Flamenco

 


The Pathos of Flamenco

Original artwork and pensive poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2025

Flamenco is deeply influenced by the Romani Gitano Culture of Spain
Under the raw energy and sensuality, an unspoken pathos doth reign

Whence the Romani came from, the deserts of North India, 'tis clear
Scholars agree, the Romani migration started a thousand years earlier

Maybe they were musicians on military campaigns with armies, or maybe not.
Or forced to flee persecution or social injustices that became their lot

They carried their cultural roots, their language and traditional fashion
To Persia, Arabia and Byzantium, who condemned them all with dispossession

Their itinerant journey continues through Europe in these modern times
About 10 million strong, they are still falsely accused of random crimes

Truth be told, if you don't fit into the norms of our 'civilised' society
You get unjustly ostracised, falsely accused of immorality and impropriety

'Tis no wonder that Flamenco tells so eloquently of their painful history
No words are needed, just listen with your heart to understand their mystery


Inspiration: This artwork was inspired by my longtime admiration of the Romani community and their steadfast adherence to an anachronistic way of life. Their music and dance are a unique blend of Andalusian, Moorish, Jewish, and Indian influences. My playlist is replete with Barcelona Gipsy Klezmer Orchestra tunes. My closest encounter with the Romani community was in May 1996, during the joyous celebration of the Feast of the Two Marys and Saint Sarah, when 15,000 to 20,000 Romani Catholics from Europe congregated in the ancient town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, located in the marshes of the Camargue, where the Rhône River meets the Mediterranean Sea. It remains one of the most colourful public celebrations I have ever witnessed.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Beautiful art and words 👌🏽👌🏽 (WhatsApp comment from a classmate on an alumni group)
July 9, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Kieran said…
Thanks Dhruv. There is so much history and sadly misunderstanding with the Romani people and culture. We humans should accept people different from us. - Kieran
July 9, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Anonymous said…
They do resemble us in terms of love for music and dance. Resemble the Gypsies so much (WhatsApp reply to the above comment)
July 9, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Kieran said…
Language is a powerful tool - the English language is not immune to being used as a weapon. Here are some term (with the more appropriate ones in parenthesis) we should avoid using
- nigger (African-American)
- ⁠gypsy (Romani)
- ⁠redskin (Indigenous, First Nation)
- ⁠eskimo (Inuit)
July 9, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Anonymous said…
Wonderful, Kieran! Transported me back to the mid-seventies when we lived in Saharanpur (UP) when we lost our beloved cocker spaniel, Ruffles. A lot of heartbreak in the Fullinfaw household ensued. A few days later, Sunday morning, we all trooped off to church, passing by an open space that was often the site of a gypsy encampment, quite possibly the same Romanis you encountered (the dancer you have depicted looks eerily familiar!). Back to our walk to church - while passing by the Gypsy camp, we noticed several dirty stray dogs lying around. To our amazement, one of them suddenly jumped up and started slobbering all over us! Under the grime and dirt of 4 days on the road, we recognized Ruffles! Needless to say, some of us missed Mass that Sunday, but joy reigned supreme in the Fullinfaw clan again! As I remember, the next day, on our way to school, there was no sign of the camp - Ruffles would have been gone forever, possibly to points in Eastern Europe or further.
Amazing how your words and painting have the ability to resurrect such a long-forgotten moment - kudos! (WhatsApp comment from a childhood friend on a group chat)
July 9, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Kieran said…
Quite the story, Kcho. These ‘nomadic’ people are quite resilient but unfortunately have not found acceptance in our ‘civilised’ society - some of the best music, dance, handcrafts and food is a result of their stuggles in life - Kieran
July 9, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Anonymous said…
Kieran, dude you continue to amaze me👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🕺💃👍🏼Awesome package. The painting, poetry n Historical background blurb-👏🏼👏🏼
I picked up Flamenco guitar style music-it is awesome to listen to-unfortunately, time didn’t allow a proper music jam-despite the guitar on hand. Keep it coming (Another WhatsApp comment from the same childhood friends group that recently met after 35-40 years)
July 9, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Kieran said…
Let’s do Flamenco 💃 for our next get together- India 2026. You heard it here first, mark your calendars - Kieran
July 9, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Anonymous said…
Flashbacks of Gypsies who lived near Shaniwar Wada and who sometimes would visit our neighborhood [in Poona] (Another WhatsApp comment on same childhood friends group)
July 9, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Kieran said…
Yes, there are nomadic communities that have been passing through Pune for centuries with makeshift tents, pack horses and goats. They ply some quaint trades but suffer unduly from bigotry and suspicion - Kieran
July 9, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Anonymous said…
So “Gypsy” is a no-no? I did not know that - my bad! (Reply to above comment)
July 9, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Kieran said…
I guess it’s because of the whole thievery, child trafficking and such unwarranted baggage - Kieran
July 9, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Anonymous said…
Lovely!
I had read the history of the Romani people.
I had read somewhere that they actually came to India with Alexander's army in 300 BC, and some stayed on in NW India. (Comment on Signal from a dear friend)
July 9, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Kieran said…
Yes that is one theory. But DNA shows Indian origin rather than Greek/Persian origins - Kieran
July 9, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Anonymous said…
Your ode to the Romani’s is so well written. The bias of the *civilized* society. (WhatsApp comment from a dear friend)
July 9, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Kieran said…
Thanks . It’s tragic how inhumane we behave to our own species 😢 - Kieran
July 9, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Anonymous said…
Indeed the supercilious attitude of dominant races. Varies across the world. I have seen it and felt it. (Reply to the above comment)
July 9, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Kieran said…
Time for the true story to be told- by you and me - Kieran
July 9, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Anonymous said…
Interesting
I think human migration through generations is such a fantastic subject.
I don't know enough about it
Maybe I can find coursera course about it and learn something 😊
When we were in a museum in Dubrovnik they had gold jewelry which looked distinctly Indian (Signal comment from a friend)
July 12, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Kieran said…
Could be the Rajasthani root

https://www.chidambaramgoldcovering.com/real-gold-finish-big-forming-olive-leaf-romanian-danglers-design-for-ladies-er2369
- Kieran
July 12, 2025 at 10:45 AM
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