Goa at one point of time used to be the Mecca of music in the country. Musicians from the state would play all over the country. They would be part of bands in Mumbai, Delhi and Calcutta. And yes, Goan musicians would make up a large part of the orchestras assembled by Hindi music arrangers working in Bollywood. But today that is not the case. Goan musicians seem to be staying back in Goa or playing in bands. What is the reality on the ground?
Music is an intrinsic part of the Goan DNA. Passing any house in a Goan ward chances of hearing someone playing a guitar or a violin or even a piano is pretty high. Are there musicians coming through the system and playing in bands in Goa? Musicians in the state had very interesting views on the subject.
Herman Abreo, singer of blues, rock and reggae songs has been in the business for a while and seen the various highs and lows in the industry in Goa. He says, “Most of the people with money send their children to study in Berklee College of Music or through Youtube. Now it is not about listening by ear and then learning to play. Today it is non-Goans dominating the market. Some of them are very good. There are talented guys coming out of Kolkata. Mohini Dey is a name that comes to mind. Then there are bands. In Goa, many of the bands are doing pop or some other genre. But all of them do covers. Bands are all playing the same song. They sign in events like the Oktoberfest. Playing the same song day and day out can affect them. Bollywood will make them famous but the world is there now. We are still waiting for Goan to win a Grammy. Recently Reuben won the Voice of Australia, he did so well. I hope he gets a contract and importantly, writes his own songs. Here they are all singing covers which is a problem. Most bands sing at weddings but they are covers. It is important to be original.”
Sabby Almeida, a singer and guitarist was of the opinion that in this day and age there was no need to go to Bollywood because Bollywood had come to Goa. He says one had to only look at the restaurants around the state to know that the bands or the singers were singing Hindi film songs. With many people having bought second homes in Goa and living here, they wanted to hear something they were familiar with.
Earlier, Goan restaurants were run by Goan families but now there were several Udupi and Punjabi restaurants run by people who are not Goan, he pointed out. Many of these restaurants were focused on the bottom-line, he says and since Bollywood brought in crowds, most of the bands in these places would play Bollywood songs. He says, “You are not a good band if you can't play Bollywood songs.That’s the reality today.”
The sophistication in the technology meant an entire orchestra can be replicated on a synth and computer. Maxi Peters says, “Everyone likes Bollywood. Earlier a full orchestra was needed but today that is not the case. Today you have foreigners coming over and playing in bands performing jazz. Technology has made all this possible. No one has to go to Bollywood to earn their bread. Good options are available over here too.”
Colin D'Cruz says the music scene has changed. There will still be Goan musicians in Bollywood but not as many as before. He says, “Brass section and violins are not required anymore. The Goan musicians faded away. Electronic music took over. Everything can be managed with a synth. Technology is why Goans lost out. Goans however are coming up all over the world. I am waiting for the first Goan to win a Grammy. I am waiting and am sure it will not be long.”
The point by Vinesh Iyer who is involved in promoting music in Goa is also quite interesting. He says that Goa is the hub of music in the country. He says, “A lot of musicians are coming here. A lot of groups are here now. Earlier they would go to Bollywood but now they can record in Goa itself. You can interact with anyone anywhere in the world. A lot of them are still recording in Bollywood but technology helps them to stay here and work”.
For veteran musician Joaquim Dias or Tony as he is called the Goan connection to Bollywood and the flow of good musicians from the State is still on. He says, “The music has changed for sure. The rhythm section has changed , they now include the dholak and tabla and other instruments from other parts of the country. More indianisation of music has taken place. I used to play background music with Mahesh Kishore who worked with Amar Haldipur. The brass sections were Goan now East Indians have come in. Not many Goans are there but they teach the violin. There are Goans like Clinton Cerejo, Loy Mendonza who are still there and doing good work. The Goan musicians are not going to Bollywood but they are going out into the world. They are being invited to places like Canada, UK, America and earning a name. They are now looking at the world. Bollywood music is now Punjabi based. Goan musicians' focus has shifted.”
The talented Goan musician is still emerging but their focus has changed. They are now looking at the world.