Whether it’s plugging in ear pods and tuning into a song like Fix You after a rough day or blasting Dil Chahta Hai in the car on a buddies’ road trip, music is an inseparable part of everyone’s lives. Brightening the mood, and bringing all together, music somehow works its own magic.
And if you want to experience some of that, on the eve of Republic Day, the ‘Concert for Goa’ by Susmit Sen is bringing unforgettable tunes to the Museum of Goa in Pilerne. As an added bonus, the launch of Sen's latest album will further set the stage for an evening of pure musical bliss.
In 2011, founder and lead guitarist of India’s longest-running fusion-rock band, Indian Ocean, Susmit Sen embarked on a solo journey and formed Susmit Sen Chronicles. Talking about the upcoming concert being a significant milestone for Susmit Sen Chronicles, he says, “It’s where we will be launching ‘Azaadi’ and performing.”
Revealing the Goan influences, his latest work ‘Azaadi’, has two Konkani songs – ‘Saiba Tandela’ (Master Boatman) and ‘Kuvar’ (The Prince) penned by Umesh Sardessai, son of renowned Konkani poet, Manohar Rai Sardessai, whom Sen himself chose to write the lyrics.
“Umesh has imbibed several methods of expressing things the Goan way. Anyone who speaks Konkani and has heard the song agrees the lyrics are very deeply rooted in Goan culture. The Goan artist I’ve collaborated with on the album is percussionist Carlos Gonsalves, who has played the drums and traditional Goan ghumat,” shares Sen.
Looking forward to enthral the audience at the beautiful venue, Sen says with excitement, “I would love them (the audience) to take away a fantastic amalgam of emotions that will be evoked by the various compositions we will be playing on that day.” Sen will be performing in front of the visually-striking ‘Carpet of Joy’ art installation created by Dr Subodh Kerkar.
Excited on this collaboration with Sen, Sharada Kerkar, the Operational Head at MOG and co-founder of the Children’s Art Studio, Pilerne, reveals, “When he (Susmit Sen) visited the museum, drawn to our ‘Carpet of Joy’ installation, he expressed interest in performing here. This collaboration blossomed into a unique concert experience, where music and visual art converge.”
She adds, “We believe that all forms of art must dialogue with each other, and this concert is the best example of one art falling in love with the other.”
On January 25, Susmit Sen Chronicles has a line-up of artistes skilled in a wide range of music, from Indian classical and rock to folk and psychedelic improvisations – Susmit Sen on the guitar, vocalist Gayathri Natarajan, keyboardist and vocalist Sudheer Rikhari, Carlos Gonsalves on the drums and ghumat and Tatyana Dichenko on the piano.
“The performance at the Museum of Goa will be a two-fold new experience for me as I will be playing there for the first time, and it will also be the debut live performance with all members of Susmit Sen Chronicles,” says Goa-based Russian pianist Tatyana Dichenko, quickly adding, “I love performing live – for me, it’s a feast.”
While the event promises some raga-rock brilliance, concert-goers will also get to indulge in delicious food and beverages with a Goan flare, along with the opportunity to purchase beautiful handcrafted items that celebrate the spirit of Goa at a pop-up named ‘Kokum Corner’.
“As we’re simultaneously celebrating the launch of ‘Azaadi’, and MOG entering its 10th year, we invite art enthusiasts from across Goa to join us for an evening of music and celebration,” says Kerkar extending an invite to all.
DETAILS
WHAT: Concert for Goa by Susmit Sen
WHERE: In front of the ‘Carpet of Joy’ art installation at the Museum of Goa (MOG), Pilerne, North Goa
WHEN: January 25, 2025
TIMING: 8.30 pm
BOOK YOUR SPOTS: Tickets via Paytm Insider (https://insider.in/susmit-sen-chronicles-concert-for-goa-jan25-2025/event)
CONTACT: +91 8940149300