Chris
Perry, the name itself is enough to bring to mind all his melodious songs. After putting Konkani
music on the map, it is now his name that finds its way onto a map, literally!
A three kilometre stretch in Margao has been named after the legend and
everyone feels that this was long overdue for the man behind hits like ‘Sorg
tujea dolleanim’, ‘Red Rose’, ‘Calangute’, Nachomia Kumpasar’ and ‘Lisboa’. A
noted musician, composer, songwriter and film producer, Chris Perry was a proud
son of Margao.
Braz Gonsalves, a Jazz legend himself, is presently part of the
musical celebration taking place at the Goa Heritage Festival. He also
performed in Bombay when Chris Perry was known for his prowess on the
saxophone. They even worked together on a musical album, ‘Legends’, which was
recorded in Canada in 1988. “There is no composer yet who wrote so many songs.
He could teach anybody Konkani with his songs. When we were recording the album
in Canada, an Anglo Indian girl, Jane Mac, was singing his song ‘Beautiful
Goa’. She couldn’t speak a word in Konkani but she sang the song with polished
Konkani. No musician can touch his music till today,” says Braz.
Bardroy Barretto revived the love for Konkani music and songs when
his directorial hit, ‘Nachom-ia Kumpasar’, not only made it to the screens
across the globe but into the hearts of every Goan. The film was based on the
lives of Chris Perry and Lorna. “Chris Perry deserved it much earlier and this
honour was long overdue. His contribution has been immense. The movie brought
both Chris Perry and Lorna back into prominence. Through the film, we
celebrated their songs more than their lives,” says Bardroy.
After working so closely with the musicians of Goa, Bardroy feels
they should be given recognition before they are completely forgotten. “If
there is no hall of fame, there should at least be a wall of fame for the
musicians of Goa. Recently, there was an exhibition of portraits of tiarists of
Goa. There should be something similar for the musicians as there are so many
of them, some in focus but many forgotten.”
Joaquim Monteiro was a dear friend of Emiliano D’Cruz, another
legend of Goa. He believes that Chris Perry was a legendary composer for
Konkani music and his talent cannot be surpassed. Even till date, whenever
there is a single Konkani function, his music will be played. It will have at
least one song composed by Chris Perry. He was a star and it is a pride that
Chris Perry is having a street named after him in Margao. The street is right
next to his house and he deserves the honour. The function is even more
exciting because musicians like Louis Banks, Braz Gonsalves and Yvonne
Gonsalves are performing in Margao. We used to attend their concerts during the
Carnivals earlier,” says Joaquim.
When Café had interviewed Lorna in 2015, she was glad to remember
her first meeting with Chris Perry in the 1970s. She had said, “I was singing
with Raymond Albuberque’s quarter before singing for Chris Perry. Earlier,
Molly was in the Chris Perry band. I still remember the first song I sang for
him was ‘Siboney’ by Caterina Valente. He was so happy that he said that a star
is born in Saligao. From then on, I was with the band for nine years performing
throughout India. I used to sing all Jazz numbers and I didn’t like singing in
Konkani because of the accent but he was adamant about me singing. The first
two songs I sang in Konkani were ‘Noxibak Rodta’ and ‘Nachom-ia Kumpasar’. He
was a genius but I had the freedom in singing and the only thing he asked me to
do was the gruff voice for songs like ‘Bebdo’.”