SHREE SAI DAMODAR GHUMAT ARTI MANDAL-MADGAO

The use of traditional musical instruments ghumat, kasale and shamel are obligatory while singing any kind of aarti or bhajan in a Goan temple. So integral is their presence that ghumat aarti competitions have been trending in Goa over the past years. However, the troupes that perform ghumat aarti are often overlooked. This is reason enough for the troupe ‘Shree Sai Damodar Ghumat Aarti Mandal’ to launch of a music album titled ‘Jaya He Damodara’ in an attempt to boost the ghumat aarti genre.

Consists of members including president Mohit Naik (chorus), secretary Shubham Naik (ghumat), treasurer Saiesh Fallary (chorus), Nitesh Matondkar (ghumat), Shubham Gawande (ghumat/shamel/kasale), Saheel Naik (ghumat), Shubham Hridaynath Naik (lead singer), Sai Naik (chorus), Shubham Shantaram Naik (chorus), Saish Naik (ghumat), Shankar Chari (ghumat), Rahul Lotlikar (chorus), Sujay Naik Though the ghumat, shamel and kasale are the main instruments used while singing aartis, harmonium is also used at certain competitions.

“The traditional musical instrument of ghumat is popular in Goa for its beat especially in Hindu devotional songs. Bhajans and bhakti sangeet are incomplete without instruments like ghumat, shamel and kasale,” says Mohit.

The troupe got its name from two devotional figures Sai Baba and Lord Damodar. “As we know, we think of Saibaba as a sweet and calm personality, while Damodar is a slightly angry incarnation of Lord Shiva. We merged the names of these two contradictory personalities and got the name of our troupe,” says Sai Naik.

The troupe took a lot of pains to find a proper guide to get trained at a professional level for competitions. “We wanted someone to guide us so that we can perform better and gain higher standards in ghumat aarti. Some people advised us that Suraj Pinge is one of the best guides and we approached him. We are glad that he leads our team as a guide today. He is the best composer in ghumat aarti” says Saiesh Fallary.

Suraj Pinge has been passionate about ghumat aarti since his college days. He was a member of Bhagweshwar Aarti Mandal, Talaulim, Ponda and later formed his the troupe Swar Siddhi Aarti Mandal, Verem and won the first state level ghumat aarti competition organised by Rajiv Gandhi Kalamandir, Ponda. Pinje left his day job in Pune to make his way into ghumat aarti again. “It gives me immense satisfaction. I feel really good that my students have launched their music album based on my composition and their efforts. This is the fourth music album I have in my list. I mentor 13 other troupes and some of my other troupes have also released their albums,” says Suraj.

The main aim behind launching a music album is to promote the troupe as well as ghumat aartis. “Competitions do not give you a lot of scope to shine in public. We have participated in many competitions but we are still not recognised in public. This music album will in a way help to popularise the troupe. Most importantly it will promote ghumat aarti. Those who have never heard ghumat aarti will recognise it through this album,” says Sai.

The troupe members are grateful to composer Sidhanath Buyao for the release of this music album. “Sidhanath Buyao has recorded, and mastered our recordings. Our effort would have remained incomplete without his assistance,” says Sai.