From the cradle of Konkani History_7
This is the seventh installment of our serialization of the biographical
sketches of those meritorious veterans, who have been deliberately or
otherwise denied a place in the book of History of Konkani in spite of
having made an honest contribution in the field of Konkani. We appeal to
our readers to point out any lacunae that might have crept in our account of
these veterans so that it could be corrected as well as invite the readers
to send any further inputs so as to update the information. We would also be
much obliged if any photographs of these revered personalities were handed
over to us which could be published along with the acknowledgement of the
person supplying the same. (F. C.)
In this installment let me briefly recount the contribution to Konkani
literature in Roman script of two Mumbai Goans, Oslando de Souza and the
late Manuel Alphonso. They are music wizards who also enriched the
repertoire of Konkani folk songs.
Oslando de Souza 21.09.1930 -
Hailing from the Ararim ward of Saligao in Bardez, Oslando de Souza has made
a considerable contribution to Konkani music. He has showcased the
traditional folk songs Mando and Dulpod as well as humorous songs which he
sang and recorded on cassettes and Compact Discs. They will forever remain
as evidence of his great work.
Oslando recorded his first presentation, 'Poilo Pavs' on HMV in 1971. The
Mando 'Poilo Pavs' was his original composition which became very popular.
Then in 1975 he presented his second work again on HMV. This bore the title
"New Konkani Hits" and included numbers which he had himself composed and
set to music.
Then came the era of audio cassettes. Between 1978 and 1991, he produced
four cassettes of Mando-Dulpod, folk songs and traditional Konkani songs:
'Soul of Goa' (1978), 'Goa Meu amor' (1981), 'Boas Festas' (1984) and
'Nostalgia' (1991). "Boas Festas" contains the traditional Goan 'Alvorada'.
All these cassettes are now presented in the CD format as well. The
specialty of all these songs is that Oslando has taken immense pains to
present them in their traditional style.
Apart from recording, Oslando presented several programmes of Konkani folk
songs on All India Radio, Mumbai. Together with his orchestra 'Oslando & His
Folklorists' he participated in such programmes as "All-India Folk Music
Radio Festival" and "All-Asia Folk Music Radio Festival". His group has
also presented several programmes of folk songs and folk dances on Mumbai
Doordarshan. Oslando's most memorable TV show was the special presentation
of "the Pick of the Week", a programme beamed by Doordarshan on 22nd
December, 1986 exhibiting the artistic revival of the social graces and
charm of the famous Goan Mando dance - performed with period costumes
exactly as it was once danced by the Goan landed aristocracy some 100 years
ago!
Oslando, with his orchesrtra, has presented some live programmes on the
Mumbai stage and contributed to Western music as a choral singer and as a
conductor. He is best known for his unrivalled male-voice singing quartet
'The Minstrels'- which he led with distinction for over three decades! As
an English pop singer, he has presented the music cassettes, 'Family Fiesta'
and 'Christmas Fever'.
Recently, Oslando has brought out a 336 page Music book in English, 'The
Christian Goan Konkani Folk & Art Songs (A New Perspective)'. This book is
divided into three parts: Comprehensive information about the Music of Goan
Catholics, several Mando and Dulpods together with their music scores and
some 16 songs and hymns composed by himself together with their music
scores.
Manuel Alphonso: 1904 - 1995
Manuel Alphonso alias M. Alphonso hailed from Seraulim, Salcete. He was
born at his maternal house in Chandor in 1904. His initial schooling was at
Seraulim parish school where he also learnt the solfejo and violin.
In 1919 he proceeded to Madras (now Chennai) where he began to play for
movies. That was the age of silent movies. The movies were accompanied by
musical scores which were to be played by musicians during the shows. The
music was very difficult to play as it required the musician to be fully
conversant and adept with the staff notation. Manuel, having the necessary
acumen, became an expert in playing such music. Later he shifted to Mumbai
and was playing for silent movies at the Capitol Cinema. After which he
played for the "Bombay Symphony Orchestra". But he lost this job when he
had to go to Goa for some urgent work. Upon his return to Mumbai, he served
as the Choir Master of Holy Cross Church, Kurla.
By this time there was a boom in the Film Industry in Mumbai. Consequently,
he entered the Hindi Film Music circle. He contributed music arrangements
to some Hindi movies, although his name did not appear on the screen.
He was the Music Director of the Konkani Films "Sukhachem Sopon" and
"Kortubancho Sounsar". The music of the songs Jurament tuka ditam
nokhetrancher, patieon tum rav hea mhojea utrancher. as well as Sakrament
zoddlo, ekvott aiz ghoddlo., from "Sukhachem Sopon" being mellifluous, it is
being played by young musicians or beat groups at Goan wedding receptions.
The Mando "Calangute-che Prayeru .." especially composed by Manuel Alphonso
became very popular. He has written several songs and set them to music.
Manuel has also brought out his songs on HMV records. He presented some of
his Mando and songs together with his group "Choral Gems" in the Music
cassette, "La Goa". Besides these he has produced three other audio
cassettes one of which contains "Misachim Gayonam" or Hymns sung during the
Holy Mass.
His group, "The Rhythm Boys" was quite renowned and used to play regularly
in major hotels of Mumbai like the Taj, Ritz, Bristoll Grill etc. as well
as for Konkani tiatrs.
