Opera singer and composer Oscar Castellino will premiere a Konkani Christmas carol set to the poetry of Manohar Rai Sardessai at the ‘Concerto de Natal’. In a tête a tête with NT BUZZ, he drops details on what the audience can expect
SHERYL GONSALVES
Internationally renowned for his singing today, Oscar Castellino first began his music journey in a boarding school in Mussoorie, where he learned harmonium and sang in the church choir. After moving to Mumbai, he joined the Stop Gaps Choral Ensemble. But it was in 2010 when Goan-origin opera singer Patricia Rozario visited Goa to give workshops, that he was first was introduced to opera. Both Rozario and Parvesh Java (Stuti Choral Ensemble conductor) encouraged him to pursue opera. He was later accepted at the Royal College of Music. Over the last few years, Castellino has been instrumental in singing and sharing Goan music across the world. He is now set to present a brand new carol.
Excerpts from the interview:
The new Christmas carol is set to the poetry of the late Manohar Rai Sardessai. How did the idea first come about? What drew you personally to his words?
When I perform opera, it’s usually in Italian, German, or French. I had never considered singing in Konkani until I heard a recording by Omar de Loiola Pereira of a wonderful original Konkani carol. I discovered it was by the great Manohar Rai Sardessai and Micael Martins. When I performed it at the Commonwealth Christmas Concert in London, the recording resonated deeply with many Goans. I was overwhelmed by how supportive people were of hearing Konkani sung in an operatic voice. This encouraged me to explore Sardessai’s works further, and I got in touch with his family. The poem ‘Ball Jezu Zolmolo’ struck a chord with me, so I set it to music. We’ll be premiering it at the concert.
How aware are people about the carol today?
Although the poem is well known, the tune I’ve created is brand new and has been arranged for instruments by Jason Quadros. We’ve released a few teasers, but it will truly come to life in the live performance at the concert on December 14. I’ve also set another of Sardessai’s works to music in a more operatic style—the poem ‘Jinnen Mhaka Sogle Dile’. It’s a rare Konkani work in the opera style!
What do you hope for after the release of this carol? Do you feel it’s time for a change from the same classic carols sung every year?
We have an incredible musical culture, and it surprised me to discover that original Goan Konkani and Goan Portuguese Christmas carols are seldom played or sung. I believe they deserve a place on our Christmas playlists! With this concert, I hope to reignite love for traditional Goan Christmas music and show that we can celebrate both the classics and our own rich heritage.
You’re also collaborating with Umesh Manohar Sardessai. How did this
partnership happen?
For every language I sing in, I like to work with someone who has a deep understanding of the language and texts. In the case of Manohar Rai Sardessai’s poems, I was very fortunate to connect with his son. In getting to know Umesh, I quickly realised he’s a wonderful lyricist himself. I had a tune that needed Konkani lyrics, and that’s how ‘Ailim Natalam’, a fun, upbeat Christmas song, was born.
In the promo reel for this concert, you appear in an elaborate costume. What was the idea behind that? Is that a hint for something?
The huge Narakasur installation at the Museum of Goa which is part of the ongoing ‘Festivals of Goa’ project is, to me, very operatic. That costume signals that you’re going to see a show that’s larger than life. The Christmas fair and concert on December 14 will be one of a kind— reinvigorating Goan Christmas traditions!
Which other Christmas carols will you be performing at ‘Concerto De Natal’?
Oscar Castellino and the Timemakers features some of Goa’s finest musicians – Jason Quadros, Chelsea D’Silva, Nahil Flores and Senon de Souza. We’re performing two Goan Portuguese carols and will get the audience to sing and dance with us for some beloved traditional carols. The final carol is a special Portuguese treat you won’t want to miss! The evening will open with ‘O Holy Night’, and Chelsea D’Silva will perform some jazzy Christmas favourites like ‘Santa Baby’.
Do you see this concert as a way of reclaiming Goa’s multicultural Christmas heritage?
Goa has some fabulous musicians. Since arriving here for rehearsals, the members of Timemakers have shown me what we can achieve when hard work and passion meet talent and skill. Many musicians and artists are working to preserve our rich multicultural heritage while also innovating. I hope my work contributes to this effort and helps keep our traditions alive for new generations.
(‘Concerto de Natal’ will be
held on December 14, 7 p.m. at the Museum of Goa, Pilerne.)
