ZAGOR HELD IN CALANGUTE ON 26.01.16.
Anna Maria & Stacy Mesquita singing their song on Goa.
On Tuesday 26thof this month, at Calangute Tivai Vaddo next to Poriat football ground, I saw the Goan traditional Zagor starting at 9.30 PM and attended by a good number of people coming from different villages. It was directed by Salvador Fernandes who besides directing this Zagor also composed major portions of the songs rendered by the different singers coming not only from Calangute but also from beyond local borders.
Jerry Fernandes in the middle seen addressing the gathering
The chief guest for this Zagor was the son of the soil Jerry Fernandes (Chef Jerry), director of Gulf Goans Hotels Co. and the author of CD Calangute. In his brief speech the Chief guest appreciated the efforts of the organisers to keep this traditional art alive in Calangute making special mention to Salvador Silveira for his painstaking efforts to stage this Zagor. He also assured his full support if required to keep this art moving further. While concluding he said how as a young boy he used to go along with his mother to watch the Zagor staged in his locality and even naming some of the best Zagor artistes of yesteryears. Jerry Fernandes as a token of his appreciation gave 4 thousand rupees to two singing items.
The director Salvador Silveira addressing the gathering
I used to see Zagor about 50 years back in our locality and also in neighbouring villages and my view on this Zagor was not good because it contained lot of vulgarity in action and in terminology as well. Because of this low grade performance I stopped going regularly to see Zagor. During those days seeing Zagor means acquiring vulgarity and lowliness but now there is tremendous change in Zagor.
Parra Boys singing one of their song
What I noticed yesterday at Calangute, director Salvador Silveira introduced lot of changes in Zagor from the point of artistes to their performance with some minor irritants of old vulgar type which the director should delete next time. Most of the artistes participated in this Zagor were educated, decent and persons of caliber who brought elegance and beauty for this Zagor.
FC Goa song in progress
The musical score provided by the local Gumott – Madyem – Kansaem expert musicians was excellent. It was great to see them playing so beautifully with perfect timing and rhythm without applying the Solfa knowledge. I hope and wish someone must come forward to stage this excellent Zagor in other villages to make them aware of the greatness of this art.
Musicians with Gumot-Madyem-Kansaem
Salvadoebab deserved highest compliments to stage this Zagor so well by giving modern touch and keeping the soul of Zagor intact. I don’t understand why this director up to now not given a State Award for doing so much for Zagor and Tiatro. The concerned authorities and persons should apply their minds on this proposal to award him suitably.
Salvador Silveira and his partners singing one of their Trios.
With the exceptions of two very vulgar songs, both solos, all the songs deserve highest compliments especially on political topics. There were three songs on the loss of FC Goa in the final. Parra Boys’ quartets, Salvador’s trios, Stacy Mesquita’s songs are to be appreciated more. The songs on Fr. Bismark, Coconut and Goa deserve wider exposure. Director Salvadoro must apply his mind to spread this message because it cannot remain confined to the 4 walls of Calangute only.
The youngsters seen singing their trio.
Well done Salvador Silveira and his entire troupe including the excellent musicians who gave their best to make this Zagor a great success.
A.Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim, Goa.
Tel:7507394349.