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Portuguese influence on music and dance of Goa

Goa, the smallest Indian state, was under the Portuguese rule for more than five centuries. The European powers left in 1961. Being dominated for centuries, the Goan culture heavily reflects the Portuguese influence. The Portuguese culture is known for their happy go lucky nature, love for drinks, late night parties and gala dinners. The Portuguese captured Goa in the 16th century and ruled for over four centuries

Goans are a talented lot when it comes to music and dance. They don't leave an occasion to pull a string or shake a leg. Music is in the blood of Goans since time immemorial, in almost every family you would find a pianist or a guitarist. Being a part of the culture, the music of Goa is a blend of the East and the West. While the rural areas still stick to the traditional forms of music, the urban areas have shifted to a more modern version. The committee of Semana da Cultura Indo-Portuguesa (Goa) has organized a business-related interaction where Goan and Portuguese entrepreneurs can share industry views and boost business relations. Addressing a press conference, Anil Counto, chairman of the executive committee of Semana da Cultura Indo-Portuguesa (Goa) said, "India and Portugal, both regions are steeped in rich heritage and culture. Semana da Cultura Indo-Portuguese (Goa) celebrates the diverse cultures; the language, architecture, art, literature, music and other elements. Goa has assimilated the essence of both regions where people coexist in harmony and joy."

Antonia Sabido Costa, consul general of Portugal in Goa and convener of the committee added is of the view that throughout the event he hopes to offer a diversified presentation of some of the most innovative and contemporary art forms and creators, each of which are rooted in traditional culture including the singing competitions, azulejos and talks on Portuguese as a language. One of the key highlights of the week long festivities is the sumptuous buffet of Goan - Portuguese cuisine being put together by Goa’s popular celebrity chefs from Cidade de Goa. The chef and his team have carefully planned an elaborate spread of Goan and Portuguese delicacies and sweet treats for the gala dinner to be held in Lisbon. Screenings of Goan films such as that of ‘O Maria’ directed by Rajendra Talak, award winning ‘Pultadacho Munis’ (The man beyond the bridge) by Laxmikant Shetgaonkar and ‘Jagor’ an award winning film at IFFI 2009 by Sangram Singaikwad was held at the Museu de Oriente and Cinemateca which is a prestigious film institute in the country. The screenings were followed by a discussion. An interaction was scheduled at Cinemateca where film makers from Portugal and Goa were able to interacting with each other. Screening of Portuguese films take place on Saturdays at Chowgule College too. The Goa University too offers Portuguese courses in Portuguese theatre.

Goan fadista Sonia Shirsat is famous for her fado. Fado songs typically narrate sad tales of separation, longing and unrequited love. But Shirsat says that it’s not all melancholic and morose. “There are some lively and upbeat fados as well,” says Shirsat, who idolises Amalia Rodrigues, the Portuguese singer credited with popularising fado worldwide. An exhibition of photographs by celebrated Goan photographers Pantaleao Fernandes, Assavri Kulkarni and Sanjeev Sardessai was organised at the Fundacao Champalimund over an evening of cocktails. Breathtaking images of Goa’s landscapes were showcased to guests through the weeklong event.

Successfully running for 11 consecutive years, Vem Cantar, the Portuguese singing competition jointly organized by the Heritage Cell of Rosary College, Navelim and Fundação Oriente resonated through the interiors of Kala Academy. Started in 1998, as an initiative taken by the Heritage Cell of Rosary College of Commerce and Arts, Navelim, Vem Cantar was staged on the college premises and was restricted to a few solo participants, and an even smaller number of groups. The Fundação sees this as an opportunity to build a strong level of interest in the Portuguese language through music. Every year, we see the involvement of participants, that but for the song, may have no knowledge of the language. But through this medium, interest develops.”One person that has taken a keen interest in the development of the competition on the whole is Delfim Correia da Silva, director of Instituto Camões, based in Panjim. For the last three years he has been actively involved in conducting audio-visual sessions on contemporary Portuguese music, so as to expose participants to various genres of music in the Iberian language.

Corridinho is a form of Portuguese dance performed in Goa. It is popular amongst the dances of Goa and is considered a beautiful example of Portuguese cultural influence. It is also known to be a peasant dance which is popular among Goan elite youth. Corridinho is considered to be a popular form of the Portuguese dance named Algarve. It is performed by couples in which the girls wear long skirts and tie a scarf for their hair and the boys wear a hat. The colourful costumes are a feast to the eye. Corridinho Marcha de Fontainhas is a well known folk art that involves singing and dancing. It is performed for many competitions and festivals in Goa. This form is usually performed by 6 couples and is known for its exquisite and rhythmic footwork.

To conclude the long period of Portuguese rule has left behind an indelible influence on Goa. From Goan food, culture, religion to fairs, festivals and music everything reflects the Portuguese influence on this Indian state. It is rather difficult to imagine Goa without the Portuguese connection. Goa is a unique blend of western and eastern culture and this unique blend is reflected is almost every Goan aspect, art to architecture to food and music.