September 30, 2010

Preview: MUSICIAN - New Konkani Video Film from Kuwait by Shahu

By Gasper Crasto

Kuwait, Sept 29, 2010: Musicians usually specialize in particular types of music although there can be the opportunity to move between the genres. The job requires high levels of skill, expertise and dedication. Most musicians do their job as they have a passion for music.

Kuwait based Goan musician Shahu Almeida, first Goan musician to play a one-man band in dramas, has been playing a variety of music right from his young age. He ventures his skills into direction and singing in a Konkani songs video (DVD) album comprising select Goan artistes based in Kuwait.

The album, entirely shot and produced in Kuwait is scheduled to go public on 1st October 2010 at Kuwait Medical Association Hall, Jabriya, Kuwait.

For decades Konkani language songs 'Cantaram' on radio and on stage have been taking their cues from real life. Konkani singers are quick to get across their views, on life and day-to-day issues, with stunning boldness, criticism and satire.

Expecting the unexpected in 'Musician'

However, in a video film, the challenge any videographer faces is to create a video that keeps the ‘watcher’ captivated. It requires an extra effort spent on special effects and specialized editing techniques. Those who are new to the business may not have time to develop such techniques as they refine more basic capabilities—like learning to shoot efficiently or streamline their editing workflow—before finding the specialities. Ignatius Fernandes, the editor of the film realizes the time and burden that these demands add to a typical edit and has covered it up with a very decent cinema-photography.

‘Musician’ doesn’t have creative elements to boast of but it definitely portrays fabulous artistic quality in both Shahu the musician and Ignatius the videographer. The DVD has sparkling quality in clarity.

Being shot in Kuwait, many would expect the unexpected with Ignatius to exploit what the structural beauty of Kuwait City has to offer. Still, Shahu and Ignatius have done a tremendous job. Shooting a video-film in a country like Kuwait, known for it’s strict legislation for outdoor filming, is difficult indeed. But Ignatius, the young, budding filmmaker shows great potential and professionalism with a more than average creation.

Everyone loves to sing. Including me. They say singing voice of a human is the most capable and complex instrument that is known to man. There is a complicated collaboration of vocal cords, tongue, lips, teeth, the change of the pitch of the voice, the use of calculated breath restraint or release, volume, and ‘timbre’. The combination of this with techniques of vocal training gives a breathtaking result.

A well-known band leader of 2S#arp, a musical group in Kuwait, crooning non-stop medleys is a regular flamboyance for Shahu. In ‘Musician’, he has endeavored hard to voice the opening song and he should be appreciated for the effort. With time and experience, he should be able to make a remarkable progress.

There are songs that make you feel some kind of way about things that you go through in life, sequenced with scenes nicely enacted by Joseph Rodrigues, Agusto Morais, Adella Morais, Domnic Mascarenhas and the ever imitable Lawry Miranda.

Age in it’s mythic ways defines everyone individually in a co-existing, beautifully established world. The tune and lyrics of Rosary Ferns’ song Ponchtis Vorsam are incredible and once again shows the class of the seasoned singer.

Devak Zago Poilo

Many of our Goan singers have got a great drive to sing with their heart and their diaphragm. Sylvester Vaz and Irene’s song ‘Devak Zago Poilo’ is sure to captivate everyone. Some Konkani fans will not be able to get it out of their mind. The song is just too beautiful. Anyone can actually relate to this song. I do believe that Sylvester is just gifted not only with voice but also with the melodies. His song should receive very high acclaim and much positive reception for its magnificent composition.

Sylvester has another solo 'Konn Zait Tho' which is also rich and admirable.

‘Onupkari Put’ sung by Johny de Sirvodem and Gracy Morais has the most beautiful, inspiring and touching lyrics in modern times. The song continues in such a way that one is bound to cry the first time they sit down to watch it.

Gracy has a sweet, tender voice. The words sound so amazing and real in her expression. When I hear her voice, I always imagine she is singing to me. The song is gonna capture everyone’s attention and soul.

Kuwait's Trio Kings

The DVD consists of 2 solid trios by Cajetan de Sanvordem-Mario de Majorda-Michael de Silva. Cajetan de Sanvordem is blessed and he never disappoints. His voice and music in the song ‘Global Crisis’ are in sync and you know what, people will love his ‘rhythmic style’ whilst singing. Michael D'Silva is a sterling composer-singer in his own right. With Kuwait’s popular artiste Mario de Majorda, the threesome put up a great treble voices of Segundo-premier-bass. I’d give the song a 12/10 given the existing situation in the world, and especially in the middle-east.

The trio’s other song on ‘Kuwaitchi Margai’ is commendable too. Some people would find it undeniably confusing though, the way Michael proclaims ‘atam dinarak viktat Sadia Chicken’ in the chorus, as the price of chicken displayed visibly reads 795 fils in Arabic!

The last verse of the song is also ‘chilling’ in its implication. Not many will appreciate projecting the ‘local’ drinks which are arguably unfamiliar to most people in this non-alco-holy country. For sure nobody wants to soil innocent Kuwait or project the country to the outside world otherwise!

Katty de Navelim sings ‘Dadlo’ in his most powerful voice. His lyrics perhaps come from personal experience. I honestly feel sorry for always having to have experienced these emotions myself, even if, without the experience Katty would never have written the song.

'Maim ani Pai’ sung by little Gaynelle and Jeremiah is amazing indeed and nicely filmed, but I feel awful even attempting to understand the pain and anguish written in it. And ofcourse, the picturisation of the aristocratic looking Jeremiah and Gaynelle, one may feel, fails to bring the desired misery and sadness to the song.

Comedy Queen Querobina makes her presence felt with ‘Sri-Lankan’, supported by Emalio.

‘Amchea Bapa’ by Bab Agnel is so significant and means so much, because it reminds us that even when we feel completely wise in the world, we are not. There will always be someone else who feels the same too.

The lyrics of Edward’s ‘Almaar’ are good and sung with a pleasant, smiley face, backed by excellent flow of music by Shahu and his troupe. However, the melody is too Goaniversal to be an all-time standout.

I am sure the video will go well with fans. But Konkani speaking audiences worldwide are much wiser by the day. People do not view videos as just a way to kill time, they judge. That people don’t compliment or comment too openly is a different matter. However, Shahu’s debut album seems to be much ahead of time. Let’s hope and pray, artistes in Kuwait get together with the maestro and make more amazing videos in days to come.

The digital Video CD, lovingly dedicated by Shahu to his beloved parents, should reach everybody out there who’s not yet heard of the great ‘Musician’.



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2 S#arp to miss this band...