About Me
A Note from the Artist
When traditional Goan folk songs are sung, they carry a deep resonance with the heartbeat of our land and the generations of women who shaped its cultural legacy. The purpose is not merely to perform, but to preserve and share the soul of our heritage. Every song that is safeguarded becomes a bridge, connecting our rich cultural roots with audiences around the world who seek to experience the true spirit of Goa. Thank you for joining this musical journey.
Meet the Artist
Affectionately known as the "Dhalo Girl" of Goa, she is a dedicated cultural artist and singer committed to preserving the essence of traditional Goan music. Rooted in the region’s rich artistic heritage, she specializes in performing Dhalo—the vibrant, ritualistic folk songs traditionally sung by women. Through her compelling voice and active involvement in regional media and cultural initiatives, she bridges generations and ensures that authentic Goan folk traditions continue to inspire and resonate across modern platforms.
My dance and musical Journey
1. Breaking Barriers: Early Roots and the Ghummat
My bond with rhythm and music began long before formal classes. Even at the age of five, I felt a deep, instinctive love for the Ghummat. Growing up as a girl child, playing the Ghummat meant breaking social stigmas and challenging traditional boundaries that kept girls away from percussion instruments. That early defiance and pure love for rhythm laid the foundation for everything that followed.
My formal musical journey began with primary lessons under Shri Savlo Chodankar. Today, I am proud to continue my growth as a disciple of Shri Dayanand Patekar, a renowned harmonium player from Goa. While I still sing bhajans whenever I visit temples, my heart and primary focus lie firmly in folk music.
2. The Bharatanatyam Journey: Dedication, Pause, and Completion
Alongside music, dance became an inseparable part of my identity as a multi-dimensional artist. I completed six years of classical Bharatanatyam training under the guidance of Smt. Sapna Naik Kochrekar. I had hoped to become one of the youngest students to complete Bharatanatyam at the age of 15, but due to unforeseen circumstances, I had to pause my classes.
Years later, at ages 23 and 24, my passion brought me back to dance. I became the disciple of Guru Vidushi Lalan Desai—a direct disciple of Dr. Suchita Bhide Chapekar from Pune. I completed five rigorous years of training at the Kalangan Center for Performing Arts in Madgaon, ultimately clearing my Visharad exam to earn a valid Visharad certificate. Today, I continue to keep this passion alive through live performances.
3. National and International Milestones: Taking Goan Folk to the World
My training as a Bharatanatyam dancer deeply shaped my musical foundation, familiarizing me with Carnatic music formats, talas, and complex rhythms. A major turning point arrived when I began working with banglanatak.com, an organization that recognized my folk talent. This collaboration led to the recording of a CD titled the Ganga Zuari River Project, making me the first Goan to represent women’s voices from Dhalo on a national stage.
Following this, I performed Dhalo alongside my Bengali co-artists at the Sur Jahan Musical Festival. In the subsequent year at the festival, I had an incredible opportunity to collaborate with an Irish band called Madagán. They were deeply interested in blending Konkani and Irish folk music, which led us to create a digital album titled The MadaGoan Ensemble. Recorded in Goa and mastered in New York City, the album features unique, beautiful fusions of Konkani and Irish musical numbers that I sang.
Beyond folk, I have had the privilege of exploring diverse Goan musical styles, including traditional Cantaram, Goan Pop and Light/Brass Music. This versatility has allowed me to share the stage with legendary artists like Sonia Shirsat, Hema Sardesai, and Lona. My musical journey has also taken me across international borders to Dubai, Kuwait, and Tunisia, where I was warmly applauded by audiences. In Kuwait, I had the distinct honor of performing in a special show alongside renowned Arab artist Mubarak Al-Rashid. Representing these diverse musical forms on global stages has allowed me to showcase the true, multifaceted soul of Goan soil.
4. Celebrating Goan Roots and Expanding Horizons
I have performed in almost every part of Goa, showcasing the immense richness of our music and proving how traditional instruments—such as the Ghummat, Shamel, Dob, Kassale, Dhol, and Tasso; can be curated to create a powerful musical ensemble. Through my team, Goem Gaaz, and my dedicated co-artists, we continue to bring the authentic heartbeat of Goan folk music to life.
My musical journey is a continuous evolution. Though I am now based in the United States, my heart remains deeply anchored in the soil of Goa. Carrying our melodies across borders has opened doors to explore diverse world musical traditions, blending our ancestral sounds with global rhythms. Wherever my journey takes me, my mission remains steadfast: to serve, honor, and champion the music of Goa in the best way possible, building a permanent bridge between our timeless traditions and the wider world.