From the editor’s desk :-
Dear Konkanni music lovers,
“A Blessed Easter” to you all! It gives me immense pleasure to wish you and your families a very happy and spiritfilled Easter! On this joyous occasion of the greatest feast of “Easter” I pray in a very special way that the peace and joy of Risen Christ reign in your minds and hearts and may you experience the power of the Risen Lord throughout your life.
In my great determination of presenting you a melodious musical chord as an ‘Easter Egg’ I found a super star! Music is an ancestral gift for him, which flows in his blood. He is an international singer and has created musical waves through his singing and his Band not only in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts but also in neighbouring places of Chickmagalur, Madikeri, Somwarpet, Koppa, Sakleshpur, Balehonnur, Badraviti and Bangalore! His musical waves also have reached some places in Kerala and abroad in the Gulf Countries! Who is this genius, a super star, and the pride of Konkan? This unique jewel of Konkan music and a great star is none other than Shri Harry D’Souza of Bejai, Mangalore who is the band master of world famous brass band “Harry’s Silver Band”.
‘Harry’s Silver Band’ history goes back to a century. Harry’s grandfather founded this most popular Brass Band on an Easter Sunday in the year 1906. So, Easter 2005 – Easter 2006 has been declared as a centenary year! I will be privileged to bring out a very special coverage on the history of this Brass Band at the start of its Centenary Year.
Dear Do..Re..Me..Fa.. lovers I am sure you will enjoy listening to this great musical chord! Once again I thank you for your great support. I shall see you next month, same site same column! Till then, bye!
Yours in Do..Re..Me..Fa..,
Gerry D’Mello
WINNER OF ‘KARNATAKA KONKANI SAHITHYA ACADEMY-2002’ AWARD
“KONKAN SANGEETH SHREE” - SHRI HARRY D’SOUZA
“Konkan Sangeeth Shree” Shri Harry D’Souza is a composer who composes one tune every day, a music teacher who teaches Brass Band in 13 schools of Mangalore, a singer who enthralls the audience with his own Musical Nites, at the same time regales the wedding guests in private wedding parties, an efficient managing proprietor of a century old Brass Band, a poet with a book of his own poems. Here is a profile and an introduction to his personality which every Konkanni Music lover should be familiar with.
Family-background and childhood :-
Harold Cyril D’Souza (Harry) was born on 21st October 1950 in Bejai Parish Manglore, to a renowned century old music family whose profession was playing Brass Band for social and other public occasions. His grand-father was Lawrence D’Souza (Lorsam) who founded the music band in 1906 (first generation), which acquired the popular name of “Lorsam’s Band.” Lorsam’s son and Harry’s father was Michael Ambrose D’Souza (Ediyab). In 1953 Ediyab took over the helm of his father’s Band and his band became famous under the name of “Ediyab’s Silver Jubilee Band” (second generation). Ediyab’s wife was Stella Mary D’Souza. They had two children, the eldest was Harry and the second was a girl named Janet. In 1982 Harry shouldered the leadership of the Band which is now renowned by the name of “Harry’s Silver Band” (third generation). It will be celebrating its ‘Centenary Jubilee Year’ from Easter 2005 to Easter 2006!
The boy Harry studied upto 3rd Std. In St.Francis Xavier’s School, Bejai. Rest of his education upto matriculation was done at St.Aloysius M