Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (RJP)

Mangaluru, Oct 12: Sangeeth Ghar paid rich tributes to its mentor and co-founder Denis Peris with a memorial musical nite held at Don Bosco hall in city on Sunday, October 11.

The musical nite ‘Denis Peris Ek Madhur Udas’ was held in remembrance of Denis Peris on his fifth death anniversary.

The nite started after lights were lit in front of the portrait of Denis Peris by his close relatives. Fr Victor Machado presided over the brief stage function prior to the musical show.

Addressing the gathering, Fr Machado said, "I knew Denis from the first day I came to Cordel church as the assistant priest four decades back. We shared a close bond until his demise. He was a genius and a perfectionist. They say loved ones never die. They always remain with us in spirit though we physically lose them. I congratulate Peris family for holding this nite."

Denis had sung several Konkani songs in his life which were composed by the late Henry T D’Souza, Wilfy Rebimbus, Jerome D’Souza, Cha Fra and his younger brother Melwyn Peris.

Select songs sung by Denis Peris were rendered by Melwyn Peris, Rony Crasta, Anitha D’Souza, Nestor Peris and Joywan D’Souza in the memorial nite. Denis' brother Albert Peris, sisters Jacintha and Mable  and daughter Sangeetha Peris also joined the last song of the nite 'Badhalla ho kal'. Most of the songs were sung by Melwyn Peris as his voice resembles Denis’.

Joel Pereira provided music with Melwyn Fernandes, Sanjay Rodrigues, Roshan D’Souza, Melster Peris, Jerome Coelho, Roshan D’Souza and Kenny Pereira in his troupe.

Proving what Fr Machado had said about Denis ‘still living among us’ and what Jerry Rasquinha said quoting a poem ‘On my tomb, do not cry, because I did not die’, it looked like Denis had really come back at Don Bosco hall. Melwyn imitated his brother’s voice perfectly. While every song was appreciated by spontaneous claps ‘Ye Voniye’ and ‘Bahraingarachi Mai’ were big hits of the nite (Both composed by Wilfy Rebimbus). The duet sung by Anita D’Souza and Melwyn which was composed by Chafra for his drama ‘Jorji Buthel’ can be classified as one of the best duets in Konkani, if not the best. Guitar work in ‘Shobhana’ and Kenny Pereira’s saxophone were excellent in addition to the extraordinary music of Joel Pereira.

Melwyn Peris thanked the crowd and well wishers for their support. Daijiworld was media partners of the event.