Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Apr 13: Legendary brass band maestro of the Bejai Brass Band “Konkan Sangeeth Shree” Harry D’Souza passed away here on Wednesday, April 13 due to age related illness.

Harry D’Souza was a musician who composed one tune every day, a music teacher who taught brass bands in 13 schools of city, a singer who enthralled the audience with his own Musical Nites, at the same time regaled the wedding guests in private wedding parties, an efficient managing proprietor of a century old Brass Band, a poet with a book of his own poems. 

Here is a profile and an introduction to his personality which every Konkanni Music lover should be familiar with.

Family-background and childhood

Harold Cyril D’Souza (Harry) was born on 21 October 1950 in Bejai Parish Manglore, to a renowned century old music family whose profession was playing Brass Band for social and other public occasions. His grand-father was Lawrence D’Souza (Lorsam) who founded the music band in 1906 (first generation), which acquired the popular name of “Lorsam’s Band.” Lorsam’s son and Harry’s father was Michael Ambrose D’Souza (Ediyab).

In 1953, Ediyab took over the helm of his father’s band which became famous under the name of “Ediyab’s Silver Jubilee Band” (second generation). Ediyab’s wife was Stella Mary D’Souza. They had two children, the eldest was Harry and the second was a girl named Janet. In 1982 Harry shouldered the leadership of the Band which is now renowned by the name of “Harry’s Silver Band” (third generation). It will be celebrating its ‘Centenary Jubilee Year’ from Easter 2005 to Easter 2006!

The boy Harry studied upto 3rd Std. In St.Francis Xavier’s School, Bejai. Rest of his education upto matriculation was done at St Aloysius, Mangaluru.

Harry has won several accolades including Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy-2002 award, Konkani Sangeeth Shree award and the state's highest Rajyotsava award.