Goan Culture
Goa’s
cultural traditions literally stretch back to the dawn of civilization. Despite
successive onslaughts and the ravages of alien occupation, Goa’s cultural
traditions have displayed amazing resilience with stimulation by every fresh
challenge.
To a large extent, Goa’s cultural heritage was enriched by a slow but
unremitting process of absorption and assimilation of the more congenial features
of alien culture. The focal point being the symbiosis of Latin and local cultural
strains.
A Goan is said to be born with music in his blood and music literally accompanies
him from the cradle to the grave. Musical traditions run in whole generations.
Music itself runs the entire gamut of sonic versatility; from the rustic Dhangar
(Shepherd) playing and flutes to sophisticated tabla and sitar or violin and
piano soloist thrilling large audiences in concert halls. Music is the time
seller at all major social events-feasts, festivals, “zatras”, and
marriages.
Goan folk music has a lively rhythm and the folk-dances a rugged vitality.
The musical accompaniment for both folk songs and the folk dances is provided
by a diversity of musical instruments – Ghumats, Dhols, Cymbals (Drums),
Flutes, Harmonium, Violins and Guitars. The favorite, however, seems to be
the Ghumat.
No
description in writing can ever do full justice to these dynamic folk art forms.
Watching a live performance can elicit to a certain degree its emotional content,
rhythmic charm, the colorful variety and vitality.
Freedom brought about a cultural renaissance in Goa along with providing a
fresh impetus to the classic literature and fine arts and a revival of the
folk arts.
Once again the almost forgotten folk dances Dhalo, Fugdi, Corridinho, Mando
and performing folk arts (like Khell-Tiatro), Jagar-perani and many others
have come out into their own. Indeed the folk music and folk dances have crossed
the borders of the state and become popular in the rest of the country during
the past 25 years.
