Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Aug 29:
Konkani lyricist, singer, actor and writer Harry D’Souza, popularly known as Harryboy breathed his last in a hospital in Naigaon, Mumbai in the evening of Thursday, August 29 after a brief illness.
He was 90.
Born to the couple Intru and Agnes DSouza in Valencia, Mangaluru in July 1929, Harryboy first acted in a Konkani play 'Kamagarancho Ekvott' at Kankanady Maidan in the year 1936 at a tender age of 7.
He moved to Mumbai and became an instant hit as a comedian there. His first play in Mumbai as an actor was 'Luttasillem Raspott' in the year 1948. The play was produced by Bora Bazar Catholic Association.
Harryboy composed more than 500 Konkani songs, acted in more than 200 Konkani plays and wrote four plays. He was a singer too and produced 2 musical albums and published one of his book 'Mogacho Ghutt'.
He had his own music band which he nurtured and made successful for over two decades. He was famous not only among the catholic community but also with the Goans and used to speak fluently the goan dialect.
He won the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' from Kalakiran Mumbai in the year 2008 and Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy's Honorary Award for his contribution to Konkani art and culture in the year 2012.
Many Konkani activists from Mumbai as well as from Mangaluru have sent their condolences to the family of Harryboy.
Watch interview of Harryboy