From the editor's desk :

Welcome browsers to the Do-Re-Me-Fa column again. After going through my earlier four sweet chords you must be awaiting anxiously for my next chord.

I started my music career as a young choir boy in my native parish of Bendur, Mangalore. I used to enjoy singing hymns like 'Vandan Thuka Somiya', 'Jevnnachya Vellin', 'Jezu Jezu' & so on. Obviously I was a silent admirer of the composer of these wonderful hymns and I never expected that one day I would be privileged to have a close-knit friendship with this great composer. Again I never expected both of us would land in the same parish of Ruwi where I am sailing in my future dinghy here in Oman. This great composer is none other than our own dear Shri Apolinaris Paul D'Souza from the Parish of Valencia, Mangalore.

Apoli is the name loved and adored by Music lovers all over Oman too. Be it Konkanni festive Mass, Feast of Nativity Celebrations or any Konkanni drama Apoli's contribution is enormous and outstanding. He is an active choir master for over 2 decades in the Ruwi Parish but as of now due to various reasons he is compelled to remain in the background so that he may concentrate on the production of an Audio CD in Latin to be presented by Ruwi Church to commemorate its Silver Jubilee this year.

Hope you will enjoy reading this collective new Chord of Do-Re-Me-Fa.

Gerry D'Mello

“APOLI” – The Grand Choir Master of Ruwi

Apolinaris D`Souza

Shri Apoli’s name is very popular and most dear to all the parishioners of Sts. Peter & Paul church here in Oman.  He was born on 8th January 1953 in the parish of Valencia, Mangalore.  His father is Joseph and mother is Alice D’Souza who are no more.  He has 3 brothers and 3 sisters, all of them are well known singers / musicians.  His younger brother Shri Oswald D’Souza is known as a ‘Prince of Konkanni Songs’ with many Konkanni cassettes to his credit. Apoli’s wife is Joyce with whom he lives in Muscat.  He has two sons.  Elder son Jollin after finishing his Master’s degree in Engineering in the United States is working over there.  Second son Joslin too is in U.S.A. undergoing his studies in Engineering.  Both his sons are great musicians and have won several awards in music on various levels.  Apoli’s brother-in-law Shri Harry Rasquinha is also a great musician contributing his best through his unique music talent in the Ruwi parish.

Q  :   When and where did your interest in music originate and how did it develope?

A :  When I was a small boy I used to admire my dad singing with enthusiasm and zest all the hymns of those days by heart!  That was, so to say, the only “Radio / Pop music channel” we had at home at that time!  My elder brother Albert D’Souza was also a driving force to all of his 3 younger brothers to take active part in musical activities.  My second elder brother (late) Marcel D’Souza who had a fine voice used to sing as a playback singer in Konkanni dramas held at Valencia and Don Bosco Hall in Mangalore.  Seeing Marcel’s highly appreciated role, I and my younger brother Oswald too fol