In the quiet space between tradition and modern life stands Tejas Guirish Kunkolienkar, a software engineer by profession and a cultural torchbearer by calling. A proud son of Goa, Tejas has built a life that balances code with cadence, corporate responsibilities with community leadership. While his weekdays unfold in the world of technology after completing his postgraduate degree at Goa University, his heart beats to the timeless percussion of the Ghumat.
For over a decade, he has dedicated himself to preserving and promoting Goa’s musical heritage. As the Founder and President of Ghumat Mogi, he leads a growing collective of more than fifty cultural enthusiasts united by a single purpose: to ensure that the sound of the Ghumat never fades. What began as a personal passion has evolved into a lifelong mission, one that merges spirituality, discipline, and leadership into every performance and initiative he undertakes.
A Foundation in Faith and Folk Traditions
Tejas’s relationship with music is deeply spiritual. His grounding comes from years of devotion and performance with Shree Saibodgeshwar Ghumat Aarti Mandal, a respected cultural and devotional group in Mapusa. Here, he honed not only his technical skill across instruments such as the Ghumat, Shamel, Kasale, Dhol, and Taso, but also developed a profound understanding of rhythm as prayer.
Learning did not happen in classrooms. Instead, it came through immersion, watching seniors, rehearsing relentlessly, and performing in countless competitions and festivals. For Tejas, the ear and the heart became the true teachers.
His early leadership as a student lead singer in interclass competitions soon expanded to representing institutions like Dnyanprassarak Mandal’s College & Research Centre, where he guided teams to championship titles. Those formative years shaped both his musicianship and his confidence to lead larger movements.
The Birth of Ghumat Mogi
The idea for Ghumat Mogi emerged from a simple observation: Goa had immense talent, but no unified platform connecting artists across generations. Tejas envisioned a bridge between tradition and modern youth, a collective that would preserve heritage while presenting it in contemporary, engaging ways. Ghumat Mogi became that bridge.
More than a music group, it functions as a support system and promotional platform. The organization collaborates with local artists, backs new audio-visual projects, and helps grassroots performers reach statewide audiences. Today, what started as a social media concept has grown into a tightly knit cultural family. Members remain connected not just by shared rehearsals, but by a shared sense of responsibility, to represent Goa’s identity with pride and professionalism.
Ghumat Mahasangam: A Stage for the Next Generation
Among Tejas’s most ambitious undertakings is Ghumat Mahasangam, Goa’s largest Ghumat Aarti competition. First conceived during the pandemic as an online event, it has since transformed into a grand, in-person celebration hosted at Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir. The event now welcomes school, higher secondary, and college teams from across the state.
For Tejas, organizing Mahasangam is both challenge and reward. Months of meticulous planning go into every detail, from staging and decor to program flow. Yet the true payoff arrives when hundreds of young performers take the stage, their energy proving that Goa’s traditions are not relics of the past but vibrant forces of the present. Watching the next generation carry forward the rhythm makes every sleepless night worthwhile.
Beyond Competition: The Cultural Vision of Elgar
While Mahasangam focuses on percussion, Tejas believes culture cannot be confined to one form. This belief led to Elgar, an all-Goa festival celebrating holistic heritage.
Elgar brings together folk arts, fine arts, and even sports under one banner. The idea is simple: culture is multidimensional, and every form of expression deserves visibility. By creating an inclusive festival atmosphere, Tejas ensures that every young Goan—artist, athlete, or performer, finds a stage to shine.
Creating History Through Collective Sound
In 2023, Tejas helped execute a landmark moment during the Shiv Shourya Yatra in Mapusa, an unprecedented Maha Ghumat Aarti featuring over 100 artists performing in unison. The spectacle was less a performance and more a declaration of unity.
The thunderous synchronization demonstrated the sheer power of collective rhythm, setting a new benchmark for what cultural collaborations could achieve.
Taking Goa to the Nation
Tejas’s commitment has also carried him beyond state borders. Representing Goa at national platforms has been among the most defining experiences of his journey. Performances with his mandal at Mumbai during Waves 2025 and other national cultural initiatives introduced audiences across India to the soulful depth of Ghumat Vadan.
For him, these stages reaffirm one truth: regional traditions possess universal appeal. The beats of Goa resonate far beyond its shores.
Teacher, Mentor, Guardian
If performing keeps the tradition alive, teaching ensures its future. Tejas invests significant time mentoring school and college teams across Goa, guiding them not just technically but emotionally. Influenced by mentors like Shri. Tushar Guirish Kunkolienkar, Shri. Ketan Gurudas Salgaonkar, Shri. Sooraj Gurudas Pinge, Shri. Vijay Prakash Kudnekar, and Shri. Amit Naik who shaped his own path, now carries that responsibility forward, training groups, judging competitions, and nurturing young talent with patience and care. For him, mentorship is not about trophies; it is about igniting pride in heritage.
The Road Ahead
Tejas’s vision for Ghumat Mogi is expansive. He imagines a statewide brotherhood of artists, better recognition systems, wider platforms for rural talent, and cultural events that draw audiences from across the country. He hopes to integrate the Ghumat into everyday youth life, ensuring every Goan child grows up instinctively connected to their musical roots.
His philosophy remains clear: tradition must evolve without losing its soul. By combining professional staging, thoughtful management, and youthful energy, heritage can feel contemporary without compromise. In Tejas Guirish Kunkolienkar’s world, the Ghumat is more than an instrument. It is identity, devotion, and legacy. And as long as he leads the rhythm, Goa’s heartbeat will never fall silent.
