Mangalore: Konkan Kogul Kindles Nostalgic Moments
by Florine Roche
Pics by Dayananda Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Aug 3: It was the fourth Wilfy Rebimbus Golden Sentimental Nite but the one that was filled with more sentiments and nostalgias than any of the Wilfy Nites conducted so far. It was moment of wistfulness for Konkani aficionados who had gathered in large numbers once again to be a part of the “Wilfy Rebimbus Golden Sentimental Nite” held in T M A Pai Auditorium and savor the golden moments of history making. For Konkan Kogul Wilfy Rebimbus, his wife Konkan Maina Meena Rebimbus and for the members of United Youngsters it was moment of history repeating itself with renewed vigor and vengeance of having withstood all the vagaries of life and coming out with flying colours having left a legacy in Konkani for generations to come. It was no mean achievement for the members of United Youngsters to stay together and work untiringly for 50 long years and in the process enrich Konkani language, literature and music.
For the great artiste Wilfy Rebimbus the stage provided the right forum as he was choked with sentiments and emotions looking at the sea of crowd that had assembled in full capacity to be a part of this concert. Before regaling the audience with his songs Wilfy took the mike to express his gratitude to the people who made the grand show of sentimental Nite a grand reality. As he spoke he was almost close to tears for the love and affection he received from Konkani lovers. “Just ten months back I thought I will not be able to sing when doctors told me about my ill health. It was then I prayed to god requesting him to take my life but if you keep me alive you have to allow me to sing. He listened to my prayers and after the successful operation here I am in front of you”, said an emotionally charged Wilfy to the thunderous applause of the assembled Konkani premis.
With his wife standing beside him Wilfy thanked all those who stood behind him in thick of times, the hospital authorities, the doctors, family members, friends, well-wishers and all those who were responsible for his speedy recovery. Expressing his gratitude to his fans that have made him what he is today he said “it was your inspiration and good words that helped me to work for the last 50 years and I am grateful to you for your continuous patronage and support”.
For the eagerly awaiting crowd which had gathered in large numbers to fill the 2000 capacity hall Wilfy and his family comprising wife Meena, Veena and Arthur and their two kids and Vishwas and Charleen sang the first song of the nite “Sangeet Kutamb he Amchen”, which was apt on the occasion and the crowd expressed their appreciation and happiness with a generous applause.
It was a sentimental nite to the core as 10 of the total 17 songs that were sang were songs on requests from the fans that had sent their requests to the organizers in advance. Wilfy’s wife Meena, children Veena and Vishwas along with singers Rony D Cunha, Ivan Sequeira, Rathan Castelino, Prem Kumar, Claude, Munita Veigas, Charleen, Stany D Souza and Prashanth Raj sang the songs written and composed by Wilfy to take people back to those nostalgic moments of yesteryears. Though there were requests from people the organizers had selected a combination of songs that appealed to everyone and a good mixture of love, sentiments, tribute to motherhood, motherland, romance and comedy.
Veena Pais sang the song penned by Wilfy in praise of Mangalore “Pranam tuka Kartha sobhith muja shera, ulo thuka Martha muja mogacha mangalura”, which was written on the city of Mangalore. Meena on the other hand chose to sing “Muja kalzachi ha leak udi apaytha tuje namv”, paying glowing tributes to the one thing dearer to us all - ‘mother’. Songs played on popular requests included “Zeena”, “Lakhanth Eklen”, a must in most Konkani marriages or roce functions ‘illo illo illo di maka to thuzo mog dora’, “Naman thuka Avaipana” “Jacintha”, “Philomena” and the famous filmy song “Mog tuzo kithlo Ashelo”. The final bonanza came in the form of a medley sung by Wilfy, Meena, Ivan, Rathan, Munita, Vishwas, Charleen, Rony, Veena, Arthur, Prem and Claude. Some of the songs were accompanied by dances thus adding colour, glamour and visual effect to the songs.
The monotony in between the songs was broken by the comedy shows of Dolla, Kulla with Me-Mo-Re trio sending the assembled crowd to a riot of laughter and fans never realized they spent 3 hours inside the hall just listening to music. 9 musicians provided musical accompaniment to the singers.
The actual programme of music began at 6.30 after an hour of stage programme but the fans never complained. Bishop of Mangalore Rt Rev Aloysius Paul D Souza who was the chief guest honoured Wilfy and his Meena with the shawl and memento. Speaking on the occasion the Bishop said Wilfy’s songs have a distinct touch and a rare style. He is an institution in itself, an ocean of music and a flowing river. He has brought respect and honour to Konkani language and to Konkani people”.
The guests of honour on stage included Felix Lobo, Leo Rodrigues, Lawrence Pinto, James Mendonca, Stany Fernandes, Ronald F D Souza and Walter Nandalike. Even Sponsor and NRI businessman Ronald Colaco presented Wilfy with a Memento. In his congratulatory speech Ronald Colaco said “Wilfy’s life has been like an open book. Development of language depends on the developments made in the fields of music, language and literature. Wilfy has been responsible for laying a strong foundation for the growth of the language in his own way”.
The occasion also marked the symbolic launch of Wilfy Rebimbus' 40 music albums in a single pouch. Member of the honorary committee and NRI businessman Leo Rodrigues released Wilfy Rebimbus' 40 music albums in a single pouch. Editor-in-Chief of daijiworld.com Walter Nandalike proposed a vote of thanks.
The tickets of the Golden Sentimental Nite were sold out a week in advance and were even available in black at an exorbitant cost. People had thronged to the TMA Pai hall from different parishes, taluks and districts, from Bangalore, Mysore, Goa and some had even arrived from the gulf specifically to be a part of the Sentimental Nite. There was a deluge of people at the auditorium who unfortunately had to return due to non availability of tickets. Despite the disappointment for Konkani lovers this is a welcome development from the point of view of Konkani language and culture.
The evening was spent hilariously amid sentimental and nostalgic moments and a definite paisa vasool in all respects. Only those who missed the tickets would rue having missed a golden opportunity.
The entire four and half hour stage as well as musical event, was compered by Leslie Rego in his dynamic and unique style. Rego also had coordinated the event.