Mangalore, Mar 9: The golden era of Konkani music came to an end with Konkani's greatest talent, 'Konkan Kogul' Wilfy Rebimbus breathed his last at Fr Muller Hospital here on March 9, 2010 at 11.15am, IST. The news comes as a rude shock to people of Coastal Karnataka all over the world irrespective of the caste, creed, language and religion for the legend has left his lasting impression in their hearts with his melifluous voice. His compositions not only in Konkani, but Tulu too are cherished by millions worldwide.
He was ailing from lung cancer since past one year, but for a while hopes were revived of his survival after successful surgery in September 2009. However, his health deteriorated a week ago and was admitted to the Fr Muller Hospital Hospital here. A team of doctors tried their best to keep WIlfy alive, but he breathed his last.
His wife Meena Rebimbus, a singing legend herself, daughtrer Veena and son Vishwas along with his close family members, members of United Youngster Association Leslie Rego and others were with him during his last moments.
Wilfy, who would have turned 68 on April 2 this year, was a multi-faceted and versatile personality. Known for his charming and affable nature, he was a gifted music composer, playwright and short story writer. He was a household name among all Konkani Catholics.
Born in Mangalore in a poor family, he came up in life the hard way and started composing and singing Konkani songs at the young age of 14. By 15, he had written his first Konkani play, ``Poishyamcho Somvsaar,’’ and got it staged through the St Joseph’s Natak Sabha in Mangalore.
He has contributed and enriched the Konkani music world for over 50 years composing over 3,000 songs, 500 stage shows and conducted as many as 248 musical nites in Mangalore and different parts of Karnataka and even abroad besides publishing 9 volumes of Song Books. In addition, he had brought out a book, ``Kogul Gaaithaa,’’ comprising 40 volumes in four editions, 40 highly popular music audio cassettes besides six volumes of devotional and one instrumental album. He has written three Konkani musical plays, Hazaar Umaalyamche Kazaar, Vechik Pooth and Mother Teresa.
He has also composed songs and written stories for Konkani movies, Mog ani Moipas, Bogsaane, Kaazaara Upraanth and Paadri besides writing the story for the Konkani film, Tisri Cheet.
He was showered with several awards including the Karnataka Government’s prestigious Rajyotsava Award, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Award, Sandesha and DaijiDubai Puraskar Awards.
Bangalore's FKCA Award was the last award conferred on him, which was bestowed on him on Jan 31, 2010. His son Vishwas received the award on his behalf as he could not attend the programme due to his ill health.
Mangalore Konkans Dubai, recently initiated a movement to seek national honour for this Konkani singer, as his contribution was worth Padmashree or Padmabhushan awards in the least.