GULF-GOANS e-NEWSLETTER (since 1994)
RE: Those Few Years, With My Master - By Keith Jack Antao I'm also one of the opportune ones to have received the guidance in singing from Mestri and I would definitely feel guilty if I do not acknowledge the same. Just like Keith, I too was pulled in to join the choir at a young age (fifth grade student) if I may recall. And one of the victims of the bow hit. Well I had no grudge against these incidents and realized later what it feels to hear some one sing off notes to the fine tuned ears. Another incident I recall is the day Caroline expired. I never saw Mestri so distressed. He spent the whole evening telling us about the way he appreciated Caroline - the way she sang and much more admired her as a person. And if someone could control his out burst at a choir session, it would be this girl. She could work wonders on him. He took good care of his singing group and always made sure refreshments were made available after a wedding or any occasion in church. When asked what should be brought, he stressed on ...pates (patties), croquette ani kitem pivonk dhi bhurgeank ..thondd naka ...thalea borem ni. (some patties, coquettes and some thing to drink..not chilled .it effects their voices.) During Easter, he trained us to sing the "Moteteo" which are rarely heard during recent years. And a few fortunate ones, girls and boys got trained to sing the "Veronica" song which did require a lot of skill. He seldom compromised to sing it on a lower note and made sure there was justice done to the original music arrangement. After every festival Mestri wished all of us with a firm hand shake and of course a "BOA FEST" and "BOA NATAL" greeting as appropriate. I could still see the military spirit deep down. Quite often we got to hear about a few military operations during our practice sessions. When he passed by on his cycle in front of the church he would make it a point to get off his bike, take off his cap and bow at the main entrance. He said it was her (Our lady of Lourdes ) who kept him going. (tich maka adhar dita) Many were amused and appreciated the way Mestri played the violin. For a few who laughed on some shortfalls had a short lived happiness but a few of us Uttordkars and many Goans who spent some time with Mestri ......hear and watch him play or get trained by him, will cherish those moments always. Mestri always considered music a gift from God and he did his best to serve his Master till he could. He believed "Our lady of Lourdes " gave him the courage Mog Assum Zarina Carvalho e Azaredo Utorda - Abu Dhabi Zarina Azaredo [email protected]
