From the editor's desk :-
Dear Konkanni music lover,
Your interest and encouragement made me to set my eyes on Konkann skies once again and there I saw a bright shining star, an unique star filled with multi-faceted talents, known for its deep rooted love for Konkanni, my good old friend and parishioner back home and a mega star of Konkanni music arena, a great composer, a great singer known for his pleasing silken voice and an artiste most popular for his 'Baila' hits who is none other than 'Kalashree Claud D'Souza' known as 'Claud-Bendur'.
As I write this column, I got a great and exciting breaking news that Shri Claud D'Souza has been selected for a prestigious 'Karnataka Konkanni Sahitya Academy Award-2002' in recognition for his dedicated service for Konkanni Music.
Shri Claud is my 'chaddi dost' and we were groomed together as artistes from that great parish of Bendur, Mangalore under the highly esteemed umbrella of Catholic Action League (C.A.L.) Bendur, one of the oldest and most popular youth associations of the Diocese of Mangalore. Many a times Claud was instrumental to win trophies for Bendur Parish in various diocesan level of singing and drama competitions organized by Konkanni Natak Sabha and Kala Sampath, Mangalore.
As a singer I had that great privilege to sing Claud's very first and most popular compositions 'Swapann mujem thuton gelem' and 'Mausami' during stage programmes organized by C.A.L. Bendur and I did sing for his memorable Silver Jubilee Nite during my annual vacation few year's back. We blossomed under Shri Austin D'Souza Prabhu (now in U.S.A.) a great youth leader of our times. Down the memory lane, my memory goes back to those unforgettable and nostalgic days when we were transformed to adulthood from our childhood. I remember those great days of our youth, the C.A.L. meetings, programmes, picnics and various other youth and parish activities. I cannot forget the great fun we had, sitting on the church steps (Matt committee) at Bendur and some of such sittings ended up with informal parties at Austin Prabhu's residence at Nanthur with Claud's songs and lovely music of Edrod, Annu, & Christy. All the more how can I forget that tasty, a 'Gaul-Rose' speciality 'kori sukka' & 'sweet toddy' from Bikarnakatta?
Still green in my mind are the sweet old memories of great drama actors of our times at Bendur like Austin Prabhu, John D'Souza (Johny), Henry Rodrigues, Percy Noronha (centimeter), Oswald Saldanha (avery), Oswald D'Souza (now in Abu-Dhabi), Gerard Towers, Claud Pais, Claud D'Souza and the list goes on. Although most of these artistes are scattered around the globe in search of green pastures, Claud a humble servant of Konkann Mathaa and a lover of Konkanni music, stuck to his roots at Bendur has climbed the ladder of popularity as a great composer, singer, play-wright and an actor through his sheer hard work, commitment and determination.
Its my great privilege to present to you this sweet chord of Do-Re-Me-Fa, a chord which is close to my heart and I'm sure you will really enjoy listening to this melodious music. Thank you once again for your love, support and encouragement.
Gerry D'Mello
WINNER OF 'KARNATAKA KONKANNI SAHITYA ACADEMY AWARD-2002'
"KALASHREE" CLAUD D'SOUZA