Mangalore : The Legend's Last Journey
Thousands Pay Befitting Farewell to Konkani Legend
Pics by Dayananda Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network
Watch Video: The Legend Wilfy Rebimbus' Last Journey... Click Here
Photo Album -1 Click Here
Photo Album -2 Click Here
Photo Album -3 Click Here
Mangalore, Mar 11: Thursday March 11 was a day of great sorrow to numerous fans, well-wishers and family as they had bid a final adieu to Wilfy Rebimbus, who was dear to their heart. The clergy, nuns, common people, professionals all forgetting their routine for a day, setting aside their own discomfort became a part of personal pain and loss of Wilfy's family.
As the pall bearers carrying the mortal remains of Wilfy entered the Jeppu seminary grounds here, the church bells were sounded to convey the sad message in the neighbourhood. Mourners in thousands with flowers and bouquets in hand from nook and corner of Dakshina Kannada and far off places like Chickmagalur, Bangalore, Coorg, and rest of the parts of Karnataka as well as abroad, singing holy hymns made their way towards the venue where the body was placed for public view and reverence.
The body was placed at the venue for two hours before a commemoration mass that took place about 4 o'clock. In the background, the devotional songs created by Wilfy over the period of time were playing creating the right ambience. The choir podium was also set and was used by a choir group of approximate 25 singers led by Sri Prem Lobo, one of the prominent members of United Youngsters and member of Wilfy's troupe for the past 25 years for a marathon run of devotional singing that continued till the high commemoration mass that commenced around 4 o'clock.
A great arrangement was in place to accommodate a huge crowd as well as seating arrangement for 5,000 people was made on the grounds in front of St Joseph's church at the seminary view compound, the compound where Wily was born and bred and brought up.
Many shared their views about the man. Ivan D’Souza, a prominent youth leader said that Wilfy was neither a political leader nor represented any particular sect. He was beyond all the political streams and represented a wider human community.
Pappan and his associates came all the way from Kerala and had been a part of Wilfy's troupe whether it was a programme held in India or abroad. He said, “I have lost my brother and I don’t foresee my future in Konkani.”
Some of the other prominent personalities and singers such as Prem Kumar, Claud D'Souza, Ivan Sequeira and Joswin Pinto, who had been associated with Wilfy along with his journey of music paid rich tributes to his legacy. Among others, who arrived to pay the respects to the great man were Rajani Dugganna, the newly elected mayor of Mangalore City Corporation accompanied by the deputy mayor Rajendra and corporator Ranganath Kini.
Commemoration of High Mass
As the choir sings to the tunes of `Kitlem Sobhit Mandir Tujem' the celebrants of the high mass led by the Bishop of Mangalore Diocese Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, accompanied by the Bishop of Shimoga, Jerald Isac Lobo and 73 priests marched towards the altar which is decorated and beautified. Just below the holy altar was placed the body of Wilfy Rebimbus.
Fr Victor Machado, rector, St Joseph's Seminary delivered the homily pacifying the members of Wilfy's family and his fans alike. He said, Wilfy Rebimbus throughout his illustrious career, besides doing wonders in music, also strived for the welfare of the society and loved the poor.
The Bishop D’Souza in a brief note, stressed the human values, dignity and contribution Wilfy Rebimbus gave to his family, the people around him and the society at large. He also expressed his gratitude to the Almighty for giving Wilfy to the human kind as a gift to the Mangalorean society.
Rev Fr Andrew D'Souza, the parish preist of Jeppu Church paid condolences on behalf of the parishioners in the form of a song written and composed by Wilfy himself. He described Wilfy as a great leader of society and king of music. He said, “Jeppu vicinity was his favourite and he always tried to do something good for its environment.”
In his eulogy, Dr Edward Nazareth, a well known writer himself narrated the human nature of Wilfy and said `Besides being an artiste himself he treated other artistes in equal compassion and solidarity. Wilfy is fortunate person to be loved and respected by each member of his family till the end of his life. “Although he was recognized as a singer during his initial days, the depth in his poetry, the literary values in his songs and high quality sentiments made him different from others.”
Rev Fr Denis DSa, Administrator, Fr Muller Medical College, while paying tributes on behalf of all the priests of the diocese, felt that he was a friend of priests and a great supporter of church.
Although he had his own views about the church, he had been a constructive critique. He was bold enough to condemn the atrocity and misgivings through his songs in a witty and entertaining spirit.
He can well be described as a mirror of our society. Further Fr D'Sa said `great people are simple and humble and Wilfy was one among them'.
The legendary Wilfy Rebimbus was laid to rest with honour in the presence of vast crowd of relatives, clergy, friends, fans and well wishers at Jeppu Cemetery alongside the tombs of his family members, including his eldest brother Gracian Rebimbus.
Meena, Wilfy's beloved wife, who always stood by him through his life’s journey, was led towards the grave along with her children and daughter in law, son in law and grand children to have the last glimpse of their beloved to the accompaniment of gloomy music played by the Brass Band and prayers.
The Bishop of Mangalore Rt. Rev. Aloysius Paul D’Souza offered the final prayers dedicating the mortal remains of Wilfy to God and consigning it to the dust. He invoked blessings of Holy Spirit and the Saints to take his soul to heaven in their grace.
As the hymn, `tuji kushi zanv' is being enchanted the casket bearing Wilfy's mortal remains was lowered into prepared grave. A pin drop silence prevailed as the bereaved family members' grief was heart rending and they were inconsolable.
Vishwas the eldest son placed the white cloth over the face and over mortal remains was covered with the cloth signalling the end of the great legend and Konkani ‘s hero “Wilfy Rebimbus’s” life's journey and the symbol of man's return to the dust.
Long Live Wilfy Rebimbus – one of Konkani’s undisputed king. Hail the King.
Daijiworld.com streamed the five-hour event live from Jeppu Seminary Ground and from the Jeppu Cemetary. Thousands of people around the globe acknowledged the live coverage, as they could not attend the funeral personally and appreciated the efforts by Daijworld.com team in facilitating them to watch live online.