GOENCHIM KONKNNI GAIONAM

 

CANÇõES GOESAS EM KONKANI

KONKANI SONGS FROM GOA

 

 

 

 

“Xiuntim mogrim ghe rê tuka,

Sukh ani sontos dhi rê maka.”

 

These Jasmine flowers I give to thee,

Joy and happiness givest thou to me.

 

Lourenço de Noronha

(Sontos Chodnakar)

 

.

 

Na rua da solidão

Sem alegrias nem dores

Habita o meu coração

A espera dos seus amores.

 

On the road of solitude

With neither joy nor pain

Lives my heart

Waiting for its beloved one.

 

Translated by Beatriz de Abreu Fialho Gomes

from Brazil, resident in Vienna

 

.

 

“When a Goan is not in love with a woman,

he is in love with life in its infinite variety

and

gives expression to it in a characteristic song.”

 

Lucio Rodrigues, M.A.

(1915-1973)

Department of English, Elphinstone College, Mumbai

in

Journal of the University of Mumbai, January 1959, p. 26

 

.

 


 

Contents

 

 

Preface                                                                                                                    

 

Contributors    : Short biographies                                                               

 

Names of plants and flowers mentioned in this compilation                      

 

Names of outstanding composers of mandos                                           

 

Bibliography: A selection                                                                             

 

Some types of traditional Konkani songs                                                    

 

Deknni, dulpod and mando: An attempt to write an essay
Don Untran / Preface

 

Aiz hem pustok Goenchim Konknni Gaionam uzvaddak haddunk amkam vhodd sontos ani obhiman bhogta. Ami rautanv konknni bhas uloitole ani ti apli Maim-bhas mhunn manun ghetele hem pustok khoxalkaien vapuddtole mhunn.

 

My father, António Vicente de Noronha, first introduced me to a study of Konkani Songs in 1959, during my short visit to our home village Chorão, Goa, and gave me a copy of the Album Cantarancho. Since then it has been my hobby collecting and studying the wide scope of songs in Konkani. Although the text of some songs in this compilation deviates from the standard version, I am re-publishing them as the researchers had them written down. The spelling of Konkani words is also retained as written by them. I have also published the music of these songs as transcribed by them. It needs to be edited by a professional musician.

 

The plural of deknni in Konkani remains the same, that of dulpod is dulpodam and that of manddo is mandde. In English it is deknnis and dulpods in the plural, mando in the singular and mandos in the plural. The translation into English should assist foreigners to understand the text but claims no literary merit. The botanical names have been provided by Romano Juliano Abreu of Satyawati Niwas, Bamburdem, Moira, Goa 403 514. The aspects “type, source, lyrics and music, date, musical form, literary form, published, translation” have been introduced by me.

 

I returned to Goa in December 2000 with the intention of making it again my permanent residence, and doing intensive field-research followed by documentation on the Konkani-Song. Owing to health problems I had to return to Vienna.

 

It is my intention to make this homepage an unedited data-bank of Konkani songs which will serve researchers as a base. I would be grateful to receive new contributions with text and music and a translation into English.

 

The copyright for the songs (dulpods and mandos) published by André Xett and translated by António Vicente de Noronha and Olivinho Gomes have been handed over to me. I claim no copyright. I would be only too happy if they find world wide circulation.

 

Lourenço de Noronha

 

 

Contributors

These short biographies were edited on 07.11.2004.

 

 

A short biography of

José António André Fernandes[1]

 

Written by

Romano Juliano Abreu

from Chorão, resident in

Satyawati Niwas, Bamburdem, Moira

Goa 403 514

 

José António André Fernandes was the ninth son of André Luis Fernandes and Lauriana Soares. He wrote the genealogy of his family and his autobiography on his 87th birthday in 1970 in Konkani and in Portuguese. His granduncle was working in the Portuguese mint. This Casa da Moeda de Goa was established in 1516 (Xavier, P.D. 1992: 17). Hence he and the following generations received the name of Xett, a Konkani word for “goldsmith”.

 

José António was born on 28th of April, 1884, in Boctavaddo, Chorão,[2] and died in the same village on 2nd December, 1980. He studied vocal music and violin in the school of St. Bartholomeu Church[3], Chorão, and attended the Portuguese Primary School up to Primeiro Grau in Escola Primaria in Chorão. He then attended an English-Medium School in Arpora, Goa, and continued his schooling at St. Xavier´s School in Bombay (now Mumbai). He worked in Cox & Co. Banking in Bombay for thirty Indian Rupees per month, and in 1910 he travelled by steamer to Mozambique, then Portuguese Africa. He started as a peon and was promoted to the status of a clerk in a bank in 1914. After retiring, he returned to his home village where he took an active part in the local cultural activities. He published four booklets with Konkani prayers and hymns in 1930, 1940, 1951, and 1954 and an Album Cantarancho in 1953 containing 104 mandos and 24 dulpods. He also handed over to posterity a manuscript dated 1971 with mandos.

 

 

A short biography of

António Vicente de Noronha

 

Written by his son

Alfredo Francisco Noronha

from Chorão, resident in

Alleluia Menezes Building, Altinho Panaji

Goa 403 001

 

António Vicente de Noronha was born in Pandavaddo, Chorão, on 14th March, 1895. He was the older of two brothers. His father Lourenço was a professional violinist in the service of the Maharaja of Baroda. His brother Anicio Sabino worked in the same profession in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

 

At a very tender age, as was compulsory in those days, António Vicente attended the church school of music in his home village. At the age of 20 he passed the Indian Matriculation Examination held at St. Xavier´s (Jesuit) College of the Bombay University, where he had studied, and thereafter joined the Posts and Telegraphs Dept. in Bombay as a clerk. In March 1919 he left for Tanganyika, being recruited by the Crown Agents Messrs. Cowasjee Dinshaw, Bombay. He sailed in an Arab dhow from Bombay to Dar es Salaam in just under three months. He worked in the District Administration in Tanganyika from 24.07.1919 to 03.07.1945, first as a clerk and then as an Accounts Officer.

 

After returning to India from Tanganyika, he took his wife, two daughters and four sons to St. Paul´s (Jesuit) High School in Belgaum, Maharashtra for schooling. There he worked in the Maratha Light Infantry from 15.09.1945 to 31.01.1946 and later as Supervisor in the Ration Office for about three years. He visited Tanganyika in 1949 for a short period and then returned to his home village Chorão, where he shared with André Xett their common interest “The Konkani Song”.

 

António Vicente was fluent in Konkani, Portuguese, and English and had a good knowledge of Hindi and Kiswahili. Due to a disciplined life and constant reading he was able to maintain his intellectual status and orally translate the Konkani songs in this collection in July 1981 at the age of 86. His son Lourenço, the editor of this compilation, noted down the translation. António Vicente passed away peacefully on 7th January ,1982 in Mapusa and is buried in the cemetery of the Bom Jesu Church in Nachinola, Goa.

 

A short biography of

Prof. Dr. Olivinho J. F. Gomes

University of Goa

Taleigão Plateau

Goa 403 206

 

taken from the backcover of his publications

 

Olivinho Gomes was born in Santo Estevam, Goa, in 1943. He studied at the Portuguese Lyceum, followed by studies in an English Medium College, acquired a Ph.D. in Sociology, and attended courses in Bharatiya Vidya Visharad (Indological Studies).

 

He is at present (2002) Director of the Centre of Konkani Development Studies, Head of the Dept. of Konkani and Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Literature, University of Goa. He is a member of the Goa Konkani Akademi and of the Executive Board of the Sahitya Akademi (National Academy of Letters) in New Delhi.

 

Just five of his numerous publications are mentioned in this short biography:

(Editor) Konkani Ramayana (Pre XVIth Century Ramayana in Konkani), 328 pp. Published in 1996 by The Registrar, Goa University, Taleigão Plateau, Goa 403 205.

Village Goa. A Study of Goan Social Structures and Change (his Ph. D. Thesis), 432 pp. Published in 1996 (1987) by S. Chand, New Delhi 110 055.

Old Konkani Language and Literature – The Portuguese Role, 924 pp. Published in 1999 by Konkani Sorospot Prakashan in Carvorim, Chandor, Goa 403 717.

Konkani Manasagangotri. An Anthology of Early Konkani Literature, 342 pp. Published in 2000 by Konkani Sorospot Prakashan in Carvorim, Chandor, Goa 403 717.

The Religious Orders in Goa (XVI –XVII Centuries). In Press 2002.

 

 


Names of plants and flowers

mentioned in this compilation of dulpods and mandos

 

Provided by

Romano Juliano Abreu

from Chorão, resident in

Satyawati Niwas, Bamburdem, Moira

Goa 403 514

 

Konkani                                  English                                   Botanical name

 

Abolim (Abulim)                     Amaranth                    Crossandra    Undulaefolia

Two to three feet tall shrub with dark green leaves and flowers used to make garlands.

 

Champo                                 Champakaw Pagoda Tree Plumeria Acutifolia

A small tree with smooth stem and scented flowers, red, yellow and white in colour.

 

Condo Man                            Bamboo                                 Bambusa Bambose

Tall perennial grass with hard stem used to build huts and to make mats.

 

Corno                          Indian Oleander                      Thevetia Nerifolia

Small sized tree with long narrow shiny leaves and yellow bell shaped flowers. It is infested with bumble bees.

 

Erond or Galamarac  Erond                                     Jatropa Curca

A soft wooded shrub used for green fencing.

 

Mogrim                                   Jasmine                                 Jasminum Species

Shrub with weak skin which needs support. It bears white scented flowers which are used in making garlands.

 

Pongero                                 Coral tree                               Erythrina Indica

Medium sized soft wooded tree with thorny trunk. It bears flame red flowers in summer. The wood is very light, hence used for boat-making.

 

Tulsi                                                                                       Ocinum Sanctum

 

Xiuntim (Xiumtim)                  Chrysanthemum                    Dendranthema Species

Small shrub bearing big flowers with many petals used in garlands and bouquets.


Names of outstanding composers

of mandos

 

Refer to Pereira, José/ Martins, Micael. 2000. Song of Goa. New Delhi: Aryan Books International. pp. 62-63 and 179-213.

 

 

Costa, Alexio António ( + c. 1940) from Loutulim, Salcete

            Pondra solla vorsam zallim

Costa, Ligório (1851-1919) from Curtorim, Salcete

            Sokanny´m furhem uttunum

            Tambrhe rozanch´ tuje pole

            Tuzo mogu chintileari

Costa, Mariano (1898-c.1931) from Curtorim, Salcete

            Dony tiny vorsam dekun raulim rê y aum-um

Coutinho, Caetano (1918-c. 1964) from Divar, Ilhas

            Tsondrimm rê udelo

Dias, António João (Chaplain in Benaulim: 1914) from Benaulim, Salcete

            Sangatu moga tuzo

            Sontap Distat Teã Cazareãchê

Estibeiro Viega da, Ermína (1890-1962) from Curtorim, Salcete

            Tuzo mogu mum rê y anja

Fernandes Inácio (1872-1927) from Curtorim, Salcete

            Estrelo faleavelem

            Aitrach´y aum-um missa´ votalim

Fernandes, Sebastião Costa (1875-1948) from Curtorim, Salcete

            Zaito tempu zalo

            Bollkvancheri rê boisotam

Figueiredo de, Torquato (1876-1948) from Loutulim, Salcete

            Kedim´chintily´m naim re y avem

            Adeus kortso vellu pauta

            Soglem dizgras mujem tsounum

Mascarenhas, Domingo (1864-1919) from Sangolda

Medanha e Costa, Luís (fl. 1922), Penha de France, Ilhas

Mello de, Frederico (1834-1888) from Benaulim, Salcete

            Sorgu nitoll go nirmollu

Menezes de, Arnaldo (1863-1917) from Curtorim, Salcete

            Anju munnum tum sorgintso

            Donim tiny chari muinnem zale

            Eko vorso zaly´m re moga

            Kosle zall vollvolle saiba

            Noketrancha porzoll´ saiba

            Suropaiech´ muja y anja

            Tsondrimancha uzvarhanum

            Vintsun karhilolea suka

            Zaitim dukam rê varoilim

Menezes, Eduardo (1862-1922) from Loutulim, Salcete

            Anju tum archanju

            Ek vorso maizo zalem

            Mirhmirheanchem mujem vido

Menezes, Luís Manuel (1866-1936) from Divar, Ilhas

Rebello, Gizelino (1875-1931) from Vernem (Verná)

            Koslem dizgras mum rê mujem

            Surya noketranche porim porzolleta

            Nitoll nirmoll sarkem anjachem

Rodrigues, Luzitano (…. 1943) from Raia, Salcete

            Estrel fanteaparavelem

            Mirhmirheantso mogu y amtso

            Donim chari vorsam zalim

            Dove rozeritso kollo

Silva, Paulo Milagres (1855-1931) from Loutulim, Salcete

            Eko vorso bolanddilem

 


Bibliography

A selection[4]

 

Refer to Pereira, José / Martins, Micael. “Goa and its Music”, in: Boletim do Instituto Menezes Bragança, Panaji. Nr.155 (1988) pp. 41-72 (Bibliography 43-55) for an extensive selection, and to the Mando Festival Programmes published by the Konkani Bhasha Mandal in Panaji for recent compositions.

 

Almeida, Mathew . 1988. Konkani Orthography. Panaji: Dalgado Konknni Akademi.

Angle, Prabhakar S. 1994. Goa: Concepts and misconcepts. Mumbai: The Goa Hindu Association Kala Vibhag.

Barreto, Lourdinho. 1984. Goemchem Git. Pustok 1 and 2. Panaji: Pedro Barreto, Printer.

Barros de, Joseph. 1989. “The first book to be printed in India”, in: Boletim do Instituto Menezes Bragança, Panaji. Tip. Rangel, Bastorá. Nr. 159. pp. 5-16.

Barros de, Joseph. 1993. “The clergy and the revolt in Portuguese Goa”, in: Boletim do Instituto Menezes Bragança, Panaji. Tip. Rangel, Bastorá. Nr. 169. pp. 21-37.

Borges, Charles J. (ed.). 2000. Goa and Portugal. History and development. New Delhi: Concept Publishing Co.

Borges, Charles J. (ed.). Goa´s formost nationalist: José Inácio Candido de Loyola. New Delhi: Concept Publishing Co. (Loyola is mentioned in the mando Setembrachê Ekvissavêru).

Bragança, Alfred. 1964. “Song and music”, in: The discovery of Goa. Panaji: Casa J.D. Fernandes. pp. 41-53.

Cruz da, E. 1994. “A study of deknnis”, in: Boletim do Instituto Menezes Bragança. Panaji, Goa: Tip. Rangel, Bastorá. No. 171, pp. 35-55.

Devi, Vimala/ Seabra de, Manuel. 1971. A literatura Indo-Portuguesa, 2 vol. Lisbon: Junta das Investigações do Ultramar.

Gomes, Olivinho J.F. 1996. Village Goa. New Delhi: S. Chand & Co. Ltd. pp. 325-358.

Gune,V.T. 1973. A guide to the collections of records from the Goa Archives, Panaji. Panaji: Historical Archives of Goa.

Kamat, Pratima. 1988. “Political life of nineteenth century Goa as reflected in its folk songs”, in: Shirodkar, P.P. (ed.). Goa: Cultural trends. Panaji: Directorate of Archives, Archaelogy and Museums, Govt. of Goa. pp. 229-242.

 

Kamat, Pratima. 1999. Farar Far. Local resistance to colonial hegemony in Goa 1510-1912. Panaji, Goa: Institute Menezes Bragança.

Kamat, Pratima. 2000. “Peasantry and the Colonial State”, in: Borges, Charles J. Goa and Portugal. History and development. New Delhi: Concept Publishing Co. pp. 133-158.

Khedaekar, Vinayak. 1985. Religion in Goan Folk Songs. A paper read on 23.04.1985 at the Local History Seminar organised by the Xavier Centre of Historical Research, Porvorim, Goa.

Lobo, Antsher. 1967. “Early reminences of Goan music”, in: Souvenir of the Third Mando Festival. Panaji: Konkni Bhasa Mandal.

MARG (Review of Arts), Marg Publications, 34-38 Bank Street, Mumbai.

Menezes de, António. 1978. Goa. Historical Notes. Panaji: Casa J.D. Fernandes.

Miranda de, Agapito. No date. Mando and its performance. Self-Publisher.

Olivera, F.X. 1971. Gitam Jello. Mumbai: F.X. Furtado Music House.

Pereira, Gerald. 1973. An outline of pre-Portuguese history of Goa. Panaji: Printed by Luis de Menezes at Diario da Noite Press.

Pereira, José. 1967. A sheaf of deknnis. Mumbai: Konkan Cultural Association.

Pereira, José. 1980. “Types of Konkani songs”, in: Indica. Mumbai: St. Xavier´s College, Institute of History and Culture. Vol. 17/2, pp. 123-137.

Pereira, José. 1992. Literary Konkani. A brief history. Panaji: Goa Konkani Akademi.

Pereira, José / Martins, Micael. “Goa and its Music”, in: Boletim do Instituto Menezes Bragança, Panaji. Nrs. 128 (1981), 144 (1984) pp. 75-82, 145 (1984) pp. 19-112, 153 (1987) pp. 89-108, 154 (1988) pp. 41-48, 155 (1988) pp. 41-72 (Bibliography 43-55), 156 (1988) pp. 25-40, 158 (1989), 169 (1993) pp. 67-77.

Pereira, José / Martins, Micael. 2000. A song of Goa. Mandos of yearning. New Delhi: Aryan Books International.

Pereira, Jose. 2003. Song of Goa. Mandos of Union and Lamentation. New
Delhi: Aryan Books International, Pooja Apartments, 4B Ansari Road, New Delhi 110 002.

Pereira, Jose. 2004. Folk Songs of Goa. Mando Dulpods and Deknnis. New
Delhi: Aryan Books International, Pooja Apartments, 4B Ansari Road, New Delhi 110 002.

Pereira, Rui Gomes. 1978. Goa. Hindu temples and deities. Panaji: Printwell Press.

Rodrigues, Lucio. 1954. “Konkani folk songs. No. 1: Mando“, in: Journal of the University of Mumbai. pp. 65-68.

Rodrigues, Lucio. 1955. “Konkani folk songs. No. 2: Deknni“, in: Journal of the University of Mumbai. pp. 65-75.

Rodrigues, Lucio. 1959. “Konkani folk songs. No. 3: Durpod“, in: Journal of the University of Mumbai. pp. 26-49

Sardessai, Manohar L. 1978. “Portuguese influence on the Konkani language”, in: International Seminar on Indo-Portuguese History. Mumbai: St. Xavier´s College.

Shastry, B.S. 1981. Studies in Indo-Portuguese history. Gandhinagar, Bangalore: IBH Prakashana.

Singh, K.S. (General Editor). 1993. People of India: Goa. Vol XXI. Anthropological Survey of India. Mumbai: Popular Prakashan Pvt. Ltd.

Souza de, Carmo. 2000. “ The village communities. A historical and legal perspective”, in: Borges, Charles J. Goa and Portugal. History and development. New Delhi: Concept Publishing Co. pp. 111-124.

Subrahmanyam, Sanjay. 1993. The Portuguese empire in Asia 1500-1700. A political and economic history. London: Longman.

Sukhthanker, Vinayak Sadashiw. 1974. “Songs of Goa”, in: Tales and Tellers of Goa. Asia Trading Corporation, 150, Brigade Road, Bangalore 25. pp. 59-121.

Velinkar, Joseph. 2000. “Village communities in Goa and their evolution”, in: Borges, Charles J. Goa and Portugal. History and development. New Delhi: Concept Publishing Co. pp. 124-132.

Xavier, P.D. 1992. Goa. A social history 1510-1640. Panaji: Prabhakar Bhide, Publisher.

 

Books and recorded music on this subject are available from the Pedro Fernandes Music Shop and the Sinaris Music Shop in Panaji.


Some types of traditional Konkani songs

besides deknni, dulpod and mando.

 

 

Fugrhi:            Dance song at Hindu religious festivals e.g. Ganesh.

Launnim:         Popular songs with religious themes.

Zotti:                Songs with Indian epic themes.

Duvallo:          Pregnancy songs.

Palnnam:        Lullabies.

Ovi:                 Songs with nuptial themes whose form was used by the early                             

Christian missionaries for Catholic hymns. The same form was also adapted to the text of the mandos.

Banvarh:         Religious songs for the deceased.

Talgarhi:          Songs of the Gaurhe and Harvi (Fishermen).

Fell:                 Songs of the folk drama.

Theatro:          Songs of the stage drama.

Zagor:             Songs of the Kunnbi folk play.

 


 



[1] During the early years of evangelization in Goa, it was customary for Portuguese nationals to be godfathers and godmothers, whose surnames were given to the newly baptized, thus replacing the traditional Indian surnames. (L. Noronha).

[2] Chorão, the present Portuguese version, was originally known as Chudamani (Xavier, P.D. 1993: 6). The inhabitans call it Chodna when speaking Konkani. (L. Noronha).

[3] Parish schools were established under Viceroy Dom João de Castro in 1545 by an Order of King João III of Portugal (Xavier, P.D. 1992: 192). The children were taught Christian doctrine, sacred music, Konkani, and Portuguese. The salaries of the teachers were paid by the communidades or confrarias i.e. Parish Council. (L. Noronha).

[4] For literature in Devanagri Konkani refer to the catalogue: Ghanekar, Damodar. 1995. Konkani Books. Panaji: Goa Konkani Akademi. (L. Noronha).