MEETING... AND ADDING A FACE TO THE NAME (AND THE EMAILS) NOW, I SEE IT AS another lost cause. I just don't try to convince people that I don't call myself "Fred" (my one-time email ID). So, when I heard someone call out "Freddy", I didn't protest.
Turned out that Menin Rodrigues was there on time... all the way from Karachi. It was almost three... and I was almost late. We got talking -- not that I know much about Karachi -- and in no time, the Caldeira brothers showed up. So I put them in touch, interrupted only a little, and got down to checking out the place. Menin's card said: http://www.goansofpakistan.org and among other designations, it listed his role as founder-member, Board of Governors, St Patrick's College of Karachi and ditto for St Joseph's College, Karachi. He's president and CEO of SHAMROCK Communications (Pvt) Ltd, chairman of SHAMROCK conferences international, and honorary secretary of The Old Patricians (TOPS) Alumni. I didn't understand the last, but impressed I was. Hear Menin on the Karachi Goans: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWPFJAuUF2U In a little while, Goa Director of Education and historian Dr Celsa Pinto showed up. So did the Sequeira Sisters (Lizanne Sequeira da Cunha and Ingrid Mascarenhas), who seemed relieved to find the few others at the ex-Karachi Goans meet. From what one overheard, they were sharing notes on the Goan settlements there, how these had changed, how the Cincinnatus Town had been renamed Garden East, and much more. By the end of it all, I heard them discuss the possibilities of making another visit to the place they called home, how easy or tough it was to get visas, and how a flight from Bombay to Karachi was just 75 minutes. But even as Goanetters started to trickle in for the 4 pm meet, we heard Caetano Filipe Colaco call out for assistance. His 96-year-old father-in-law, the legendary band-leader of the yesteryears, Micky Correa, had actually made it for the ex-Karachi Goans meet! This is what another website [http://bluerhythm.wordpress.com/] wrote in October 2009: While in Bombay, thanks to Christine Correa, we were able to spend a morning with Micky Correa. As the resident band leader at the Taj Hotel for 21 years, from the 1940s through the 1960s, he is a living repository of the era of Big Bands in Bombay. Micky memories include sessions with the diaspora of American jazz men who were featured at the Taj. Micky is among the last of band leaders from that era and has the distinction of being the first Indian band-leader at the Taj. Men and women mentored and groomed in Mickey's swing and lounge bands went on to lead bands of their own and/or earn handsome livings in Bollywood, including Chic Chocolate, Johnny Baptiste, Lucille Pacheco and others. Micky Correa turned 96 last week... would you believe it! And although he has not been able to play his baritone sax in many years, he can still pound out a tune on his piano.... Check out his photo here: The Sequeira Sisters -- Lizanne Sequeira da Cunha and Ingrid Mascarenhas (one a former Miss Goa of 1979) -- pose with the oldest ex-Karachi Goan at the meet, 96-year-old former music genius of the yesteryears, Micky Correa, who came specially for the ex-Karachi Goans meet. Photo copylefted by FN. http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/4222614152/ By this time, Rui Lobo was present, and offered some of his classic renditions of old Konkani songs on the guitar. Hear him effortlessly plucking his strings here (caution, not all Konkani, so no controversy please!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apXLIufU7Jo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym5S5XzGIeA This was followed by a leisurely round of introductions. Among those present were (in order of the attendance sheet): Karachi Goan Menin Rodrigues, Goa Sudharop's George Pinto, pioneer musician of the yesteryears Micky Correa, Lizanne Sequeira da Cunha and Ingrid Mascarenhas, historian and education-director (Goa) Dr Celsa Pinto, Bonnie Fernandes of Siolim, former Speaker Tomazinho Cardozo, young management student of Ahmedabad Jason Monserrate (also of Goanet-Sports), ex-Loyola's Stanley Marchon and Joshua Marchon, GoaWeb founder Marlon Menezes, guitarist Vernon De Sa, guitar teacher Rui Lobo, engineer Caetano Filipe Colaco, Domnic P.F. Fernandes ('Domnic's Goa') of Anjuna, Vivian D. D'Souza of Socorro, Joe and Jackie Castelino of Gothenburg/Nerul, Basilio Monteiro of Merces, Lily and ex-RAFer Gabe Menezes of London, author-painter-academic Dr Savia Viegas of Carmona, and journalist Ashley D'Mello of Mumbai (Times of India). Also present were campaigner Roland Martins of Mapusa, prominent designer Wendell Rodricks of Colvale, humour writer Cecil Pinto, Margao-based engineer-turned-print-on-demand publisher Leonard and Quennie fernandes of dogearsetc.com, educationist Tony de Sa, Goa Konkani Akademi vice president Vincy Quadros, and Capt Norbert Rebello, author of 'Memories of Another Day'. There must have been a few others, because some of those noticed were not on the list. An interesting discussion ensued on the possibility of taking the Konkani tiatr to Karachi (expats there say there could be as many as 20,000 Goans in that country). Authors brought in their books for sale, and those present picked up quite a few. Everyone present got to know one another, and after the meet, informal discussions continued for awhile at the venue. Surprise participants included Marlon Menezes and George J Pinto, was nice to have them at the meet too. See some more photos: http://photosfromgoa.notlong.com General pics http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/4221968429/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/4222727954/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/4221903389/ >From left, back row Rui's student Vernon De Sa plays the guitar, Rui Lobo, Mrs Rebello, Capt Norbert Rebello (orange shirt), Norbert's nephew, Yvonne Vaz Ezdani. http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/4222594894/ The Caldeira Brothers (at left, one partly visible), Goa education director-historian Dr Celsa Pinto... and St Patrick's and St Joseph's (Karachi) Board of Governors members Menin Pereira share memories of the Karachi they knew. http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/4222587706/ Karachi Goanetter Menin Rodrigues makes a point. http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/4222639654/ Cartoonist Alexyz (yellow shirt) arranges books for sale by Goanetters, while assistant Riza (blue) looks on. http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/4221843713/ Tomazinhobab Cardozo, at right, dramatist, writer and former Speaker of the Goa Assembly. A Goanetter too. http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/4221905073/ Micky Correa (long sleeves) and Goa Sudharop's George J. Pinto. http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/4221901197/ Riza volunteers to display a book, while the speakers introduce their work. Goanetters picked up quite a few author-signed copies of their work. http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/4221899275/ The Sequeira sisters, Lizanne Sequeira da Cunha and Ingrid (nee Sequeira) Mascarenhas. http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/4221903389/ Noted designer Wendell Rodricks http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/4221933371/ Goanetters meet 2009 by you. Stanley Marchon, ex-Loyola's in long sleeves, and Joshua Marchon (right). http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/4222669862/ Domnic "Domnic's Goa" Fernandes of Anjuna, ex-Saudi. http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/4221994175/ Micky Correa interview (rough cut) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JrkO3VTVXE ENDS -- Frederick Noronha :: 784 Saligao 403511 Goa India Landline :: +91-832-2409490 Mobile :: +91-9822122436
