Mangalore: A Tribute to Sirivant - By Eddie Sequeira
November 7, 2006
(Doha-based Eddie Sequeira does not need an introduction to many. He is a seasoned artist, graphic designer, actor, playwright, director and compere. - Editor-in-chief)
I met Sirivant, a soft-spoken gentle person in 1976 when I had just embarked on my second stint as a graphic artist in Mangalore.
He had asked me to design a book cover. Thereafter I designed several book covers, illustrations, Christmas greeting cards (which he printed in single colour on post cards and inland letters and which were sold in thousands, specially to Convents and other institutions).
I learnt a lot of good things from him. He had an eye for detail. He was meticulous in the selection of colours, types etc. He was not worried about the profits. Instead, he wanted a neat and clean job done.
And, I found that same neatness and cleanliness in his writings, poems, his wonderful short stories and in his business dealings and, above all, in his relationships. He loved what he did; he loved Konkani; he loved the fellow-writers and published their novels, nearly a hundred of them, not looking for profits, but, on the other hand, incurring losses. He always wanted to give Konkani 'the best'.
I remember another incident. Sirivant had his printing press on the outskirts of the city, and so he wanted to have an office-cum-showroom in the heart of the city. He also had a plan, in that he wanted the now-deceased V J P Saldanha 'Khaddap', wel-known Konkani writer and novelist and myself, then the only graphic artist amongst Mangalore catholic community to share the office so that we too could have a decent place to do our work. At that time there were office spaces available in a building in the heart of the city,owned by a parish which Sirivant approached.
Sadly he came back empty-handed, because they refused to rent out the office to us, saying that he wouldn't be able to pay the rent or the so-called 'deposit'. All that he had done for the community and for the language made no difference at all. In spite of the setback, he Still continued his mission of publishing books of good taste. His love for Konkani and his humble ways were just impressive.
Heartfelt condolences to the family of 'Sirivant' in whose demise Konkani has lost a true friend
May your noble soul rest in eternal peace, my friend.