From the editor’s desk: -
Dear Do..Re..Me..Fa.. browsers,
Once again, it’s my unique privilege to welcome you all to listen to the sweet musical chords of ‘Konkan’ in your favourite music column ‘Do..Re..Me..Fa..’.
“One who sings prays twice”. Certainly it’s a divine saying! Today, I am here to present before you such a sweet divine chord who has dedicated his entire life for divine music for the Greater Glory of God, the Church music! I am truly fortunate to present to you such an unique chord of Music, who has made the city of Mangalore proud in the commercial city of Mumbai, a star even in its ripe age remained a ‘shining star’ who is none other than “Shri Walter Joseph Pais of Mumbai” who has committed his entire life to serve God through Music.
I am certainly sure that you will really enjoy listening to this sweet and unique chord of Music. In a very special way, I wish to take this opportunity to thank Konkanni’s great poet/writer Ancy Paladka for all his initiative in gathering details of Walter Pais.
Thank you once again, for listening to this divine chord of Music! See you next month, same column, same site! Until then, bye!
Yours in Do..Re..Me..Fa..,
Gerry D’Mello, Bendur.
“SERVING GOD THROUGH MUSIC”
The Life song of Walter Joseph Pais
“I believe in emphasizing the words spoken by our Lord Jesus to teach us great truths and I have used them for my lyrics.” “I have dedicated my life in the field of Church music and that field fascinates me.” These are the words of now Septuagenarian Walter Joseph Pais whose life has been a love song to God. He wanted to serve God as His anointed priest, but God had his own designs for Walter. As a Seminarian studying for priesthood, Bro. Walter suffered a major setback by losing his eyesight at the age of 23. He lost the ability to read, so he had to discontinue his studies at the Seminary. Out of the Seminary, while leading a devout life, he took as his mission to promote church music.
Childhood and early education: -
Walter Joseph Pais was the darling child of John Boniface Pais and Stella Mary Castelino. He was born in a devout family residing at Hampankatta in the Parish of Milagres Church, Mangalore on 18th December 1934. He had 3 brothers and 3 sisters. Eldest brother is now a Jesuit priest by the name of Everic Pais S.J. and is working as a missionary in Nagaland. One of his elder sisters, Sr. Joan Pais is a Sister of Charity nun for the last 60 years!
After his matriculation at Milagres High School, Mangalore, Walter Pais joined St. Joseph’s Seminary for priesthood. But at the age of 23, deep in the pursuit of philosophical and theological studies and his favourite study of music, he suffered a major setback in the Seminary. He lost his eyesight and lost his ability to read. Consequently, he had to discontinue his studies at the Seminary.
Out again in the wide world, he had to settle in life. In 1960 in search of green pastures, Walter went to Doha-Qatar for work and later to Dubai. In the meantime, he married Leola Wade and had two sons by the name of Ranjit and Deepak, and 3 daughters named Simmi, Poonam and Vijaya. In 1985, he returned to Bombay (now Mumbai) where he happily resides with his family even to-date.
Walter’s Tryst with Music: -
Walter was fond of music even from his childhood. He got a solid foundation in music at the Seminary under the reputed musicians, Fr. Belleri S.J. and Fr. Pasi S.J