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Uncle Frank -- A tribute to Frank Simoes By Stuart D'Rozario For those who may not know Frank Simoes, he was a writer and advertising man in India. In his lifetime, he published hundreds of articles, wrote two books, and created some of the most enduring advertising. He was enterprising enough to set up one of the first independent advertising agencies in India, and was smart enough to get out of the business at a relatively young age to focus on his writing. He was a Goan who grew up in Bombay, but whose heart was always in Goa. Frank was my mother's brother. Growing up I always thought of him as the famous uncle. But later in life, I saw him for what he was: a great writer. Tormented, like most great writers. I didn't realize it is possible to really get to know someone only after they have passed away. With Frank, that's exactly what happened. Perhaps it's because I spent six months helping edit a book of all his writings, but more likely it's because once someone is gone it becomes easier to see, in broad strokes, what he was about and what he stood for. Time -- instead of blurring things -- can sometimes make things clearer. When I think of Frank today, oddly enough, I don't think of him as a legendary advertising man -- even though I know he was that. I think of him as someone who loved family, friends, writing, food and drink. I think of him as someone who found all of that in abundance in a place he loved more than any other: Goa. I think of him as someone who loved to write; and even though I know he wrote beautifully and passionately about everything from politics to business, I think he was at his best when writing about Goa. I remember Frank telling me about his book on Goa, as he was writing it. He said it was along the lines of 'A Year In Provence'. I do think that was an apt comparison, not just because it's a loose collection of humorous anecdotes about an idyllic place, but because in both cases, the authors have on-going love affairs with their respective places. (Coincidentally, Peter Mayle was one of the most famous advertising creative people in London before he chucked it up to move to Provence.) Frank Simoes' Goa was first published four years ago as 'Glad Season in Goa' and was on the bestseller list in India. I'm delighted that it is being re-released. I'm sure Frank would have loved the new name. If he was alive today, perhaps the name might have seemed presumptuous. But since he isn't, I think he has the permission to claim Goa as his own. I think he always did, secretly. But honestly, deep down, even a million miles from home, don't we all. If you buy one book about India this year, I'd suggest Frank Simoes' Goa. But that might be because I biased. I love Frank's writing, and I love Goa. -- Stuart D'Rozario is a Creative Director at Fallon Worldwide in Minneapolis. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- GOANET-READER WELCOMES contributions from its readers, by way of essays, reviews, features and think-pieces. We share quality Goa-related writing among the 7000-strong readership of the Goanet/Goanet-news network of mailing lists. If you appreciated the thoughts expressed above, please send in your feedback to the writer. Our writers write -- or share what they have written -- pro bono, and deserve hearing back from those who appreciate their work. GoanetReader is edited by Frederick Noronha [EMAIL PROTECTED] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Goanet, 1994-2004, building community for a decade. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------