Goa's unique musical protest against golf course project

Goa's unique musical protest against golf course project

Tuesday July 07, 2015,

2 min Read

A group of musicians have been protesting the proposed golf course project in Goa by singing songs on the streets in the state every Sunday. Several musicians have started singing songs of protest and revolution at Mapusa, Margao and Panaji urging common citizens to join the protests against the proposed project at Tiracol village in North Goa, alleging that the project will have immense environmental impact on the surrounding areas.


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“The first protest happened three weeks back on Sunday in front of historic Mary Immaculate Conception Church in Panaji. The aim was to create awareness against the project,” said Sudeep Dalvi, a singer, who has joined chorus with others like Siddhanath Buyao (singer), Carlose Gonsalves (drummer), Vico Rodrigues (Guitar) and Eliath Fernandes (Violine).

The group is called ‘Save Tiracol, Save Goa’ which also has Catholic priest-turned-activist Fr Bismark Dias supporting them. “The idea of protest came up during discussion with my friend Benjamin Pinto (band Euphoria). We suggested to have a concert to create awareness. The concert was planned without any stage, mike or sound system,” Dalvi said.

After the protest in Panaji, the group protested in Mapusa and Margao markets. “Next Sunday we are going to Tiracol to protest,” said Dalvi, who clarifies that the group is a non-political outfit. I had read a lot about the golf course project and when the idea came up of a protest, I immediately picked it up,” said Buyao, whose father late Ulhas Buyao was known for such musical protests during historic Opinion Poll held in Goa in 1967, according to PTI.

“Music can move people and we are using the medium. It is the most non violent medium,” Buyao said. The locals are opposing the project conceived by M/S Leading Hotels Private limited claiming that it will have immense environmental impact on the surrounding areas. The sporadic violent protests against the project were witnessed during recent past in the village. State government has been backing the golf course, while the hotel company which is setting up the project has said it will be most environment friendly project.

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