Goan singer and composer Mukesh Ghatwal has released a song that has caught the fancy of the music audience in the State. The song is titled Morula (peacock song and dance) which is presented in his modernized style. This song which is a traditional folk song over the ages has been performed by the people of Sarvan in Bicholim Taluka. Mukesh says, “I have created, rearranged, produced in a fusion modernised way giving it a new look without losing its cultural identity. It is said that this song was usually performed during the monsoon. After sowing the seeds, they had to wait for the crop to grow and they had free time. Gradually, they started performing for festivals and that’s how it became a part of Goan tradition," explains Mukesh Ghatwal.
The song is about the tale of a peacock and a hunter who come to catch the peacock and how the beautiful feathers of a peacock is used be the people to decorate, and also make a wreath like which is worn as headgear for performing dance and also used to fan the incense, which helps in releasing a fragrant odour.
He admitted the song was done three years back but he never got time to do the video and release it. He says, “It is not the first time that I’ve done a Goan folk fusion inspired by Goan traditional folk. I had also done another folk fusion song on the traditional tune of 'Ranmale' song from Zarmea village in Sattari Taluka, besides that for the fish festival, I had performed Goan folk fusion songs with my band 'Folk Synthesis'."
The thought behind Murulo in a fusion way was to revive traditional folk song and at the same time give it a new fusion look so that all generations can enjoy it. He says, “I received positive feedback from both generations, especially from the elderly people. I am glad that people are appreciating it despite being a non-commercial song, as to understand and like this genre we need to have a folk fusion taste.”
He used folk instruments like Ghumot, janz, Shamel, Kasale, which is played along with modern instruments like drums, bass, guitar and synthesizer. The video concept is designed by Adv Celesta Saldanha, who decided to give it a look of hope to let’s preserve and transfer our folk to the new generation. That’s why it begins with a young boy opening the treasures of Goa. The beautiful Murulo dance was performed by a group called 'Lokrang Curchorem' which consisted of Krutiksh Naik, Suraj Mohanta, Gitesh Naik, Rohan Gaunekar, Saurab Naik and Shubham Pagi.
This song he says was his small step in doing something different with Goan folk songs. Hopefully, people will start liking the culture and become curious in knowing more and more about Goa's rich Cultural heritage.
Asked what the inspiration behind the song was he says it was nature which inspired him every time and his favourite bird, peacock, which attracts him whenever he hears the bird cry. He says when it spreads its feathers, it is so beautiful. He informs, "The inspiration was that as the other states of India were taking their music on an international level, through fusion, I too wanted to take the rich Goan culture on the international platform through my own fusion way. At the same time, I wanted to revive and develop interest among the youth who are more attracted towards western culture or music as I love my Goan folk music."
Speaking about his creative process he says making this into reality was a little exciting and difficult too, as he had to make sure that he uses the correct pronunciation. Besides that, working on it was his love and passion towards Goan folk and doing something different, which made it easy for him. He says, "Besides that the challenge was that I had to choose the right fusion instrument which would blend with Goan folk instruments that would make it sound soulful."
Speaking about his future plans he says, “Plans are many but I get little time to execute them though videos. Right now I have two more folk fusion songs, three world music songs and one jazz song ready. Let's see which video will be ready. Besides that, clients' projects are pending. I recently worked on film music which will be released for IFFI. And there are two other clients' songs pending which I am planning to finish by August. I want to explore more and more in music. Music is the only thing that gives me great positive energy, makes me happy, fresh, relaxed and keeps me motivated.”
One hopes he stays committed and his creative juices keep flowing.