'The Coffin Maker' will take Konkani to global stage: Hema Sardesai

Panaji: Naseeruddin Shah-starrer English film 'The Coffin Maker', which has songs in Konkani, will help the Goa's local language acquire international recognition, says the singer who has rendered these songs.

Hema Sardesai, Goa-born internationally famed singer, has penned three songs and sung them in 'The Coffin Maker', which is making the rounds of film festivals across the globe.

The film, based in a small village of Goa, has been produced by Bharat Vijan and directed by Veena Bakshi. It has been selected for the Indian Panorama section of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) to be held here next month.

"Its wonderful to be part of 'The Coffin Maker' after growing up in beautiful and love-filled Goa and adoring Konkani so much. It is fulfillment of my dream to take Konkani to greater heights," she told PTI in an interview today.

A true Goan artiste will be deeply sensitive in capturing the real essence of a Konkani song, she said.

The film, also featuring Randip Hooda, Benjamin Gilani, Ratna Pathak and others, has been selected for the River To River, Florence/Rome Festivals in Italy. 'The Coffin Maker' is a poignant tale about a reluctant coffin maker who learns about life from a very unusual and mysterious source.

Sardesai said the film's screening before the overseas audience will bring Goan-Konkani language on the international platform for the first time.

"I was delighted again when this English film, with three Konkani songs penned and sung by me, was selected for the Kerala Film Festival. It was a special feeling when the film was selected for IFFI. After all IFFI takes place in Goa,

where I hail from," she said.

'The Coffin Maker' is based in Goa which made it all the more interesting for me, said the singer, known for songs like 'Awara bhavren' and 'Chak de India''s 'Badal pe pao hai'.

The three Konkani songs are 'Mogachi donuch uttraan', 'Geli birant' and 'Maya ya'.

They have different themes like love, death and vibrancy of life, Sardesai said. "My first album at the age of 13 was in Konkani. It has always been my endeavour to take Konkani to greater heights."

"When I performed at the Cannes Film Festival I sang Konkani songs there to promote Goa," she added.