Pandu Lampiao is sadly mistaken to say that Keith Vaz
was the star attraction of the Goan convention in
1988. Keith was not even there.
There was just one politician -- Herculano Dourado. If
one can call them "stars", the noted persons were
Prof. George Mark Moraes, who delivered the keynote
address, Prof. Jose Pereira, Prof. Olivinho Gomes,
Prof. Peter Nazareth, Prof. NK Wagle, among others.
Knowing Konkani is not the all-defining criteria for
being a Goan. It is one of the many. Many eminent
Goans, especially those who lived outside Goa and even
with less contact with Goans when living in Mumbai,
speak little or no Konkani. I could mention a couple
of names, but it is not important.
In Goa today Konkani has taken a back seat in many
Goan homes. It is English, English and English. It is
a sad reality, and I wish it was not the case.
Goan identity cannot be defined in mere terms. It is a
lived experience, whether one lived or lives in Goa or
elsewhere.
At one time Goan identity was defined as Goan having
"munisponn." Is there a literal translation for the
word. In general, it seems Goans were humune. That, by
extension, meant Goans were humble, helpful and
generous, both in kind and to a fault. Would such a
definition of a true Goan hold water today?
Just the other day I converted The Legends cassette to
WAV format for use with portable media player. Two
songs on Goa, beautifully composed with lyrics and
music by the late Chris Perry, brought memories of the
1988 convention.
The music of both Chris and Braz Gonsalves who, by the
way, can be said to be the "musical stars" of the
convention, make great listerning. I particularly like
Braz's composition I Love Jesus and Mary. I hear in
many times and in my mind's eye I can see him play at
the Roy Thompson Hall on the great day.
Maybe, the Goan convention can reissue the cassette as
a CD. I believe Joe D'Souza holds the copyright,
though technically it should have belonged to the Goan
Overseas Association who paid for the stars to come to
Toronto.
The two tribute songs to Goa strick the chords of a
Goan heart. There are similar songs but for me these
songs bring out nostalgic memories of 1988. I have
these songs on my moble and in quiet moments I play
them. They transport me to the mad, mad days of 1988
when for two weeks Goans from many places across the
world converged in Toronto for the convention.
Eugene
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