Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Poetry and music came together in a multilingual celebration in Panaji, with Goan poets reciting verses in Konkani, English, Portuguese, Hindi and Urdu alongside compositions by Portuguese guitarist Marta Pereira da Costa.
Titled The Many Moods of Monsoon, the event was organised by Dona Paula-based Communicare Trust in association with Instituto Camões – CLP and the Consulate General of Portugal in Goa. The evening explored the interplay between poetry, language and music, with each poem accompanied by a carefully selected composition from Costa’s repertoire.
The recital featured Goa-based poets Arthy Muthanna Singh, Asavari Gurav, Bhuvarahan Srinivas, Gargi Guha, Heta Pandit, Jeet, Mamata Verlekar, Rahul Vishwakarma, Sheela Jaywant, Tino de Sá, Vrushali Kelekar and Ruzai Dias.
Each poet chose a track based on the mood and rhythm of their poem. The programme reflected Goa’s diverse linguistic landscape, bringing together five languages through a common artistic platform.
Communicare Trust founder Nalini Elvino de Sousa said the event was part of the trust’s effort to promote languages and cultural exchange. She also highlighted Costa’s journey as a woman who has established herself as a professional Portuguese guitarist in a traditionally male-dominated field.
Poet and journalist Gargi Guha said Costa’s music provided a natural setting for poetry. She selected Movimento, saying its pace complemented the emotions of her poem without requiring any change to her recitation.
Writer, researcher and heritage activist Heta Pandit, who helped organise the recital, said poetry had the ability to bring people together, particularly as Goa becomes increasingly multilingual and cosmopolitan.
The programme concluded with an interactive open mic, giving members of the audience an opportunity to share their own poetry.
The event also served as a prelude to Costa’s live concert scheduled for September 24 at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. The concert will feature a collaboration between Costa and Goan sitar maestro Ustad Chhote Rahimat Khan, bringing Portuguese fado together with Indian classical music.
The concert will also support the community initiatives of Communicare Trust through a fundraising component.
