PRATIK PARAB
pratik@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Bhojpuri music on board, interspersed with Bollywood, Punjabi and Tamil music, is your entertainment on the river cruises that tourists come to enjoy, in Panjim. While there is absolutely no issue with the music and its entertainment and enjoyment value, it’s akin to playing samba music on a musical Sound of Music tour in Austria.
Quite simply, the idea is that Goan culture and traditions need to be showcased to tourists in Goa. You don’t go to Finland to see the Flamenco, do you? Similary when people come to Goan to enjoy freshly cooked Tarle, you offer than the Bhangra (dance).
However, cruise boat owners have put it down to plain business compulsions. CEO of Mandovi Drydocks and operator of a cruise boat Atrey Sawant said, “It may be recalled that when we started cruise boats 20 years back 60 to 70 per cent of the music and dance was Goan. It has changed now as the crowds have changed and the crowds do not relate to Goan music.”
The Head of Operations of a prominent cruise company Akash Madgavkar said, “We have been operating the cruises even as we face several hindrances. In fact when it comes to music it’s about enjoyment and the reviews of customers are of great importance.”
“Even in this situation we make sure that we showcase Goan culture and music within the one-hour cruise,” he added.
However, cruise boat owners giving prominence to non-Goan music and dance programmes during the voyages have attracted criticism from various quarters of society. Prominent personalities of Goa have blamed it on the entire tourism policy of the State.
The music that falls on the ears is many times Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Tamil or other popular tracks in languages other than Konkani. This music can be heard prominently while one takes a walk by the newly-constructed promenade of Panjim.
Currently, there are almost 20 cruise boats operating in the Mandovi river. The populist sentiment is forcing the operators to sideline Goan cultural music and dance and play non-Goan music and dance during voyages. Art and culture stakeholders call for a policy to avoid the dilution of Goan culture.
Famed Goan actor Dr Meenacshi Martins said, “I am not in favour of the manner in which Goa is promoting the tourism of the State. We have killed our own culture. Not just cruises there are so many places from where Goan identity is disappearing. We have been insisting on a relook into the tourism policy of Goa for so many years. Emphasis has to be laid on Goan culture, music and dance to make sure we preserve it.”
A renowned artist of Goa, Subodh Kerkar said, “If we see what the combined wisdom of all the governments post-Liberation of Goa gave to the State is casinos. What are you talking about music? Are casinos our culture?”
“I think there is a lot more to do as far as tourism is concerned,” he added.
The promoter of Big Foot museum Maendra Alvares said, “It is a fact that this change is happening as we have to change to what is needed. In that process we will be losing our culture and originality.”
“We need to streamline and someone has to have a strong hand to tell what we need to have. There are several studies that show how tourism in Goa is changing and retaining its identity is going to be difficult,” he added.
While there are no easy answers, tough decisions need to be taken and the seriousness of the problem has to be recognised. Or else with each cruise, Goan-ness will sail away.