“An
insight into Lester Godinho”
BY
Margherita Devi Terzi
Lester
Godinho, a true Goan musician is probably one of Goa’s most experienced
drummers who plays with many of India’s successful musicians. Now residing in
Calangute, Lester grew up in the heart of Mumbai’s music scene. His father,
Leslie Godinho was his real life role model is the essence of his musical
inspiration. As a child Lester was very much inclined to music, and with the
guidance of his Dad, Lester pursued music with a lot of passion and is today, a
well known Drummer. Having played music for most of his life, it can be safely
said that music is Lester’s life.
Lester
explains to Goa Backstage his motivation to continuously improve and evolve in
the music industry. “I am never really satisfied with what I play, I guess that
drives my motivation” he says. So the constant dissatisfaction of ones work
propels determination to do better, play harder and keep pushing the limits.
Lester also tells Goa Backstage “the violin is another instrument
that is very close to my heart. As
a child I played the violin and it has helped in my musical growth”.
Speaking
of musical growth, the current system in Goa seems to curb the growth of all
musicians. The 10pm sound restriction imposed a few years back has crippled the
music scene in Goa. Lester Godinho expresses his opinion about this,
“Authorities fist must give the public a proper clarification on what is
considered as “loud” and adhere to it. As for me, the quality of music does not
lie in the volume it is played at”.
The
10pm music restriction was released in 2005 under Environmental protection and
Noise pollution Act, it states that ‘No
one shall beat a drum or tom-tom or blow a trumpet or beat drum or sound any
instrument or use any sound amplifier between 10.00 p.m. and 6.00 am’. It also
states that ‘the peripheral noise level of privately owned sound system shall
not exceed more than 5 dB (A)’. This
concludes to say that any noise at all after 10pm above 5 dB (A) is by definition,
breaking the law. Lester further adds, “For me, I personally feel the
restriction is an infringement on my fundamental right to earn a livelihood as
laid down in the Constitution”
The
current music scene in Goa according to Lester is just hype. He says, “thanks to
the media, we have hype, hype and more hype. Too many “empty” vessels trying to jump onto the band-wagon!” When
asked what kind of change he would like to see in the current music scene in
Goa, Lester states, “For me, the
purest form of music is playing “live”.
Unfortunately, the word “live” has taken on a different meaning
altogether today, musically, and people need to be made aware of it!”
It is probable that Lester knows what he is talking about as
he has played with an array of musicians in and out of Goa, he says “ I have had
the good fortune of playing with Indian and international musicians such as,
Braz Gonsalves, Jazzy Joe Pereira, Louis Banks, Pam Crain, Gary Lawyer, Karl
Peters, Sivamani, etc., besides, a whole lot of others in Bollywood and
International musicians, too”.
Furthermore, Lester tells Goa
Backstage that he is most inclined to playing Jazz, but also likes to play all
types of music such as Classical, Rock, Funk, Latin, pop, Gospel. In regard to
having an eclectic experience in music genres Lester reveals his current and
future plans “It has always been my desire to do something in the field of
Konkani music, and, I am presently working in that direction”
Being so experienced and
having played with a few of India’s successful musicians, Goa Backstage asks
Lester Godinho for a few pointers on how to be a good musician, he replies “
Listen to music, to other musicians and most importantly practice! Do not get
depressed or carried away by what others say, always be your own judge!” Lastly
Lester would like to advice all young aspiring musicians that “The ‘sky’ is the
limit, follow your Heart, work hard and believe in yourself. Always keep an
open mind as then you will keep learning and improving until the day you die”
