by Gladson D'Almeida
Daijiworld Media Network

Doha, Jun 10: He was Konkani’s numero uno entertainer for almost half a century. He mesmerized the audience all along with his unmatched talent and down-to-earth nature. He was a legend and still remains a legend. He did not walk on a ready path but created his own way. He showed the way and the rest just followed. It’s more than two years since he has left us to join the heavenly choir yet even today he is alive through his works, through his words and though his music. His legacy continues unabated. His name still has the charisma to draw in a full-house audience on any day, at any place and for any cause.

Yes! We are talking about not an individual but an institution called Wilfy Rebimbus. If naysayers ever thought that Wilfy would disappear from the hearts and minds of the Konkani buffs after his demise two years ago, they were wrong. His name and fame is still intact and his works still have the ability to woo his fans.

This was evidently visible at the Ras Lafan hall of Concorde Hotel here on Friday June 8 evening. The occasion was Wilfy Day 2012 and the theme was celebrating womanhood through the immortal songs of the late Wilfy Rebimbus. The programme was scheduled to start at 5.30 and by then the hall that can accommodate 250 persons was already full and the fans were still thronging in. The organisers could not have asked for anything more than this. While the first Wilfy Day held in April 2011 was more of a spontaneous programme, the second one was a well-planned and aesthetically executed tribute to Father of Konkani music.

The programme began with the keynote address by Eddie Sequeira, the brain behind this unique tribute, perhaps the first-of-its-kind to the late Wilfy Rebimbus. A few minutes at the beginning were utilised for acknowledging the monetary support provided by well-wishers. The programme formally began with a short address followed by prayer by Fr Anand Castelino, the spiritual director of Qatar’s Konkani-speaking community.

The first part of the programme was a musical tribute to Wilfy while celebrating the womanhood through his immortal Konkani songs. It was Nandita D’Silva who provided the perfect start to the evening with the fabulous rendering of ‘Eik Naari Sovnsarari’, one of Wilfy’s earliest compositions dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Doha’s popular musician Lancy D’Souza had prepared a beautiful track for the song which was presented in a new way. Another earliest compositions of Wilfy ‘Chali Thi Vartovta’ was next in the line. Young and talented dancers Elreena, Anushka, Gisheal, Clarissa, Adlene, Sharel and Astra presented an eye-catching dance choreographed by Prabha Rego to the foot-tapping tunes of Wilfy. The programme was envisaged in such a manner that an entire life cycle of a woman was presented through Wilfy’s songs. Rupal Aroza who made it to the semi-finals of SOAD-3 International a couple of months ago then presented melodious song ‘Chal Chal tu Nennteaponna’ with the playing kids Chrisel, Reona, Nikita & Navita. Qatar’s melodious queens Wilma Pinto, Namita D’Souza, Jovita Pereira, Pramila Monteiro and Sunitha Tellis’ entry to the stage with the song ‘Chedwa Chotrai’ was welcomed with a thunderous applause.

Sana Britto who shot to fame with her stupendous performance at the finals of the SOAD-3 International is a rare combination of talents, beauty and brains. Her entry to the stage was most-awaited one and she did not disappoint either. Her mellifluous voice was tailor-made for the foot-tapping number ‘Aaj Tumi Fulanakat’ and her presentation proved that she is taking giant steps towards scaling greater heights in singing.

As the time went on some of the most popular songs of Wilfy such as ‘Kitem-go Kitem Jata Tuka’, ‘Pondra Vorsa Sarun’, ‘Atam Atam Sarvanchi Dixt’, ‘Mai Sunechi Ladai’, ‘Ago Ye Chedwa’, ‘Striyo’ were presented by local singers Nina Fernandes, Wilma Pinto, Emilia Castelino, Lona Pinto, Jane Pinto, Namita D’Souza, Jovita, Sana Britto, Cybil D’Souza, Rhea Castelino,  Elreena Pinto, Chrisel Pinto, Rupal Aroza,  Vincent Fernandes , Wilson Mendonca, Naveen D’Souza , Kirthan Rodrigues kept the audience glued to their seats.

‘Rado-naka Dhuve’ an emotional number was presented in a unique way. While Veena and Arthur presented the song, Jacintha, Sheldon & Sharon Mendonca, Benjamin Rebeiro, Aloysius & Merlyn D’Souza, Albert & Della Rego, Charles D’Mello, Rhea Castelino and Dylan D’Souza enacted the Mangalorean marriage. It was moving and well-visualised and the full-house audience gave a standing ovation as the song ended. One particular number that has become a cult song in the last few decades among the Konkani people is ‘Kitem Zai Kitem Zai’. The song was presented by Doha’s singing couple Remy & Namita D’Souza much to the delight of the audience. Qatar’s favourite Rupert Lobo’s solo number Mog Naka Ankwarponni was another much-awaited and much-appreciated performance of the evening along with the GVOM II runners-up Prima Pinto’s presentation of Jalo re Bala. Emerging singer Remy D’Souza’s solo number ‘Naman Tuka Avoiponna’ was one of the best performances of the evening. The day also marked the long-awaited musical arangetram of Arvin Pais, the son of Veena-Arthur Pais with the song ‘Mamma Saang’ originally sung by his maternal uncle Vishawas Rebimbus.
A special mention needs to be made about the presentation of one of Wilfy’s all-time favourite touching number ‘Bahrain-garachi Mai’.

Doha’s artistes Naveen D’Souza, Leena lobo, Sandeep & Jyoti Noronha, Reona & Saloni Lobo enacted the song as the original track in Wilfy’s voice was played at the background. The musical fiesta ended with the song Striyo sung by Nina, Wilma, Namitha, Jovita, Sunitha, Pramila, Emilia.

The entire musical tribute was planned in manner as if it was a single piece wherein characters came in a played their role. Crisp anchoring by Mable Fernandes, Prabha Rego and Eddie Sequeira and beautifully executed songs was an exhibition of planning of highest order. It was breathtaking to say the least and the organisers must be feted for their meticulous planning wherein audience’s interest too was kept in mind while utilising every moment.

Sana Britto who topped the commerce stream in the 12th std Board Exams and secured the highest ever aggregate in the history of her school and Rupal Aroza who too scored above 90% in the Board exams were felicitated by the organisers and were presented with the memento.

Once the musical gala was over, it was time for Konkani poetry session. A first Konkani Kavi Goshti was held in Qatar last year during the first Wilfy day and the orgnisers responding to the public demand continued the tradition. The Konkani poetry session was moderated by Gladson D’Almeida. Prabha Rego, Della Rego, Vivek Monteiro, Veena Pais along with senior Konkani poet Eddie Sequeira and Gladson D’Almeida recited the Konkani poems written by them while Arthur Pais presented a poem written by the late Wilfy. Just like the last year large number of audience supported and encouraged the poets.

But it was young Marilyn Rego daughter of Naveen and Pramila Rego who was the special attraction of poetry session. She recited a poem “Mojhi Mumma’ written by her. It was a delight to listen to a young girl reciting Konkani poem at a poetry session along with others.

The second Wilfy Day came to an end with the impromptu singing of melodious number Konknni Amchi Bhaas’ by the gathering.

It was Eddie Sequeira who conceptualized, visualized, directed and presented the programme. He was one of the pillars of Wilfy Nites in Mangalore and abroad in the late 1980s. He shared a special bond with Wilfy and had the privilege of association with Wilfy for long. Hence he could pay such a befitting tribute in the company of Wilfy’s daughter Veena and son-in-law Arthur. Jovin, another pillar of Wily’s troupe had prepared special tracks and sent all along from Mangalore for the programme while Qatar’s very own musician Remy D’Souza too made his contribution by providing tracks.

It was a three-hour-long programme and did not take even one minute more than the scheduled time. Those who wish to host programmes should take a leaf out from Wilfy Day.  It was well-planned, executed and presented programme. There was no room for confusion even though more than 40 singers and actors’ performances had to be synchronized together. Envisaging such a programme without ready sponsors at hand but hoping that Wilfy’s fans would come forward and contribute itself is a difficult task. Then again hosting an event in beautiful hall at a Star hotel without any ticket and even saving some money out of the total contribution and providing it for the noble cause of helping the cancer patients needs to be hailed. Special mention needs to be made about the audience who came in large numbers and stayed till the end. They proved that Wilfy is an immortal force in Konkani and that Konkani buffs still love the legendary Wilfy Rebimbus.

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