June 16, 2013
‘Father’s Day’ is celebrated all over the world today. I am glad to wish everyone a Happy ‘Father’s Day’ and Tributes to all Fathers who are no more among us, including my Father late Jerome D’ Souza.
When I say it is Father’s Day, I should not forget to pay my special Tributes to Father of our Modern Konkani, late Wilfy Rebimbus, everyone accept that there is no end to his name. Wilfy Rebimbus is Father of Konkani for various reasons over the almost 4 decades. At his tender age 14, he must have received his divine grooves, his inner being must have heard a inner voice thus might have led him to interpret into numerous compositions and singing them with a unique style perhaps meeting only the wisdom of heavenly beings and singing in tunes with them. Most of those early compositions, most famous and most covered songs in history were created in this way. The composer must have woken up many fine mornings with lyrics in his heart and melody in his head, then might have burst into many first songs. However, out of many first songs, first one recorded in his first Volume is ‘Namaan tuka avoiponam’. Thereafter, he never looked back because he might have understood his mission given by the Lord not to look back and thus he sang for all of us ‘Mukhar mukar saal’ and he too continued.
Why am I penning down this short article? If the mentor is within you, he is bound to reach out significantly. Late Wilfy Rebimbus has written over 3,500 songs and each of his songs has touched over millions of people and all of them reached out to people in a unique way. Each of his songs has touched overmillions of people and all ofthem reached out to people in a unique way. The fans of Wilfy are numerous, not only we Konkanas or coastal region but also all people over the globe. Thus through our each Konkana families in particular, each and every family tends to transmit ‘Wilfy Culture’ for the future generations to come. For example, at the age of 4, my son Aaron Avith developed enthusiasm after hearing Wilfy uncle’s first song ‘Jugujugu danvtare railachi gaadi,’ (which develops a theme of ‘life’, is a journey’).From then on, he has kept on listening to Wilfy’s in-depth wisdom nourishing songs.
I view Wilfy Rebimbus as a composer who had a wide spectrum of themes and vision to convey and display, such as devotion, morality, ethics, socio-economy, philosophy, culture, humanitarianand religious points of view. His unique style of composing is difficult to compare with anybody but it brings to my mind King Solomon who is known as King of Song of Songs in Bible. King Solomon penned his songs about God’s deep Love for His Chosen People. Equally Wilfybaab as a composer has shown his deep concern for Christian community rendering with inspirational song-messages and devotional songs. His religious songs and hymns are replete with wonderful messages, and one of them that comes to my mind is‘Muje donupadestuka’.
The songs of the King of Konkani, WilfyRebimbus have generated in different contexts and time frames: while some of them were generated on the spot, others over the day, over the night, over the week, over the month and while some others could be over the years. Each of his songs had a specific focus; whether an occasion, person, institution, life event or stage in life. Some songs came out expressing heart-aches, while others highlighted a specific occasion, or centred on specific persons. Motherhood, womanhood, childhood, and yes, even the romantic teenage and youthful age have heart-stirring songs – ‘Philomena’ in a movie ‘Mogtuzokitloashellom’. His songs encompass each phases of human life, right from birth to death andcradle to grave. The song ‘Hangapunzainaka sorgarpunzai, bore kaamkarani sorgarpunzai’ reflects the eternally true words of Jesus, who said,“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Mt 6: 19-20).
As Wilfy’s lyrics have a touching, soul stirring, and grounded on life approach, they cannot be missed by anyone and they do not leave without striking a chord in the listener’s heart. No doubt then, the church leaders admired him, social reformers loved him, rich and poor loning for him. We know that he did not write his initial works sitting on a golden bench, rather, almost all of his songs, dramas and plays came out in empty stomach, on the stage of poverty. Personally I could have a feel of his initial sufferings while hearing his song ‘Ghatak davndaillo’. Believe it or not, usually empty stomach leads someone closer to God leading him to love and fear God, which is why, we know that “Blessed are the poor” (Mt 5:3).The words of Scriptures have come true! “The fear of God is beginning of knowledge” (Prov 1: 7) and Wilfy’s songs radiate fear of God, wisdom and Knowledge. Do you know that Wilfyaab prayed for his wisdom and knowledge and not for wealth? 2 Chronicles 1:11 God said to Solomon, "Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of those who hate you, neither yet have asked long life; but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king”. God sees someone’s heart before blessing anybody. That is why, in the case of Wiflyaab, all his songs had heavenly wisdom and knowledge, and therefore, his songs place him at different level from others as his songs have themes and messages that are eternal. What made Wilfy Rebimbus’ works much rare and much different from others? Reason being, prior to composing his songs, he prayed, and he received from above a ray of light (poetic thoughts) and then went to the technical aspects of it: figuring out from what he got, setting the moods in different tunes, transforming inspirations into words and looking for the hooks to crooks (for some) to deliver as a message or theme received from God.
Rebimbus is the eminent author, song composer, and play writer loved by all. His style is unique; his lyrics, stories and plays defy any generational gap and embrace every spectrum of humanity and they have a prophetic dimension. He did not shy away from reminding the prieststo embrace the biblical behavior required from them, the citizens not to fall prey to politicians cheaply, and the people living in gulf about the care they should have about their spouses, family and money. I have heard a couple of priests saying that his songs helped them to in living their life and in preaching ministry. Wilfy had a love for the poor and the orphans and therefore he established welfare schemes (Gratian Welfare Fund) to accomplish his mission; he motivated students through his characteristic song ‘Gath zallie gath zallie gahth..” as he tells the students “ diza mode ood dore, iskolak bunk maar, burgyankade konkubandh ani parishek pavthan pen kadnm thaklek dadai”.
A good human being has three essential virtues: He loves God unconditionally; he loves his family and neighbors; and he helps others as much as possible. In Wilfyaab’s case,we found all of those three virtues.Therefore he was blessed by God more than others in our time, more songs came out from him and numerous awards conferred on him during his life time and even after! I am not aware of anybody who has written more than Wilfy on the theme of respect for womanhood. His loving song for his mother, ‘Mai thuka sodun muje pai gelle vollovn”, avoicha mogache runn’, ‘doodanth dutho tuje paie mai’ are very evocative role and son’s grief for his departed mother. ‘visa’ song yearns the sorrow of the unemployed youth, ‘pishi bail’ real stories were wooen up, ‘char deesanso sausar’ puts people foot firm on the ground to draw closer to God, ‘panduranga’ a hilarious fact finding love prone long, ‘Artifical Chedva’ realistic storiess, ‘kazar kazar’ a day-to-day happening, ‘pedru juvamn’ a butler’s pathetic life perhaps nobody ever thought about it and many many plenty we all know it. The biggest song penned by Wilfy is ‘bumi vaikuntm’ and smallest hymn being ‘sorvespora’. I would rather encourage everyone to read those songs from ‘kogull gaitha’, 560 songs from 50 albums.
I am glad to share with you all, in seventies when I was a boy, Wilfy’s particular song, ‘Sanzzalli re sanzzallire’ made a deep impression on me. Then, being a boy, I used to travel from Karkala to Jerosa Company, Milagris to buy newly released cassettes to distribute among our family members at Karkala. Together as family, we used to listen to those songs, then sing them together,and read song books together. In other words, Wilfy could bring our family together through his lovely songs. I fell in love with the words and style of composition of Wilfyaab. Everything he did for Konkani is immortal, so is my love and admiration to him. Wilfyaab could not have succeeded without perhaps his wife Meena Bai as it is rightly said: “Behind every successful man there is a woman.” About Meenabai, I may have to write another article so also about their children Veena and Vishu -lovely children from a lovely family.
Ever since his demise, in the past 3 years, countless heads are searching and researching to find out “from where did Wilfy receive such deep wisdom, knowledge, insight to compose those tunes and songs no one heard or dreamt of before. Were they inspired from God for this mankind as a direction to their path? A Carmelite Priest at a unique seminar on ‘Wilfyaab’ declared that he was a Psalmist of our time and drew divine assistance and inspiration. My answer is also similar. King Soloman could not have written his single song without God’s hand upon him so also in the case of songs of Wilfyaab. His songs can be completely realized in each phase of life. I continue to like Wilfyaab’s songs and listen to them because of his multi linguistic (Tulu, Kannada) and multi-dimensional compositions that display sheer wit and insight representing the voice of the voiceless in this stratified society.
March 9,2010 was one of the most painful days in my life. Ever since, I heard of Wilfy’s ill health about a year ago then. I had hoped that he would recover soon his health but soon I lost hope when, I when I heard from the media and some of my friends that “It’s all in God’s hands now".
But Wilfy continues to live in the hearts and minds of people. His contribution to the world of music, literature and stage is an open book. Even a small child is aware of his immense contribution. But what’s significant about his contribution is that the awareness of Konkani language he created worldwide, especially among Konkani speaking community, through his works. It was heartening to note that, even a person who was shy to speak Konkani in public became a fan of Wilfy’s works and that prompted him to OUR Konkani songs! The last decade was a golden era for the Konkani language as far as Konkani speaking community residing abroad is concerned. In Gulf, the major Konkani waves were generated through his music. Almost every major function in Gulf never went without Wilfy's music. That was the impact he created among Konkani music lovers.He had a special way to encourage the young talent, who sought help from him without ever denying them. There are several new composers today, who have brought out their own albums, but have not forgotten to give due credit to him.
The people worldwide, not only have enjoyed his music, but also stood by him during his difficult days. As Wilfy was not economically so sound economically to get the best of deserved treatment for cancer, his well-wishers worldwide, joined hands in organizing a mega Sentimental Nite in Mangalore. This historic event was attended by over 2,500 people while at least 4,000 people were disappointed for being unable to get a ticket for the show. That was the kind of support and the popularity of this undisputed Konkani icon. Indeed the show brought the laurels to him and helped him get the much needed economic support for his treatment.
"God, you take away my life, but please do not take away my voice. I will sing until my last breath.."These were the golden words from a golden person Wilfy during the Sentimental Wilfy Nite 2009. People had tears in their eyes as everyone prayed, 'Come back Wilfy, we need you, we love you, Konkani needs you'. Let us thank God, Wilfy’s voice has not been taken from us, he is still singing for us and he is in our midst.
Rebimbus from his life has shown that he is different from others or cut above the rest. His open broad smile ( I call it an ‘angelic smile), his deep voice, convincing approach with is mild talking but powerful chorus and verses brings him as a human savior to the poor and to the down trodden in different vicissitudes of life and places him closer to some of the living saints such as Mother Theresa who made a great impact on the people. But we are aware that comparisons are odious and the world context and the status of each person is different. But we know that saints are the people who made an effort to live a good life and inspired others with their life and message to be good. But they aren’t perfect persons as it is said: every saint has a past and every sinner a future.
Those who become saints, usually embark upon early life as mediocre or common men. They carve out an elevating future for themselves out of the dust-heap of the common men. In other words they begin life with a ordinary proclivity (inclination) towards religion, but by dint of their curiosity for truth, their desire to attain salvation and their vigorous work in that direction, they rise to the great heights of divinity. After attaining a high degree of enlightenment, they set out to guide mankind along the path of virtue and redemption, as the song writers or composers, singers, teachers and preachers of mankind. They stand out leading the people along the right path in a disinterested and selfless way. By this, no one can deny the saintly or godly character in Wilfy’s case. Prior to his death, Wilfy’s love and concern for the poor was untold, reached at its zenith as can be gleaned from his attempt to write checks with shivering handsfor the poor people. His love for Konkani comes out best as at the final moment life when he would sing his last song from his death bed‘Mujibhaas Konkani’.
I have said sufficient. Finally, I do not require further search or to make research on this subject issue. Don’t you think Wilfy Rebimbus was a Champion of Humanity as he strived to work for the poor and the orphan and Savior of Konkani chosen and sent by God for his rich and lasting service and contribution to the language? No person of Wilfy’s caliber was born before his birth nor is seen since his demise. He is and would be unique. It is said that had Mr. Rebimbus born in other states of India, he would have been recognized with National Award at least while he was in thirties. A good artist usually does not chase any kind of highest awards. Hence, National Award he himself allowed to escape from him. A sun gives light. Sun is living. It does not seek edifications or accreditations nor national or international awards. Sun is Sun. It is selfless, it gives light to everybody equally; to good as well as bad people. It will live up to its name. It lives on and shines on. Whether we are interesting in Sun or not but we are walking in its light. So is the case of Wifly Rebimbus. He was the Sun of our Mother Tongue, Konkani. Light shines on. His songs his voice lives on.
As you read in the holy scriptures usually God sends His Chosen Person in the period of time or between much intervals. They are sent for a specific mission for special group of people, region loved by God. As soon as their mission is accomplished, God will no more allow them to suffer much in this world from any worries or diseases. Wilfy after doing all that he was called to do must have said: “It is finished” and then the Lord said to him: “Come the blessed of my Father, you have completed your assigned mission and now bemy guest in my Heavenly Kingdom and enjoy hereafter in a place of no worries, no diseases but only of Heavenly Bliss to Praise the Trinity along with the Angels.”Now Wilfy continues to sing in the Heavenly Choir.
Finally, let us learn something good from the Saints who led a godly life by loving and helping the needy who are also the children of God. In this world, nothing belongs to us. Our wealth is not ours but God’s; we have to share it with the unfortunate once. If we go against it, God can take away overnight from us. For He can make anybody rich overnight and can also make anybody poor overnight. What can a man boast of himself?“Those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit? (Ps 49: 6-9). Wifly Rebimbus was very much sensitive to these words for he led a simple life and whatever he had, heshared happily with the unfortunateones. Therefore God has set him as an example in the midst of us and for the future generations. Don’t you think that we too should be sensitive to God’s Voice as an example that set by Wilfy Rebimbus? May He Rest In Peace. Amen.
Thus I end this article words chosen from hymn composed by Wilfbaab,
' Santap Mugdata, Sontos Ubzata '
"Sargarazak pautholoun ,Gayana havn tain gaitoloun.
Kitlo Boron Jezu Muzo ,Mog kertoloun" Amen.
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