--- On Thu, 6/16/11, Anarvi Barbosa <[email protected]> wrote:
From: Anarvi Barbosa <[email protected]> Subject: EKVAT recital belies expectations To: "Francisco Colaço" <[email protected]> Date: Thursday, June 16, 2011, 1:46 PM Caro Franchicote Li o teu artigo na Goanet e agradeço algumas das tuas observações acerca do espectáculo no Ravindra Bhavan, que poderão certamente ajudar-nos a melhorar. Tenho pena que não tenhas gostado do nosso programa. Ao ler o artigo fica-me a impressão de que houve aqui um equívoco: as tuas expectativas e a de outros especialistas eram demasiado altas, sem que o EKVAT tivesse sido responsável por as ter criado. O grupo foi convidado pelo Comissário NRI do Governo de Goa para apresentar o trabalho que está a fazer na Diáspora de Portugal, e foi somente isso que fez nesse espectáculo. Nunca tivemos a pretensão de sermos os melhores do mundo e sempre soubemos que há em Goa grupos "home-grown" que são muito bons, como não podia deixar de ser, dada a musicalidade inata dos goeses. Quanto à observação sobre arranjos musicais da Rapsódia de Damão e Diu, este arranjo e algumas outras peças originais foram criadas por mim para o EKVAT (com letra da Maria Virgínia). Não sou músico profissional mas somente um amador de música e parece-me natural que vivendo em ambientes diferentes tenhamos sensibilidades musicais diferentes (só para dar um exemplo: em Goa até os cânticos da missa nas aldeias são cantados a três e quatro vozes por gente sem qualquer formação musical). Um abraço amigo do Arvi ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Goanet Reader <[email protected]> Date: Thu, Jun 16, 2011 at 1:02 PM Subject: [Goanet-News] Goanet Reader: Ekvat recital belies expectations (Dr Francisco Colaco) To: "Goa's premiere mailing list, estb. 1994!" <[email protected]> EKVAT RECITAL BELIES EXPECTATIONS cBy Dr. Francisco Colaço [email protected] When Honourable Dr. Karan Singh some months ago was in Goa and decided to set up a Goan Chapter of the ICCR (Indian Council of Cultural Relations) many suggestions were made. But the one that was wholeheartedly accepted was that of our enthusiastic and dynamic NRI Commissioner, Dr. Eduardo Faleiro (seconded by me) that the group EKVAT from Portugal ought to be flown to India for a number of concerts in various metros and to Goa in special. For the last 20 years the Goan Diaspora in Portugal keeps the home fire burning - away from home -- by propagating Goan culture, song and dance. Kudos to them! June 5, 2011 provided a rare opportunity to listen to EKVAT in Margao, at Ravindra Bhavan. The program on the whole was very entertaining and absorbing. But to be truthful, it never rose to great heights. Only the well-rendered Bharat Natyam and other well-executed dances with typical Indian flavour impressed favourably. Individually, obviously, the various artists were very good. What is more, the choreography was excellent. But the musical arrangements for the various Goan and Daman-folklore items were average and never soul-stirring. Especially the Adeus Korcho Vell(u) Paullo was a little disappointing. It is known that the EKVAT in Lisbon wends its way forward with dogged determination despite many vicissitudes. Some erstwhile participants of the group are no more; others have split from the parent group and have formed new groups. Admittedly, it is also proving difficult for the senior EKVAT members to attract younger talent. Yet, something stellar was to be expected from a group that comes all the way to perform in their own homeland. Of course, it is never easy to sell coals to Newcastle, yet EKVAT could have done much better. The performance lacked the spark that makes one fly into raptures. What is more (though comparisons are odious), it must be said that the EKVAT's performance came nowhere closer to the performances of our home-grown artists: for instance, our Mando festival prize-winners, or, the flawless Mando-Dulpod rendering by the Miguel Cotta family. When Sonia Shirsat renders, for example, the 'Adeus Korcho Vell(u) Paullo' she leaves the audience in tears! What EKVAT needs most of all is more instrumental and choral voices and, above all, a good musical composer/arranger with sound knowledge of writing scores for various voices and instruments. This is a must if they must shine in Goa -- the cradle of Mando/Dulpods -- and also as an international group. Ekvat's Mando dancing came nowhere closer to our expectations. It is also sad that while the male partners made an effort to dance with their ladies as best as they could, they simply ignored the rightful male attire for the occasion. Many years ago when EKVAT performed at the Clube Harmonia de Margao, their music was richer and better and the overall performance much more commendable, despite the fact that Ravindra Bhavan is much better-suited, has excellent acoustic system and a charm of its own. But, I am given to understand, that the majority in the audience left after the EKVAT concert with a good impression and thankful for a pleasant evening. But when I got in touch with many stalwarts who graced the occasion on that day, all were unanimous in pointing out the several loop holes which, according to them, must be plugged if EKVAT is to sore to greater heights. Our heartiest congratulations, nevertheless, to the EKVAT and CASA DE GOA, for their unflagging enthusiasm and perseverance despite odds. Especially for their commitment to keep the flag of Goan culture flying high the world over.
