In an effort to revive the traditional Goan Mando, Carmona-based Goychim Lharam have produced three mande for the Christmas season. All three mande will be released on the Goychim Lharam YouTube channel
Goychim Lharam was established by Floscy Gracias in 2016 to promote Goan culture, to showcase aspects of Goan culture which are slowly taking backstage, to tap local talent and to be ambassadors of culture to the global Goan diaspora.
All three mande will be released on the Goychim Lharam YouTube channel.
MOG, MOGACHO SUSKAR
The first Mando ‘Mog, Mogacho Suskar’ was composed and performed at the 53rd Mando Festival 2019 organised by Goa Cultural and Social Centre at Kala Academy.
The Mando is based on a couple who fall in love at a local prayer gathering and express their intimacy towards each other. The story further dwells on the terminal sickness of one of the lovers and yet, both decide to stand by each other though family and friends advise the contrary.
The message the Mando tries to drive home is that true love should withstand any hardships or turbulences that may be unexpected visitors in a relationship.
The Dulpods for this Mando are based on the current scenarios of modern families with an attempt to compare it with the years gone by.
The Dulpods try to bring to light the selfless life practices that were prevalent some decades ago, now being replaced with self-centredness and selfishness.
NATALAM RATRIK
The second Mando ‘Natalam Ratrik' (On Christmas Night) is scheduled for release on Christmas day. Fr Simon D’Cunha has provided the lyrics and melody to the Mando.
The Mando is based on the love story of a couple who meet on a Christmas night where they feel a strong vibe towards each other.
Following this encounter, the lovers meet each other often and spend time endlessly with a vow to matrimony.
The latter journey of the love story is faced with challenges and the couple decides to stand by each other through thick and thin.
The Dulpods for this are traditional. This mando has been taken as a dance Mando and there are 5 couples dancing in the video.
MOGACHI CHITT
The third Mando ‘Mogachi Chitt’, developed by Peter Azaredo, Fr Milagres and Floscy Gracias, is based on the daily encounters of two people over a period of time which gradually ends up in love.
Subsequently, vows are made to spend the rest of their lives with each other, living life with romance-filled adventures.
The Dulpods are based on scenarios during elections, the fast foods that are slowly replacing home cooked traditional delicacies, etc.
A mention is made about the anxiety caused in recent times due to adulteration in fish which is a staple food of Goa.
This Mando tries to depict the actual gatherings that happened in Aristocratic or elite families on occasions of festival or engagements or weddings during the Portuguese era.
THE TEAM
Apart from managing ‘Goychim Lharam’, Floscy Gracias is a civil engineer by profession and strives to accommodate members, young and old, in the performances.
The group has performed at various events and represented Goa internationally in countries like Germany, China and Portugal.
Ivan Gonsalves and Floscy Gracias have done the lead vocals for all three Mande. Acoustic instruments such as ghumot, violins, guitar and double bass have been used in the accompaniments.
In total, the three Mande have been sung and performed by 24 artistes of Goychim Lharam.
The vocals and music arrangements for all 3 Mande/Dulpods are by Avinash Fernandes, Seby Fernandes, Fr Simon D`Cunha, Johann Quadros and Floscy Gracias.
The Goychim Lharam members involved in this project are Floscy Gracias, Fedora Gomes, Heloise Fernandes, Pershirl Fernandes, Astrid Fernandes, Sanisha Pinto, Franzy Furtado, Senalda Lopes, Jeffrey Viegas, Ivan Gonsalves, Jason Andrade, Jonathan Barretto, Sherwin Noronha, Jeshus Fernandes, Risban Gracias, Mark Afonso, Zinho Fernandes, Samuel Afonso, Platini Fernandes, Guilherme Menezes, Marc Rodrigues, Rolfan Vaz, Benjamin Baptista, Elvis De Souza, Claster Cardozo, Marshall Menezes, Pobre Dias, Rolfan Vaz and Fr Myron Sequeira.
The resource person for the Mande was Arlindo De Miranda, while Telminha Costa Gracias has provided inputs on the ladies attire of aristocratic families.
Melbourne-based Frankie Gerard Fernandes, who produced the three Mande, said the idea came up after watching Floscy Gracias perform during the World Goa Day Virtual celebrations.
