BY MATHEW ALMEIDA
Goa's Cielda Pereira has carved a stupendous career for herself at quite a young age. Singing for Nachom-ia Kumpasar was a high point in her journey as a professional singer. The talented singer tells GT about her experiences as a singer and her support for the pro-life movement.
You have walked a tough path to achieve what you have today. We know you as the Nachom-ia kumpasar fame singer. How did you begin your journey in music? Who or what inspired you to take up this profession?
My grandfather used to sing for the tiatr. So that love for singing is there in the family. Even my parents love to sing. I started singing at the age of four. I began singing for the church choir every Sunday, and I still do it…that is how I developed my talent.
Many believe that you began your singing career after winning the Goencho Avaaz singing competition. What was your big break? Was it winning the competition or singing for Nachom-ia Kumpasar?
I had been signed for Nachom-ia Kumpasar even before I participated in Goencho Avaaz. I had gone along with my friend to give her company for the auditions of Nachom-ia Kumpasar, so someone suggested that I audition as a singer and I was selected.
The movie was released in the same year I won the competition. The shoot and recordings for songs happened much before that. So yes, of course, Nachom-ia Kumpasar was my biggest breakthrough. It was wonderful working for this film, singing my favourite songs, which are loved across Goa, and bringing the same old music back to life.
It is known that you sing a lot of religious songs, and very recently, you had the privilege of performing with Fr Rob Galea. Tell us about your inclination towards religious songs and your experience at Fr Rob’s show?
I have a firm faith in God, and I believe that God has gifted me with this talent. There were situations in my life when I struggled with my faith in God. Then, I have had times where I experienced God’s power in my life.
It was a great honour sharing the stage with Fr Rob Galea who is a priest so deeply rooted in his faith. His whole life is an inspiration to youngsters and a great witness of God’s love.
When I was singing on the stage at Fr Rob Galea’s Live in Show, I said to myself that it’s not a performance, I am singing for God and I will sing with my whole heart.
It was truly a wonderful experience. So, yes, I have a great love for religious songs. I also sing secular songs as I have a band Knight and Day. We sing for weddings, parties, shows, etc.
Quite a few may know that apart from being involved in music and singing as your profession, you are also involved in the pro-life movement, which is relatively unknown in India. What does this movement mean, and how did you become part of it?
The pro-life movement is about raising awareness that abortion is equal to killing an unborn child.
Human life begins at the moment of conception, and thus abortion is equal to murder. After attending so many programmes, I am convinced that the pro-life movement is good.
I have been with the pro-life movement since there were programmes held at our parish church. It has a lot of support in countries like the US from people from various walks of life.
And in whatever way possible, I have given my support. Some months back I attended a programme conducted at a grand level to promote pro-life ideas.
We live in a country where abortion is legal, and we have many women who say, “It’s my body, so my decision.” Also, a huge challenge to the pro-life movement is situations where a girl may become pregnant by rape or abuse. As a woman, how do you respond to these situations?
I think it is very selfish to say, “It’s my body, so my decision.” After all, the child in the womb is an individual having his or her own right to live. The body we have is certainly not created by us. God has given it to us. Even if someone does not believe in God, they still cannot say that the body is designed by a man.
There are a lot of cases of unmarried women/girls getting pregnant. I understand that there are situations where a girl or a woman may become pregnant due to rape, but abortion is not the solution. First of all, it’s not the girl’s fault nor that of the child.
Society needs to change its thinking – looking down on the victimised girl. There are many institutions in Goa who are working for unwed mothers, to deliver and support their babies who are later adopted. We should be humane.
What is a message you would like to leave for youngsters, especially to girls or women?
I would say that youngsters should have faith in God. Without deep spiritual bonding through prayer, it’s difficult to achieve anything. Secondly, have confidence in yourself and work hard.
There will be many who try to look down on you or discourage you but look at the positive side and towards positive people.
To girls or women, I would say that, yes, we women are equally capable as men. And we need to work together as men and women to build a better society.