Carols, Community and the Christmas Spirit in Goa

There is a special charm to Christmas in Goa. As the sun sets and the weather cools, the distant sound of voices and musical instruments fills the air. The familiar echo of Christmas carols signals the season and brings people together.From Midnight Mass to community celebrationOver the years, carol singing has grown beyond being merely a prelude to Midnight Mass. It has evolved into a heartwarming tradition that encourages participation, cultural exchange and community bonding.Children keeping the tradition aliveSunaparanta Goa Centre for the Arts recently hosted An Evening of Christmas Carols by the Ektaal Children’s Choir, conducted by Nayantara de Lima Leitão. “We train over 20 children throughout the year and perform at various concerts. Children learn quickly and are easy to train. We sing a wide range of carols with different melodies,” says Nayantara.A tradition that has evolved with timeSixty-six-year-old Marcus Fernandes from Taleigao reflects on how the tradition has changed. “When I was young, we went from house to house singing and collecting money for crib-making. Today, carol singing is more of a community gathering. The music is far more polished, very much in tune and melodious,” he says.Carols as a social experienceVeena Costa from Carenzalem, who attended an event in Panaji, notes that people travel from far to enjoy good carols. “My husband and I love attending these events as they allow us to connect with like-minded people. There’s usually a variety of local food on sale, and after the singing we often spend hours catching up with friends,” she says.Music that spreads joySinger and music director Vanessa Menezes began training a children’s choir in Margao after being approached by the Child’s Play India Foundation. “We’ve been rehearsing for about a month and have already performed in Margao and Saligao. The children are really enjoying the experience,” she shares.Fredrick Fernandes from Panjim, who has been singing in choirs for the past two years, adds, “We get to practise and sing these carols only once a year, but when we perform in public, many people join in. Knowing we can bring a smile to people’s faces makes it truly special.”