When it comes to songs, if you are a good lyricist and singer, then undoubtedly, it is a bonus point for you and you can bloom like a beautiful rose in the garden.
Neves Aristedes Oliveira, popularly known as Neves Oliveira on the Konkani stage, was born on August 4, 1963 in Ilha de Rachol, Raia. He completed his primary education at Gloria Chapel, followed by secondary studies at Our Lady of Snows High School, Raia.
Neves pursued his studies further at Chowgule College, Margao and selected Arts stream as per his taste and capabilities. At the tender age of 15, he composed his first Konkani song, ‘Marekar Aksident’.
When in class 3 and 4, Neves found many opportunities to do reading in Konkani and it was more prominent on stage on ‘Teacher’s Day’. Little did he realize then that that simple exercise in school would later help him to build confidence and it would help him to groom as a lyricist and composer of songs.
Neves’ maternal uncle, late Caetan Francis Vaz, was very much involved in ‘zomnivhele fell’ during the Carnival festival and would direct them during that festive period. Probably, he might have acquired something from him, as far as taste for composition of songs; penning, directing tiatrs were concerned.
In 1977, when Neves was doing his matriculation, he was also part of the Legion of Mary and Catechetical Associations in the parish. Festive occasions helped him to pen and direct tiatrs with the help of Catechism children.
Neves’ first tiatr ‘Kalliz Kuslolo’ was staged in 1977. “During that period only one tiatr would be staged on May 1 and with the help of children coming for catechism classes, it was feasible to teach and stage them,” he shares.
Being an excellent footballer, Neves would regularly play for Chowgule College. “Each college would organize a football tournament annually and it was exciting all along the
way,” he reveals.
One fine day, when playing for the Chowgule at MES college campus, Neves was picked up by Dominic, coach of the Vasco Sports Club. “Unlike today, at that point of time, local clubs in Goa were very active and competition was at its peak,” he mentions.
Neves played for the Vasco Sports Club for two seasons (1982-83). While pursuing his second year studies in Arts stream, he received a lucrative offer in the Indian Customs, Mumbai. And in 1984, Neves paved his way to the metropolitan city.
“Service and playing for the Vasco Sports Club was purely on contract basis,” Neves shares. “My coach encouraged me to pick up the government job in Mumbai as it would help me make my living,” he says.
Oral as well as written interview followed in Mumbai and after passing both the interviews successfully, Neves joined the Indian Customs, Mumbai, under the sports quota. Elaborating about recruitment under the sports quota,
he explained that only if you have a national or university certificate, you get an entry there.
As he donned colours to Goa state in the
Junior National Football, his entry was quick and achievable.
From 1984 till date Neves has been serving as the Superintendent of Customs (gazette officer of India.) During his service in Mumbai, he joined the Legion of Mary group in Dobitalao and for the feast of Mother Mary (September 8), he composed and rendered a song, which was appreciated by late Fr Gill Gonsalves, the
then parish priest of Our Lady of Dolorosa Church, Dobitalao.
Fr Gonsalves later encouraged Neves to release an audio album ‘Medal Milagrosa’ in 1988. All the songs and tunes were composed and worked upon by Neves with music by late mestro Mariano and singers from the Legion of Mary group and produced by the Venus Records and Tapes.
The album ‘Medal Milagrosa’ was an instant hit and Neves came into the limelight. He was introduced in tiatr ‘No Time’ by Prem Kumar and he had the opportunity to render a song ‘Goychim Ghoram’. He also had the chance to meet stalwarts of the Konkani stage Joe Rose and several other Mumbai tiatrists.
Rest of Neves’ cassettes were released by ‘Sinaris’ and ‘Music House’, Mapusa assisted him with the production of audio CDs. During his stay in Mumbai, there would be a variety of programmes being organized by Fausto V da Costa and he was always part of them.
An ardent fan of melody king, Alfred Rose, Neves has always drawn inspiration from him and has composed over 500 songs in the form of solos, duets, trios and quartets. His songs are pop, comedy, folk and sentimental.
When penning a song, Neves is very particular about the lyrics and will cross check several times and rectify till he is fully satisfied. He won’t mind if it’s only one song a month, but he will take utmost care in delivering what’s best to the listeners and his fans. Through his lyrics and rendition he aims to bring in a change in the society and every
song will always carry a powerful message
to the listener.
From 2020 onwards Neves started uploading his songs on the social media via YouTube channel and during the pandemic his song ‘Bible Coronachem Okhod’ received an overwhelming response. Till date he has uploaded around 14 songs with meaningful lyrics and thought-provoking messages.
Apart from composing songs based on family and social issues, releasing audio cassettes, CDs, Neves has also worked upon and organized musical shows with Lorna and Wonder Girls in Mumbai. His first show was in 2011 ‘Bhangarachem Goy’, followed by ‘Goykar’ (2012), with his own compositions and music by Norman Cardozo.
In Neves’ opinion, youngsters should come forward and render songs on stage, which helps preserve Konkani for posterity in a
big way. He is willing to share his songs with the youth and says that he has spent
much on ‘maim bhas’, but never earned anything on songs.
As Neves would be retiring from his duty as customs officer shortly, he plans to have more musical shows and video songs on the ‘YouTube’ channel. “If you can do good, do good to others,” he signs off, “but never hurt anyone in life.”