Goa has changed a lot over the years and where there were green expanses of fertile fields, we now see multi-storey buildings and a whole new village living in those buildings. The trees are cut and the fresh water springs have dried up. The true essence of living in harmony with nature is slowly diminishing and the same is felt by Neil Monteiro.
Born and brought up in Siolim, Neil is now part of the Goan diaspora in Toronto, Canada and makes it a point to travel to Goa every year. Since he moved in 2008, he has noticed new changes to the landmark whenever he travels back. This inspired him to send a message across to save Goa through a song. “I travel to Goa to see family and friends every year for a duration of 2 to 3 weeks. I’ve been reading about the destruction of nature through various sources including OHeraldo e-newspaper. I could not stand it when they started cutting the hills where we used to get lost after school in search of jungle fruits like kanta and Chunna,” says Neil, who now lives in Porvorim on his Goan visits.
The song ‘Goa Again’, its lyrics and composition are by Neil, the music was recorded and arranged by Rufus Rajan. The video for the song was done by Olwin Fernandes, while the location for the video was the Silva heritage house at Benaulim.
“I wrote this song when I was down in Goa last September after I witnessed the hill cutting and the garbage issues in major cities. I was shocked to see that Goa was being drained out of its natural beauty and the concrete being poured on every nook and corner to make it look like any other major metropolitan city. Rufus Rajan, my good friend in Toronto is a music genius from Kerala who recorded the song in Canada,” says Neil.
Born into a family which fought for the freedom from Salazar during Portuguese rule in 1787, the Gama Pinto family led the Pinto Revolt in Goa while his mother is related to the Athaide Pinto family. “There should be a peaceful rebellion against the land mafias here in Goa. That’s the beginning of my fight and I won’t stop till I wake up every Goan,” says Neil. He adds, “It’s not only Goa which bothered me. Recently, I visited Jamaica and I wrote about their plight too in a song dedicated to them to raise awareness in Jamaica and among Jamaicans living in Canada. So that’s the same with Goans living in Canada too.”
In Canada, Neil works as a print consultant at the world’s largest office supplies company, Staples. However, he keeps his roots to Goa strong by also catering Goan food from home especially sausages and his signature Balchao which he makes with his mother’s recipe which is very popular in Canada. “We have a significant Goan population. We are united and meet up at various dances and shows organized by prominent Goans. My kids were born in Canada but they have been to Goa several times and they love it here. They love the beaches but hate the garbage issues,” he says.
Neil has a long-term vision for the song which received a great response. People are messaging me every day asking to collaborate too which is amazing. I will be selling T-shirts and caps on YouTube to raise awareness with #save Goa printed on the shirts as well as the caps and the money raised will help orphans at Bethesda Children’s home in Seraulim,” informs Neil.
Speaking about the concern Goan living outside Goa feel for the land and its issues, Neil elaborates, “Goa Again’ is an anthem. When I talk to Goans in Toronto and friends in the UK and US too, I can sense the concern. I want to take this up to the Goan Overseas Association in Canada first and then UK Australia and the USA too. I will perform there so I will talk about my concerns and make it public. I will also dedicate a day to save Goa as I know both the presidents of the organisations.”
‘Goa Again’ is available on YouTube and other online platforms around the world. “I want to work on more songs about Goa with stronger messages and I won’t be afraid of telling my people in Goa to wake up and stop this destruction,” he concludes.