Carlos Gonsalves Promotes Without Borders

An age-old percussion instrument synonymous with Goan music culture, the  ghumot, which was declared Goa’s heritage instrument in 2019, continues to live on through celebrated Goan percussionist Carlos Gonsalves’ adopting and adapting its classic sound for contemporary music, most recently noted in Susmit Sen Chronicles’ latest album ‘Azaadi’ (Freedom).

As part of the band, Susmit Sen Chronicles, founded by Indian fusion rock maestro Susmit Sen, Gonsalves’ playing of the  ghumot (an earthen potshaped percussion instrument with a membrane stretched over the vessel’s mouth) makes a significant contribution to the album, Azaadi. Susmit Sen Chronicles delivered an electric performance, including tracks from the album, at the ‘Concert for Goa’ at the Museum of Goa (MOG), Pilerne, on January 25.

Gonsalves says he was compelled to introduce the  ghumot to the album after being inspired by the Goan flavour in the tracklist, which includes two Konkani tracks, ‘Saiba Tandela’ (Master Boatman) and ‘Kuvar’ (The Prince), written by Goan songwriter Umesh Sardessai, the son of Goa’s Lok Kavi Manohar Rai Sardessai.

“When the tracks for Azaadi were being discussed and I heard the Konkani lyrics and accompanying melodies, I could hear my Goan roots shine and immediately pictured myself adding the  ghumot’s beats. On playing it in the studio, which was wellreceived, I got the go-ahead to experiment and added my improvisation,” he says.

Susmit Sen Chronicles’ album, which was unveiled and performed with a number of other tracks on the eve of Republic Day at MOG, marked a momentous occasion for both the museum, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and the band.

“The album Azaadi is a fusion of cultures, and on the title track, I fuse the drums and the  ghumot in a short solo. This mixing of cultures is a reflection of MOG’s ethos, which makes it the ideal location for this performance, especially in front of the ‘Carpet of Joy’. Different forms of art and creativity converge at MOG, which creates a strong connection between

the museum, the music and instruments played,” he muses.

Renowned as the cheer drummer for the state’s Indian Super League football club FC Goa and professional franchise cricket team Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gonsalves is also recognised for his contributions to the field of music as a percussionist and for assisting in finding a sustainable substitute for the endangered monitor lizard skin membrane of the  ghumot. He was recently conferred the prestigious REX Karmaveer Jyoti award, which was instituted as a tribute to former President of India APJ Abdul Kalam.

“We had several discussions with relevant authorities to find a sustainable alternative for the skin of the monitor lizard, which is currently endangered due to rampant wildlife trafficking. The  ghumot has also been granted heritage status without the monitor lizard skin, which is good. At present, we are utilising goat skin, which comes quite close sonically,” Gonsalves states.

Gonsalves is eager to raise a new generation of  ghumot players to ensure that the instrument's legacy does not die. “I have put in a request to the state government to introduce this instrument in schools and encourage children to play. Every year, I go to the Nirmala Institute of Education in Altinho and teach them to play the  ghumot; at present, the institution has invested in 60 to 70  ghumots, which is wonderful,” he says.

Through his ‘Taking Gumot to the World’ project, Gonsalves has been raising awareness about the percussive versatility of the  ghumot wherever he travels, having gifted one to legendary American jazz fusion drummer Dave Weckl. He is also looking to follow a similar trajectory to the late Ustad Zakir Hussain, who introduced the tabla to the world, and encouraged Gonsalves to do the same with the  ghumot.

“Zakir bhai (brother) was a good friend of mine. He told me, ‘Carlos, God has given you a small but great treasure in the form of your musical talent, and I treasure what you have.’ This has always inspired and encouraged me to continue playing,” Gonsalves concludes.