Zorro- The Rise of Capoeira in Goa

By MDT for Goa Backstage Feb 2013

Although the current trend in Goa's Martial Art niche is mostly succumbed to Karate, Judo or taekwan-do, Capoeira, is on the rise to popularity amongst the Goan people.

For those who do not really know what Capoeira is all about. This short interview takes initiative to acquire a clear understanding of this Marital Art by Introducing Goa's very own Capoeira master, Zorro of "Capoeira Goa". (Cordão de Ouro) 

 A Graduate in B.E, Computer Science from Mysore, Zorro worked as a Software Consultant until he decided to pursue Capoeira full time. Having Portuguese influence and a similar background as Brazil, Capoeira has found a cozy home here in Goa, as has Zorro.  To get acquainted to Capoeira, Zorro is asked a few questions about himself and this unique Martial Art.  

Q: What is Capoeira?

A: Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that combines many elements together such as; dance, music, culture, acrobatics and fun. It’s a sport, a game, a language, and a self-defense form. Capoeira provides freedom, true self-expression, focus and a sense of community. 

Q: Tell us about the origin and History of Capoeira.

A: Capoeira originated from rituals of Africa and native Brazilians. It emerged from the hunger for freedom. Discovered by the Portuguese in the 1500’s, colonization brought to Brazil enslaved African people. They needed a way to defend. Hence, the aesthetics of Capoeira emerged from slaves being bound by chains that developed into Capoeira of today.

Back then; it was a way of resistance that developed into attack and defense techniques. It was the weapon to fight oppression during the slavery time.

Q: What intrigued you to learn Capoeira?

A: What amazed me the most was the graceful movement of a Capoeirista with the rhythm of the beat. It started as physical fitness, but I realized that Capoeira provides an opportunity to learn a new language, rhythm, music, culture, quick reflexes and so much more.

Q: How old were you when you started Capoeira?

A: I started at twenty-three.

Q: Where did you learn?

A: I learnt Capoeira from Instructor Baba in Mumbai, who introduced Capoeira to India in 2006. 

Q: How long have you been teaching this art?

A: I started in 2011 with assisting Baba and teaching kids of all ages in a few international schools. I moved to Goa in August 2012. My first class was at Tito's White House, Anjuna.

Q:  It is a brilliant idea to introduce formal classes of Capoeira to Goa, tell us why you chose to instruct in this particular location?

A: Goa is an ideal place for Capoeira.

In many ways it is similar to Brazil. The proximity to the sea, language of Portuguese, presence of rhythm and music in the Goan community, love for football, the carnivals. Goa is the Brazil of India.

Q: Can anyone learn?

A: Yes, anyone can learn.

Q: When showing up for classes, what kind of experience would we expect?

A: Expect a sweaty and wholesome workout and to have fun, do something new, get flexible and strong. Learn new musical instruments, a new language, to fall and get up again.

Q: Please tell us, what makes a great Capoeirista?

A: Apart from understanding the philosophy, history and emotions behind the birth of Capoeira, a great Capoeirista trains regularly. Not only moves, but also music, language and control. A great Capoeirista has good control of their emotions. When challenged by an adversary, anger can take over and focus is lost. The fight might be won, but the game is lost. A good Capoeirista will be able to hide emotions and use it to their advantage. It’s the game of Capoeira.

Bikers Paradise 1- Gears

Shift Your Gears into a Wiser Rider

By MDT for Goa Backstage

Goans motorbike enthusiasts and riders “GEARS” are revolutionaries in the Goan Biking scene. Founded on Facebook in 2011, there are now two hundred members that share the passion for travel on two wheelers that ride with pride. Now with a one-year anniversary Gears is proud to be a Goan biking community in which opinions, experiences pictures, events and news are shared among bike enthusiasts. Gears advocates that you don't have to be a hard core biker to join, as long as you have a passion for the two wheel mean machines, you're in.

GEARS, is an initiative to bring together the Goan Bikers into a community with one single mindset, "to ride" and share each other’s enthusiasm and passion for bikes. Gearheads will accept you with open arms whether you ride scooters such as Honda Dio, or super bikes, dirt bikes or classic cruisers. The GEAR community organizes rides and events in and around Goa on a regular basis that aids Gearheads from all over Goa to connect, show off their machines and ride.

Biking has an important influence in the history of Goa. From the early days, the two-wheeler machines have been the joy of Goans. As a preferred use of transport, the bike is simply a perfect icon of Goa. From the olden days of Rajdoots, Java, Enfield and other classics, to the 90's RX 100's, and early 21st century faster bikes pulsars, Karismas to today’s super bikes such as CBR, Harley's, mean machine Duke and the new Impulse the popular and perfect bike for Goa.

Although there is a high toll of motorcycle accidents, Bikers in Goa still hold true to their love for the two wheelers and is still a popular means of transport despite the influx of cars our small narrow roads.

  

With faster machines been made, better and larger roads and allot more traffic, bikes have now a tarnished reputation among our Goan population. With more cars on the roads, the bikes have less importance and are regarded as an annoyance to car drivers. This is also why GEARS advocates safe and aware riding with proper road rule knowledge and appropriate motorcycle gear such as, Helmets, gloves, biker shoes etc. This is what makes GEARS different from other Biker groups in Goa. This community is more than just organizing events and shows. GEARS have a deeper side to it, which elaborates in the importance of safety and wise riding. It raises awareness to respect the road and fellow motorcyclists while exemplifying the passion for the aesthetics and mechanics of Bikes.

If you want to be a GEARHEAD then join the Group GEARS on Facebook to enjoy and be a part of the group's postings, news, pictures and events.

Gears are Goa's one initiative to bring together all kinds of bikers and passionate motorcycle enthusiasts all around the state. Remember to respect the road, wear your gear, show off your bike and still be a wise, dirty cool rider.

GOA TANGOS!

IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO

By MDT for Goa Backstage 

What brings people to Goa? Is it the paradise like metaphors that hang around? Such as the succumbing heat, the lush coconut trees, the beaches and riding around on two wheelers? Or is it our music scene and way of life that intrigues visitors to venture into the Konkan? Perhaps it is all of the above. However for one particular visitor in focus, it is not only nature, music and culture, but love, passion and romance and dancing feet. Maike Brummerloh, Tango Instructor has come to Goa mainly for her Fiancé but has also begun to spread Tango fever.

Originating form Germany, Maike encompasses music, culture, love, passion and romance with dance. And there surely, there is no other more passionate dance form other than Tango. As the old saying goes, “it takes two to Tango” and is danced between a man and a woman exposing moves, so gracious, deep and passionate as an unending love. And this is what Maike brings new to Goa, an opportunity to re-ignite the passion that already lives in us Goankars, the passion to dance. How did Maike get into instructing Tango? Goa Backstage takes an exclusive look into the life of Maike Brummerloh.

Maike Comes form Bremen in North Germany and had encountered beginner Tango classes in Berlin while attending university for German literature and Philosophy. It was there that Maike signed up for Tango classes and Ballroom. At this point Maike’s passion for ballroom dance was ever growing. After dancing a few competitions, Maike encountered a few professional Tango Argentino dancers. Since her hometown of Bremen, had no Tango teachers and so Maike set out to stay in Berlin to study and to dance.

“After my master degrees, I spent two years as a directors assistant in different theater projects. At the same time, I did a course to learn how to be a Tango Teacher. That is when I was dancing up to five times a week and danced for three, to nine hours without a break. That is the Tango-Fever”

Maike also explain that the Tango-Teaching-Course included learning how a brain functions and controls the body in dance. In Europe this is a well-known method of Moshe Feldenkrais. Maike was very interested in this method and studied a bodywork method called Grinberg for more than three years. “The Grinberg method is based on developing and focusing our attention to choose, how we relate to pain and fear, so we can deal with it much easier, than we are used to”.

After being successfully self-employed with Grinberg for two and a half years, Maike decided to go on a trip around the world. The trip started in Goa, and well two years later Maike is still in Goa, spreading the Tango.

So how did the Tango fever start to spread all over Goa? Maike explains that she did not intentionally want to be a Tango Instructor here, it just kind of happened.

“A young woman, like me, very fascinated by Tango and it’s music was awed when she found out I could teach the Tango. But without knowing how to dance the moves, she begged me for weeks to show her the basics, in which I did. Then people just started to get to know me down here and the response is full of surprises and very interesting”

So there we have it, a young woman’s passion for dance proves infectious and before we know it the whole of Goa will be high temperature and “tango-ing” their drive for passion and romance.

About another DJ Anish Sood

Written by MDT for Goa Backstage Magazine.

This edition of Goa Backstage we peer into the depths of what made a DJ a DJ, the answer is as usual, it is Goa and its Musical people.

“A DJ set is like a story. It needs to have just the right mix of dance and emotion”

ANISH SOOD.

“I’m a huge music buff. I spend a lot of time listening to almost every genre under the sun ranging from ambient electronica to death metal and everything in between,” says Anish Sood, one of Goa's talented DJ’s. Working a full time job with his family business, Anish splits the rest of his free time in his studio making music, flexing muscles in the Gym and chilling with mates. Being a third generation Goan, Anish has caught on the Goa music vibe since a young age “I’ve always had a natural affinity towards music. My dad and uncle are both guitarists”.

As many of us Goans, this dude has made something out of his love for music by spreading the love and great vibes of music. Sharing tunes on a larger scale brings a deeper satisfaction to all musicians and DJ’s. However, Anish is not only a guy that spins records, he also makes his own tunes and this is what makes a truly unique Disk Jockey. “I’ve grown up surrounded by music and I think the early exposure plays a large impact in how you think when you are planning a live set or writing in the studio.”

Being a Music buff, one is compelled to explore many different genres, in which it allows a person to grow and experiment as an artistic self and not be confined to only one genre or only one style. As Anish Sood explains “ I broadly play a mix of electro and progressive house. I keep experimenting with new genres like dub step. I also dabble with tech house and techno. So it’s just a matter of what sounds good to me and what I pick depending on the venue or crowd”. Anish also explains to why it is better to be open and experiment with different genres as “The music industry is so competitive today that you need to constantly innovate to stay on top of the game, the moment you try and pigeon hole yourself into a single sound, somebody fresh who is willing to take risks will replace you”.

As for something fresh and new, it is becoming the trend to infuse live music into a live DJ set. For example India’s innovative electro bands such as Jalebee Cartel and Medieval Pundits. Goa Backstage asked Mr. Sood what his opinion is on the flexibility of a DJ fusing with a live musician, such as a lead guitarist. Anish replies

“We’d love to have more live musicians on stage but we need people who have the creative mindset to be able to work with 4x4 dance music as well as flexibility from venues and festivals in terms of budget and stage production, but with modern technology there are tons of options where DJs can now sync with live musicians”

As for Anish Sood's creative development Goa Backstage has the privilege to inform the readers that” Catapult” his debut single released last year has opened doors to more creative endeavors as we expect an EP collaborating with ex-MTV VJ Ramona Arena (vocals) and we are to expect another EP due this year.

So the rising star hailing from Goa has the skies as the limit. Having a second EP in progress and having opened for David Guetta for an audience of 15’000 people, Anish Sood will surely have more opportunities in this DJ career. He further explains that making music and creating sets is an art and exposes feelings within “A DJ set is like a story. It needs to have just the right mix of dance and emotion. That is what the art lies in.”

Goa Backstage asked Anish Sood to compare the music scene between India and the West, he replied “We’re still a very young and growing scene here but all of that is changing very quickly…International DJs touring India every weekend is changing the musical outlook and party generation in India. But it is essential right now for the scene to explode, and that can only be done if the government sees it needs to back clubbing and make it a legitimate recreational industry. It’s about time we got rid of the stone-age deadlines and restrictions most states impose upon nightclubs.”

Having said that, India’s younger generation are surely the ones to change the view on such restrictions, as music is our right, it’s in our history and in our future as music is our soul.