Zaito Tempo Raulim - Mando
“Let’s keep the Goan tradition and culture alive, worldwide”
Zaito Tempo Raulim
[बदल]I waited for a long time
Type: Mando
Source: J.A.A. Fernandes, vulgo: André Xett (1884-1980).
Musical form: Ternary
Literary form: Monologue
Translated by António Vicente de Noronha (1895-1982)
Zaito tempo raulim rê ãum,
I (female) waited for a long time,
Tuje laguim cazar zatolim munum,
Hoping to get married with you,
Pôtin tuji zãuncheac rê aum,
To become your wife,
Nirmunc maca nam Devanum.
God did not destine it for me.
Chusmo/ Refrain:
Retrat dad rê parcel corunum,
Send a photo by letter,
Urlolé dis cadtam sarkeac tujea chounum.
That I may spend my days looking at you carefully.
Hé mojé chintun midmidde,
Thinking of these my sorrows,
Dukanim moje bhortai dolle.
My eyes are full of tears.
Cazar aum zattim aslolim pai,
I would have got married, my father,
Amigo mojea Costa coddé.
With my friend Costa.
Chusmo/ Refrain:
Ai, ai Costa, amigo rê mojea,
Ai, ai, Costa, my friend,
Ugddas etoch sõvnsar maca naca.
When I remember you, I do not feel like living in this world anymore.
Cazar aum zaunchea rê fuddem,
Before I got married,
Zaitte sentimento dilo maca tuvem.
You caused me lot of worries.
Cosloch amigo meulear rê tuka,
Whoever may be your friend (lit. Whatever kind of friend you may get),
Mojo môg visrunaca.
Do not forget my love.
Chusmo/ Refrain:
Ai, ai, ai, cotta gô manca,
Ai, ai, ai, (....?), my dear,
Tujem chintlear sõvnsar legun naca.
When I think of you, I do not feel like living in this world anymore.
The Mando
The mando is a dance song from Goa in Konkani. Although it is popular among all the social stratas of the Konkani-speaking peoples and many of the composers have remained anonymous, it should not be classified as a folk song. It is an art song composed for particular occasions. There have been many attempts to explain the origin of the word mando. One of them refers to the mand which was traditionally an open space of about 100 sq.m. where religious ceremonies were held and folk dances were performed. The text form of the mando is based on that of the traditional Konkani song ovi, which was usually sung at weddings
Most of the the traditional mandos, which gained the term “classical”, were composed in the 19th century. The polka and the valsavina (Vienna Waltz) with its three-four rhythm seem to have found their way to Goa. The mando was originally composed and danced by the Brahmin aristocracy of Goa, mainly of Salcete, whose spacious mansions had a big hall for festive occasions. A memorable moment in the history of the family was the bridal mando. The mando reflects the tranquil and leisurely character of this aristocracy. The Goan woman in the mando reflects the ideals and virtues then ascribed to her, namely self-sacrifice, piety and motherhood.
As a dance the mando is a square type (double file), men facing the women. When the partners come face to face in the centre, they retreat to the starting point, then move forward again crossing to the opposite side. The men then flick their handkerchiefs while the women open their fans. All in all, it is a stately and leisurely dance. The melody of the mando is slow in movement, with a soft and languishing atmosphere.