped by her faith and family. "Not many people know this about me, but I am deeply spiritual and holy, so the inspiration would probably be God, my grandfather, and the various artists he introduced me to."
Her fondest memory of singing has been when she wrote a song for Lorna. “While the track is not out yet, for October Fest last year, Tsumyoki performed it with Lorna, so I wrote it with him. And she actually performed it. That’s the fondest memory I have of singing,” she shares.
STAYING TRUE TO HER VOICE
Her journey, however, has not been without its challenges. As a child, she remembers people telling her that she should not sing. "Looking at how far I have come, it is a sense of humility and enjoying the love that I am getting from all the people who love my songs. It has been a blessing and an amazing journey."
Today, Rochelle's music has become part of Goa's soundtrack. Whether playing at feasts, celebrations or through the endless stream of social media reels, her songs continue to bring people together. Behind every catchy beat is a story of faith, perseverance and a singer who believes that there will always be room for an authentic voice.
