Fr. Matthew Almeida

Meet Fab4, Goa’s newest band to hit the road.

FAB4: Another band hits the road !

Walter Menezes catches up with members of Fab4, Goa’s new band.

They come from different backgrounds and fall in different age brackets. But what binds them together is their immense love for music. They have played for different bands and groups, some of them still around and kicking.

Not many, however, take the plunge and decide to have a band of their own.

Meet Fab4, Goa’s newest band to hit the road.



[ Pic: (Clockwise, from top) Danny, Edwin, Selwyn and Diogo]

From Songit-Sanz to Songit-Sangati

For Edwin Fernandes, the band leader, this is a dream come true. “It happened all too quickly. Dalgado Konkani Akademi (DKA) was gearing up for the Poilem Konknni (Romi Lipi) Sahitya ani Sonvskruti Sommelon in December 2008. We were practicing for a programme of Konknni songs and instrumentals, Songit-Sanz, organized by Kepemchi Konkani Kushawati in association with DKA and staged in Kepem. Danny, Diogo and me…during the practice sessions, we realized there was a certain chemistry happening between us, that we were able to gel well. Selwyn joined us later,” he tells me.

A former librarian at the US Dept. of Defense in Kuwait, Edwin was part of the US Army’s 5-piece band and has performed at US bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. Having played for Goan bands like Wild Reeds, Eagles, Ecstasy and Royal Music, he was waiting ‘in his boat’ for sometime now for the big wave to arrive.

Danny Fernandes, on the keyboards, is young and bursting with energy. Always on the dot and on his toes, he has worked for Taj Exotica and is a regular sight at parties and functions with his one-man band. He has traveled all over India with Kepemchim Kirnnam (KK), the cultural troupe. “I am always with KK but last year when Eric Ozario’s Konknni Nirantari created history and entered the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest non-stop singing marathon by multiple singers of Konknni choirs, unfortunately, I could not make it,” he regrets.

Diogo Rebello is the drummer-boy. A seasoned member with a past history of bands like Eagles, Hard Rocks, Sensations and Excellence, music runs naturally in his veins. His late father, Alleluia, was a reputed violinist and no ladainha in the village could ever be complete without him. Louis, his uncle, too played for Goa’s once-upon-a- time famous band, Louis & His Melodians. “I still remember the first time I performed at a local wedding reception. I was only fourteen then. Sitting on the stool behind the drum-set, my leg was hardly able to pump the pedal,” laughs the Goa Shipyard employee.

Selwyn Pereira, the bass guitarist, is the only member who is not from Kepem. Shuttling between his duties at Kenilworth Beach Resort, Utorda and Angels, the Curchorem-based choir, he started his innings on the music turf with the band, Bal Amis.


On His Majesty’s Public Service

“In January, we began practicing hard and putting our act together,” Edwin informs.
‘That was the time when we got a lucky break,” Danny chips in. Carnival Committees in Curchorem and Kepem got wind of Fab4 and the band was immediately booked to be part of King Momo’s parade at both the places.

“We played our hearts’ out! With fun-loving people lined up on both sides of the road and enjoying every bit of our music, we really made our presence felt,” the leader, who is also the lead guitarist, gushes with happiness.

Band with a Difference

“So, is Fab4 going to be another chip of the old block or are you going to be different?”

“At the moment, our aim is be one of the best bands in Goa. But we want to be remembered as a band with a difference. Playing music which is live, which has a strong vocal harmony and which will appeal to all ages. Ballroom, Salsa, Samba, we have it all. Our big set, I believe, is what is going to set us apart,” Edwin enlightens.

“And what about this thing called sequencing?”

“No sequences. No digital programming. That’s a promise. We practice every alternate day. We want to keep ourselves and our music-machines fit and well oiled,” Danny breaks in.

“So is that all?”

“No, not exactly,” Edwin is not finished. “No wedding reception, we know, can ever be complete without the Dekhni and classics like Mollbailo Dou. We would like to go beyond that. Do some original Konknni tracks. And also set to music the lyrics of some of our Konknni poets and composers.”

The Beatles and the Bond

“The Beatles were the undisputed Fab4. Is there any connect between them and the name of your band?”

“Yes, of course. We would like to be constantly inspired by the Beatles whose innovative music and cultural impact helped define the 1960s,” Danny reminds at once.


On April 15, Fab4 will ‘appear’ for their first formal performance at a wedding reception to be hosted at Eden Gardens, Kepem.

Till then, it’s going to be a hard day’s night for the boys, as they sharpen their skills!

FACT FILE
Edwin: Lead / vocals
Danny: Keyboards / vocals
Diogo: Drums
Selwyn: Bass / vocals

(This article first appeared on Gomantak Times, Goa on 31.03.2009)


Contact details of FAB4:
Email: fab4theband@ ymail.com
Band Members: Edwin: 9822673775, Danny: 9850066623, Diogo: 9823572388, Selwyn: 9422742681


About Walter Menezes:Hailing from Quepem, Cusmane, Goa, he has published several Konkani books (short stories (khota), poems (Kovita) and regularly contributes to JIVIT - Konkani monthly magazine and Gulf-Goans e-Newsletter. He also does cartooning for the Gomantak Times, though recently, and only last week his 50th cartoon was published by them.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goa World Goa Mog Goa SuRaj Super Goa (em Português) TGF Writers' Sketchpad www.colaco.net www.goa-world. com/goa/music/ - The Online Konkani Music Station Mahableshwar http://www.mahables hwar.com St. Mary's School - Mt Abu, Rajasthan India http://www.abusms. com http://www.goa- dc.com/flvvid/ ikonkani. html http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=aTduCJkQNiQEXPRESSIONS - THE FLOWER SHOP http://www.goa- world.com/ expressions/http://www.w3. org/2006/ 10/SSML/papers/ paper.pdfGOA MAG ONLINE http://www.goamag. net http://mumbaihangou t.org/radio/ http://www.renewals etc.com/renewals.htm

>
http://www.goa-world.com/GOA/music/live.htm

TODAY IS VALENTINE'S DAY... 14/2/2009

TODAY IS VALENTINE'S DAY...

Have a look at the cartoon by Walter Menezes.

This one appeared on Gomantak Times today, 14.02.2009

59 KONKANI ALBUMS AND STILL RECORDING!

59 KONKANI ALBUMS AND STILL RECORDING!


Lawry Travasso, the singing sensation of Konkani, back from Kuwait after launching his latest VCD, Ekuch Zap Kor, shares snippets about his journey on the Konkani stage with Walter Menezes.


He sets the Konkani stage on fire every time he steps on it. And when he sings, he casts a magic spell on the listeners and they always cry out: once more! He is only 35 and already on top of the world. On one occasion, while performing in Navelim, he was called for a record number of eight times on the stage for his comedy song, Moddganvcho Bazaar! In 2006, at a special ceremony held during Mario Menezes’ tiatr, Tanchem Chintat, Timvuim Mon’xam, he was crowned ‘The Melody King of Goa’.

He still ‘wears’ that crown, but not on his head. The big, golden pendant in the shape of a crown adorning his chain is a constant reminder of his remarkable journey on Konkani stage. With 59 audio and video albums under his belt, he has indeed come a long way.



The early days…

“I used to take part in the school gatherings and the programmes organized by our parish. My father provided constant support. When I was in the 8th standard, we formed a music group called Co-ordinators. I was the lead vocalist. We were soon playing at local weddings and doing a good job too! However, the band did not last long. Littles was our next experiment.”

The big break…

“I was in the 10th standard. My parents were worked up because they felt that playing for a band would mess up my studies. We were performing at a wedding in Curchorem when John Claro spotted me. ‘Can you sing a kantar in my tiatr, Rostadak Vostad?’ he asked. John Claro’s tiatr had a star-studded cast. M. Boyer, Mike Mehta, Wilmix-Sharon and Sabina. Did I develop cold feet? Oh, no! I just went there on the stage and sang my heart out.”

The climb to the top…

“Suddenly I found myself in the company of professionals. It was a wonderful feeling. John Claro offered me a small role in his next tiatr, Tambddi Mati and I sang two songs as well. The applause became louder in William de Curtorim’s Ankvarponn Sonsunk Zainam. And in C D Silva’s tiatr, Ganjil I not only sang but played the main role.”



The albums, the artists…

“During the last 12 years since I first stepped on stage, I have to my credit 59 Konkani audio and video albums. That I think is a record! All the leading lights of the Konkani stage have blessed my efforts and sung in my albums. I was privileged to have Lorna, Goa’s Nightingale, in Fottovlem. Most of the albums have been produced by Manfa Music and a few by V P Sinari and Music House. I have now started my own company, Travasso Music & Plastics which handles the nitty-gritty of producing an album once the master copy is received from the recording studio.”

The lyrics and the music…

“I live in a quiet village in Kepem. The Kushavati flows gently behind my house. This place inspires me. Sometimes, music comes first. Sometimes, it is the lyrics. Best time is late in the night when everyone around you is fast asleep. I focus on the values of life. Yes, there are comedy songs too and those that comment on current affairs.”

The world is a (Konkani) stage…

“Konkani stage has taken me all over the globe, from countries in the Gulf to Germany, Canada, Portugal and UK. Every time we go abroad with a tiatr, we feel we are doing something for Konkani avoi. Goans in these countries at once feel bonded with their motherland and their mother-tongue. Once, when we were performing in Swindon, the scene outside the hall was unbelievable. I felt like I was in Agxechea bazarant!”

The formidable four…

“I have worked under Prince Jacob, Roseferns, Milagres de Chandor, Pascoal Rodrigues and other directors. I am now exclusively with Mario Menezes. He is a great director and my guru. He fine-tuned my acting capabilities. Even today he corrects me. He crafts his story in such a way that the plot always revolves around Agnes D’Silva, Rosy Alvares, Mario and me. Naginn follows a similar pattern.”

The awards, the recognitions…

“In the tiatr competitions of Kala Akademi, I received the ‘Best Singer Award’ on four occasions. I was Gulab’s ‘Best Singer’ in 2005. Brain Box Institute, Assolna felicitated me in 2006 and in 2007, I was honoured by Konkani Songit Somajik Kola Kendr from Taleigao with Dr Jack de Sequeira Awards for ‘Best Singer’ and for ‘the highest number of Konkani albums’.”




The scales of (in)justice…

“I was part of Mario Menezes’ cultural group on the second day of the Poilem Konkani (Romi Lipi) Sahitya ani Sonvskruti Sommelon. We went there to express our solidarity with the organizers. Those who read and write Konkani in Romi script have received a raw deal. We have to fight against this injustice. Why should a writer be discriminated on the basis of script?”

The Tiatr Academy…

“Chief Minister Digambar-bab Kamat has proved that he means what he says. I salute him. I feel a lot of good will happen under the leadership of Tomazinho Cardozo.”

The road ahead…

“Having written and set to music more than 600 compositions, I would like to publish my book/s of Konkani songs, complete with notes and solfams. I would also like to produce another 41 albums before I turn 50! A 100 Konkani Albums, that will be a real record.

The parting words…

Please, please buy only original CDs and VCDs. If you purchase pirated copies, we, the artistes suffer. But Konkani avoi suffers the most!”

(courtesy: Gomantak Times / 3 February 2009)
>
http://www.goa-world.com/GOA/music/live.htm

Promoting written Konkani, how?

Promoting written Konkani, how?

Konkani enthusiast Walter Menezes from Quepem is into poetry, writing and even sketching.
He talks of his work, and how even a couple of cross-language book reviews (of Konkani books, but written in English) had their good impact.

http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=X2baYcUdZ3M&feature=channel_page

A DRAMATIC EXIT !

to,
the editor.

find below my article, 'a dramatic exit', which
appeared on gomantak times dt 11/12/07, for your kind
consideration.

thanking you,
walter


A DRAMATIC EXIT !


By: Walter Menezes

Sanny de Quepem’s second album of Konknni gitam simply
titled NRI, contains a memorable track. The last song,
Flight Kuwait-Goa (Part 2), continues to echo in the
corridors of your heart, long after it is over. And
only Sanny, who had lived in Kuwait and knew what it
meant to be away from home and loved ones, could have
penned such lyrics of love and longing. Your heart
bleeds when the beloved, all alone at home, sings:

Kuwait than tum phone-ar uloita, ast bhagonam
Ghara ken’na ietolo, vincharlear sangonam
Uxem vengent dhortam, tuzo hat lagonam
Ugddas ietoch, phone-axim bostam
Phone vazonam!

In the early hours of November 10, when the cell phone
rang at Sanny’s Goa residence at Sonar Bhatt, Quepem
and his daughter, Streisan picked up the call, she
would soon realize that her world would never be the
same again. She would also realize that from now
onwards, she would require nerves of steel to comfort
her mother who was fast asleep, oblivious of the
tragedy that had befallen the family.

A few hours earlier, on the previous day, Sanny had
been at the Goa Day 2007 celebrations in Kuwait and
had sang, what would later turn out to be the last
Konknni solo of his life, before a captivating
audience. Sometime later, on his way back to his
residence, he would complain of chest pain and before
his brother, Vicky, staying with him in Kuwait, could
rush him to the hospital, Sanny had returned to the
Lord.

The news was shocking and Goanetters condoled the
untimely death of a true Goan who ‘promoted Konknni,
Konknni music and the tiatr’. A day after his death,
Goanet was full of tributes and condolence messages.

Frederick Noronha wrote, ‘I was very much taken up by
his determination to share all the Goa-related news
he came across. In these fading days of
community-spirited individuals, Sanny was a welcome
difference’.

‘He stirred our imagination by his postings’, said
Venantius Pinto.

In the good old days when possessing a motorbike was
considered a luxury, I remember seeing Sanny on his
‘Yezdi’, zipping through the narrow roads of our
village. Tall, thin, and bearded, he looked every inch
the creative and imaginative person that he really
was. Although we both hailed from Quepem, I knew him
only from a ‘distance’, until one day, just a few
months ago, ‘we met on the net’.

It was such a pleasure to open the ‘inbox’ everyday
and find, without fail, Sanny there with his
interesting posts. I never realized how greatly he had
touched the lives of Goans all over the globe until
his passing away. I suddenly felt the need to know
more about my fellow-villager who had made such a
‘difference’ in everyone’s life.

At the Mandovi Stores in Quepem, Sanny’s second album,
NRI (April, 2007) as well as his first, Saibinnicho
Tisro Segred (Nov, 2005) were not available. However,
Evangelisto D’Costa, the proprietor, was kind enough
to give me NRI from his private collection so that I
could copy and enjoy the songs. Silviano Barbosa, who
reviewed both the albums, said that they deserved to
be ‘in the top list of his collection of Konknni
albums’ and praised Sanny as ‘a great lyricist’ and
one who ‘uses beautiful Konknni idioms and proverbs
with his nigut bhas and modhur voice’.

It was this voice that enabled Sanny to set the stage
on fire. Gaspar Almeida, who penned his profile,
shares some interesting facts about the various stages
of Sanny’s life. He was Kala Academy’s ‘Best Singer
Award Winner’ for a record number of eight times and
had acted in tiatrs of Nelson (of
Nelson-Anthony-Conception fame), Caesar D’Mello and
others. For some time, he was also part of a dance
band called the Young Challengers.

Felix Pereira, a writer-director of yesteryears from
Quepem, fondly recollects the time when Sanny had
acted in Beddi in 1980, ‘In this tiatr, he played the
role of a villain and did an excellent job. But more
than that, I remember the encores that he and
Constancio D’Silva received for their duo on a child
who was abandoned at birth’.

His death, as was his life, was full of coincidences
and ‘drama’. Like the title of the last track in NRI,
his body arrived on a flight from Kuwait to Goa. He
was laid to rest on November 15, the day of his
wedding anniversary. Great singer that he was, Sanny
had sang, I’ll Be Loving You Eternally, holding his
young life-partner in his arms, during the wedding
special, twenty six years ago. And it was the same
song that was now played again, as per his wishes,
when the lid was placed on the coffin and his ‘last
journey’ began, from his house to the Holy Cross
Church in Quepem.

The church was full. Some, like me, probably
questioning the Lord why He had to ‘call’ Sanny to His
heavenly kingdom, so soon. And as if in answer, there
was Elvis Goes, another famous son of Quepem, singing,
Trust In Me, just before the Eucharistic celebration
was over.

That night, after the funeral, I sat before my
computer, words flowing like the gentle Kushawati
river and a tribute was soon ready, which I mailed to
Goanet:


Goodbye, Sanny
Goodbye

There is mail
In my mailbox
But without your posts
It looks empty
And sure we miss you
Aplenty

You did your bit
And more than that
And gave your very best
To everyone around
For to give is godly
And all that is not given
Is lost
Says an Indian proverb

The Bard of Avon once said
Life is a stage
And that is where you stood
On Goa Day
Singing your heart out
Before a captivating audience

But only the Lord knew
And none
How sudden
And ‘drama’tic
Your ‘exit’ would be

Goodbye, Sanny
Goodbye.

Photo credit: Dale Menezes
_________________________________________________


Tribute to Sanny de Quepem
Goa's Pride www.goa-world.com
Tue, 27 Nov 2007 07:34:00 -0800

Tribute to Sanny de Quepem


Cruz Sanny Vaz (well known as Sanny de Quepem amongst the tiatrists
fraternity and the tiatr lovers in Kuwait, Goa and worldwide) was called by the
Almighty God to His Heavenly Abode on 9th November 2007. With a smile on his
lips and eyes focused on God’s will, he was laid to rest at his native place in
Quepem. Attended by scores of his close friends, colleagues and manager from
Mustafa Karam Firm, tiatrists and tiatr lovers and his well-wishers with tears
in their eyes and a prayer, the requiem mass was offered by Kuwait-Goa
Tiatristanchi Sonvstha (KGTS).


Bab Sanny was one of the rarest jewels produced by the Konkani stage and
known among the tiatr lovers for his scintillating songs on social and moral
subjects. His specialty was in composing and singing songs in a unique way. His
songs served as a whip to all types of injustice in the society and for the
Goan causes. He mesmerized Goans as an actor, composer, singer, and writer.
Though in his fifties, he had the style and caliber to perform as an evergreen
singer with his youthful looks and his trademark shaved torso. His last song
will be much cherished on his theme of fostering unity among mankind. Always
eager to assist and help, the tiatrists fraternity will feel the void left in
his dealth. The death has snatched away a dear friend and an entertainer from
us.

A meeting was held at the Royale Terrace Restaurant, Salmiya on 17th November
2007 and KGTS members took this opportunity to offer prayers and poignant
tributes to this Konkani stage artiste and singer and conveyed heartfelt
condolences to his bereaved family. May his soul rest in peace.


Kuwait-Goa Tiatristanchi Sonsvtha (KGTS)
Kuwait

Xabas Kala Mogi !

Vachpi Boroitat

Xabas Kala Mogi!

Setembrache 12ver, 2007, Ponnjechea Kala Akademint “Odruxtti Jivit” ho Joao Cardoz-baban borovn digdorxit kelolo tiatr ami pollelo. Kala Mogi, Candolim ani kherit bhaxen Tomazinho Cardoz-babak amchim porbim ani xabaski!

Ho tiatr 50 vorsam fattim Saipem, Candolim hanga dakhoilolo hem sotmanunk khub avgodd lagta. Tiatrachi kotha, tantuntlo vinod ani machieveli manddavoll
monam dipkaita. Bhattkar ani munddkarachea jivita bhonvtonnim hi kotha ghunvta, torui ek dis oso udeta….tujea kallzak samko pill ghalta!

Dusre pavtti khuimsorui ho tiatr machier haddlear, konnench pollevnk chukovcho nhoi.
‘ Odruxtti Jivit” ho tiatr pollevn ghora pavtoch, SMS korun, hanvem Tomazinho Cardoz-babak porbim dilim. Aiz portun ek pavtt Kala Mogi, Candolim he sonvsthek mhojim porbim.

Walter Menezes,
Kepem.

www.v-ixtt.com