Mumbai choir revives forgotten Damanese music tradition in Matharpacady

Updated On: 23 May, 2026 09:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram Iyengar

A Mazgaon-based choir revived a fading thread of Portuguese influence with a performance of Damanese songs earlier this month. We find out about this unexplored, and surprisingly familiar, musical strain

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Dancers present a Mando performance at Matharpacady village

Not to be a contrarian, but Maria Pitache is not entirely Goan. For generations of Hindi cinema fans, it might be a mythbuster too far. “It is Damanese Creole,” shares Daniel Dias. The 25-year-old violinist and harpist from Mazgaon is amused. On May 1, Dias and sister Lisann, joined the Mazgaon Serenaders as they performed a compilation of Goan Mando, Dekhni, and Damanese songs at the Feast of the Holy Cross in the heritage precinct of Matharpacady village. “It was our first time performing Damanese songs though. People were surprised, but liked it,” reveals Dias.