Rising star of the wind section

Young trumpeter Jeslyn Rodrigues wants to change the misconception that wind instruments are too physically demanding for women

J.P. PEREIRA

Jeslyn Rodrigues comes from a deeply musical lineage. Her great grandfather, Diogo Rodrigues was the choir master at the Guardian Angel Church in Curchorem. Her grandfather Abdonio Rodrigues meanwhile was known as the ‘ace drummer of Goa’ and performed worldwide. Her own parents Jane Fernandes and Savio Colman Rodrigues are also musical and her father especially is a dedicated musician playing trumpet and drums in brass bands.

“Watching my father and grandfather perform with such passion, sparked my desire to carry forward the family legacy through the trumpet, with support of my parents,” says the Curchorem-based musician who is presently a student at the Government College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Quepem, which she claims is a very supportive institution.

Mestre Jerome Rodrigues, a musician from Paroda trained her in music and Jeslyn began playing in brass bands at the age of 12. Three years later, she was approached by Dominic Coelho, to play for his tiatr, ‘Sunneachi Xempdi’. Later, she played with Norman Cardozo who was forming an all-girls band to back ‘Tumich Mhaka Sangat’ by Sammy Tavares. She continued for another two seasons and at present she plays with Norman, in Lawry Travasso’s ‘Hea Tiatr-ak Nanv Dhi’.

Other tiatrs that she has played for include ‘Grandma’ and ‘Sasumaim, Dhuv vo Sun?’ by Sammy Tavares.

“Besides this, I’ve also done a project under Jazz Goa and also performed in another all-girls band under Lulu Fortes,” she says.

In particular, Jeslyn is striving to break stereotypes surrounding women and wind instruments. “There is a common misconception that wind instruments are too physically demanding for women and meant for men. This is simply not true!” she says, adding that she would like parents to encourage their children, especially girls to pursue this instrument. “Offer them support and provide the resources like my parents did. Do not let societal perceptions or stereotypes hold them back,” she says.

As she continues pursuing her music, Jeslyn, who is grateful to God for her talent, hopes to refine her craft further and be a regular face in both traditional Goan music and contemporary genres like Jazz. “I also hope to see a day where Goa has its own expert repair workshop for all instruments so we don’t have to travel to Mumbai for maintenance,” she says.

Speaking about the relevance of tiatr today, Jeslyn states that the art form remains a vital platform for Goan culture and it is evolving. “While it is often associated with specific traditions, it is becoming a space where versatile wind instruments can be showcased in new ways. However, we need more inclusive initiatives and structured music education programmes in Goa to ensure the music in tiatr stays technically proficient and vibrant,” she says.