Tag: Goan Music

Events in Goa

Festa do Povo Returns to Panaji with Goan Cuisine, Music and Community Spirit

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Traditional flavours, lively music and community spirit will take centre stage as the third edition of Festa do Povo returns to Panaji on January 24 and 25 at the mangrove-lined pedestrian spine at Patto Plaza.

Designed as a people’s festival — “of the people, by the people, and for the people” — Festa do Povo celebrates Goa’s culture, environment, heritage and camaraderie through food, music and shared experiences. The two-day event brings together local home chefs and established city restaurants, offering an exciting culinary journey that reflects Goa’s rich food traditions alongside international flavours prepared by accredited Goan chefs.

Adding to the festive experience will be a dedicated Feni Bridge Bar and beverage stations highlighting local drinks and spirits, reinforcing the festival’s focus on celebrating Goa’s identity and produce.

Music and cultural performances form the heart of Festa do Povo, with a vibrant line-up that includes the Kids Choir (Choir of Angels), a celebrated brass band, a jazz band, and headline performances by popular bands Purple Rain Band and Forefront Band. Visitors will also witness traditional cultural displays such as a temple drum medley synonymous with Shigmo, the graceful Divli (lamp) dance, and captivating performances by the Vyomi Dance Troupe and Samba dancers.

By blending cuisine, music and community, Festa do Povo continues to strengthen Panaji’s cultural fabric, offering residents and visitors a space to come together, celebrate Goa’s living heritage and experience the city through the warmth of its people.

International

First-Ever Ekvottachem Fest Unites Leicester’s Goans in a Celebration of Culture and Community

Tanisha Cardozo

Leicester, UK – 21st August 2025: A historic cultural milestone will be marked in Leicester this August with the city’s first-ever Ekvottachem Fest – a people-powered celebration of Goan identity, togetherness, and tradition. Held at John Bosco Hall from 6:00 pm onwards, the festival is the brainchild of globally renowned Festakar Marius Fernandes, the visionary behind over 100 grassroots cultural festivals around the world.

What is Ekvottachem Fest?

Rooted in the Goan word “ekvott”, meaning unity, the festival brings the Goan community together in a celebration that transcends borders. True to its ethos, the event is completely community-driven – with no sponsors, no VIP guests, and no commercial backing. Instead, it shines a spotlight on shared heritage, volunteer spirit, and cultural pride.

Festival Highlights Include:

  • Balcaoacho Gozalli – Goan-style chats capturing the essence of village balcaos (balconies), promoting intergenerational storytelling.
  • Kottiacho Nach – A vibrant traditional coconut shell dance conceptualised by Dr. Gwendolyn de Ornelas.
  • Festacarachi Pasoi – A Leicester-style heritage walk inspired by Goa’s rich history.
  • Karyashala – Interactive workshops teaching the making of traditional Goan sweets.
  • Goenche Jevonn – An authentic Goan food experience.
  • Live Music & Dance Performances – Celebrating Goan rhythms and local talents.

One of the festival’s major highlights will be the launch of “Saxtti Beats”, a youth-led Goan music band based in Leicester. This debut symbolises the vibrant energy of the next generation carrying forward the cultural torch.

The Leicester edition marks Marius Fernandes’ 103rd community festival globally, and the third in the UK, under his visionary movement: “Festakar Without Borders”. Past editions have empowered communities across continents to celebrate their culture without the constraints of commercialisation.

Local cultural champions Espirito Roy Sequeira, Melba Fernandes, Elvina Maria Fernandes, Steven Gonsalves, and Jancia Da Silva Almeida have played a pivotal role in shaping and supporting this event.

Beyond the festivities, Ekvottachem Fest is a call to UK-based Goans – especially the youth – to reconnect with their language, roots, and traditions, while embracing the diversity and inclusivity of modern Leicester.

As Festakar Marius Fernandes says:

“Goans everywhere share a common bond of unity. Whether in Goa, the UK, or anywhere in the world, our heritage, values, and togetherness are what keep our community strong.”

The Ekvottachem Fest is not just a one-day event – it’s the beginning of a cultural reawakening for Goans in the UK and beyond.

📍Event Details:
 Ekvottachem Fest – Festival of Unity
 📅 Saturday, 23 August 2025
🕕 6:00 PM onwards
📌 John Bosco Hall, Leicester
🎟️ Entry: Free

Events in Goa

Sushant Chimulkar Wins 1st GUJ Solo Singing Competition 2025

allycaralgoa

Panaji, August 16, 2025 – The Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ) hosted the first edition of its Solo Singing Competition at the GUJ hall, Shram Shakti Bhavan, Patto, Panaji. The event brought together 16 participants from across media houses in Goa, competing in two categories – Competitive and Non-Competitive.

In the Competitive category, Sushant Chimulkar of The Navhind Times secured the first prize for his rendition of ‘Dekho veer jawanon’. The second place went to Kishor Naik Gaonkar (Gaonkari) for ‘Chodo kal ki baatein’, while Swapnil Tari (Prudent Media) won third place with ‘O desh mere’. Consolation prizes were awarded to Krantiraj Samrat (Lokmat), Krishna Divkar (Goa Times – The Times of India), and Aniruddha Raul (Navprabha).

In the Non-competitive category, Rajtilak Naik (The Times of India) clinched the top prize for his performance of ‘Sandese aate hain’. Hemant Parab (The Navhind Times) was honoured with the Jury Award for his soulful rendition of ‘Teri mitti mein mil jawa’.

The Best Female Singer Award went to Pradnya Rane (Doordarshan) for ‘Mile sur mera tumhara’ and Gauree Malkarnekar (The Times of India) for ‘Sundor Tum Goa’.

The event was judged by renowned tabla player and former HoD of the Faculty of Indian Music and Dance, Kala Academy, Premanand Amonkar, along with noted vocalist and Kala Academy faculty, Sachin Teli.

GUJ President Rajtilak Naik welcomed the gathering and introduced the judges, while GUJ General Secretary Vasudev Pagi compered the event and proposed the vote of thanks.

The competition highlighted the rich cultural talent within Goa’s journalistic fraternity, blending art with the spirit of camaraderie.

Events in Goa

‘Cantaram for the Community’ Revives Goa’s Musical Heritage for Students of 17 Schools

allycaralgoa

Panaji, August 2025: Goa’s rich musical legacy resonated through classrooms-turned-concert-halls as students from 17 schools and colleges experienced ‘Cantaram for the Community,’ a cultural outreach initiative by Communicare Trust to mark its 20th anniversary. The twin events, hosted at Carmel College, Nuvem and St Xavier’s College, Mapusa, introduced a new generation to the timeless magic of Konkani cantaram.

The programme featured captivating live renditions by the musical collective Entre Nós, who performed classics like Molbailou Dou and a Claudia medley. Vinyl record collector Leaxan Freitas offered students a rare look at vintage music formats — from shellac discs to analogue gramophones — sparking awe among those who had only read about such devices in books.

Through music, stories, and interactive quizzes, the event revived the works of legendary Goan composers and singers such as C. Alvares, Frank Fernand, Chris Perry, Ophelia Cabral, and Antonette Mendes. Performances included beloved pieces like Nachom-ia Kumpasar, Sobit Amchem Goem, and Bencdaita Pai, reintroducing students to melodies that once defined Goa’s soundscape.

Dr. Glenis Mendonca of Carmel College highlighted the event’s camaraderie and engagement, noting how students even danced to the tunes. Student Sofia Haokip described the joy of seeing a gramophone and vinyl in action for the first time.

Manager at Communicare Trust, Nalini Elvino de Sousa, explained that the initiative was designed to bridge the gap between generations, showing how music technology evolved while celebrating Goa’s cultural roots. Supported by the Maria Crescencia Menezes Memorial Educational Trust, ‘Cantaram for the Community’ continues the Trust’s mission of preserving and promoting Goan culture for future generations.

EduConnect

‘Cantaram for the Community’: Goan Colleges to Host Vinyl-Powered Musical Heritage Concerts

Tanisha Cardozo

Panaji | August 7, 2025:
 In a heartfelt tribute to Goa’s vibrant musical past, Communicare Trust — the Dona Paula-based cultural organisation — is rolling out a special initiative titled ‘Cantaram for the Community’. As part of its 20-year anniversary celebrations, the Trust will host two live campus concerts blending rare archival vinyl recordings and live performances to rekindle student interest in the rich Konkani cantaram tradition.

The first edition will be held on August 8 at Carmel College, Nuvem, and the second on August 12 at St Xavier’s College, Mapusa, with both events kicking off at 10:00 am. Entry is free for students, but seats are limited.

Celebrating Forgotten Voices

The concerts will spotlight the songs and stories of iconic Goan composers and singers such as C. Alvares, Joe Rose, Frank Fernand, Ophelia Cabral, and Antonette Mendes — artists whose work defined an era, but who are now often unknown to the younger generation.

The performance will feature the dynamic ensemble Entre Nós, led by musician Omar de Loiola Pereira, with Nadia Rebelo and Ginelle Fernandes on vocals. Their repertoire includes rare compositions and beloved hits, carefully chosen to transport the audience back to Goa’s musical golden age.

Interspersed with these live performances will be curated vinyl sessions by Leaxan Freitas, a passionate record selector and Art Deco researcher. Leaxan’s segments will introduce students not just to vintage audio formats, but also to the history of how Goans once listened to music — from shellac discs and gramophones to the digital age.

More Than Music

To enrich the experience further, the concerts will also include photographs, lyrics, and biographical snippets, making the sessions both musical and educational.

“Many children today have never seen vinyl, tapes or shellac discs. ‘Cantaram for the Community’ aims to show how music and technology evolved while reconnecting youth with Goa’s cultural roots,” said Nalini Elvino de Sousa, Manager at Communicare Trust.

“Many of the original composers are no longer with us, but we’re in touch with their families, who often share lyrics and stories that we incorporate into the concerts to honour their legacy,” she added.

A Cultural Milestone

The initiative is supported by the Maria Crescencia Menezes Memorial Educational Trust, which has played a key role in enabling Communicare’s mission of preserving Goa’s linguistic and cultural heritage over the past two decades.

For two decades, Communicare Trust has championed language learning, cultural revival, and creative education, and this musical outreach is a natural extension of that legacy.

How to Attend

📌 Dates & Venues

  • August 8 – Carmel College, Nuvem (South Goa students)
  • August 12 – St Xavier’s College, Mapusa (North Goa students)

📨 Schools interested in group attendance may write to: communicaretrust@gmail.com
 🎟️ Entry is free, but seats are limited.