In
Goa, music flows in the veins of the people there. A person does not
need an occasion to break into a song. Be it a festival, wedding,
birthday party, or just friends meeting over a cup of tea, music rules
every occasion. The traditional music of Goa has acquired some elements
from western music also. This was because of the Portuguese rule in this
state for two centuries. The folk music of Goa though still retains its
charm and identity and at the same time, smoothly blends the western
tunes and pitches. Over the years, the Goan trance music has gained
popularity among the crowds.
Goa is almost synonymous with trance music and one can see many trance
parties taking place on the beaches of Goa. This transition took place
somewhere around 1960 - 70 when many hippies came to Goa and made it a
hot tourist destination for the like minded. Since they enjoyed trance
music, they introduced the same over there too. Goa is also much
influenced by western classical music and listens to the likes of Bob
Marley, Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, etc. The current generation listens
to rock and hip hop music religiously. Some famous forms of traditional
music of Goa are discussed below.
Mando
One of the most popular forms of traditional Goan music is known as
Mando. This music is usually sung to a dance and is usually sung in a
chorus. Mando is the preferred style of music for a wedding party it is
said to have evolved from ballroom dancing that was in vogue here during
the nineteenth century.
Ovi
Ovi is a popular form of music that is sung during weddings by the
womenfolk present there. This kind of folk music is sung during a ritual
in which coconut milk is applied in small quantities on the bride and
groom as a symbol of prosperity in terms of material wealth and family.
The songs that are sung usually revolve around the theme of a happy life
ahead with a bright future.
Suvari
The Suvari is a popular form of folk as well as traditional music that
forms an integral part of festivals and religious occasions. Suvari is
basically instrumental orchestra that involves a synchronized
combination of different tunes set to stylized beats. The instruments
are basically traditional in nature like Ghumat, Shamel, Cymbals,
Harmonium, etc.
