She was Mario’s muse, his advisor. She came from an arts background. She had a wonderful sense of colours. She came from an arts background. Habiba used to advise him on how to use colours. I interacted with her a great deal for the Mario Miranda gallery. It is a great loss for me. They were a great couple together. He called her Charlie for some reason. They travelled together always. He went first and now she is gone. It will be the end of an era.
– Gerard d Cunha,
published 11 books of Mario Miranda
My link with her and Maria was though my father Vasant Joshi. They were very close. He would invite them for lunch or dinner on numerous occasions. They would have conversations about art and friends in that world. They used to discuss Prafula Dhanukar who was an artist. Once they were present along with Lucio Miranda who designed our family house. They spend the afternoon chatting. My dad was great friends with them. That was my connection with Habiba and Mario.
– Prashant Joshi, Businessman
She was a lovely personality. Very helpful and Mario’s house was always open. She had a streak if art in her. The way she managed the house, you had to have a bit of the artist in you. I am shocked, Mario was my cousin, so this is tough for me.
– Zito Pinto,
Retired travel professional
Sad but she is in a better place. I am sure with Mario. I could never think of them as apart. They were always together. When he went, she was around but it was obvious she missed him. Wherever he went she was there with him. She will be missed in more ways than one.
– Yolanda de souza, Artist
I knew Habiba through Mario. They were very helpful couple and she was very straight person. And yes she loved the Fado. When the Spanish government conferred that country’s highest civilian award on him at his residence she instructed us to play jazz, swing but it would very important to play one fado composition. That’s my recollection.
– Orlando Noronha,
Musician
Mario was very close to my husband. He was a true Goan at heart, a very simple man who loved to come to Nostalgia. Habiba was always there. I went over to the house to meet her and to check how she was. She was weak but she had her wits. Her favourite was pomfret caldeen, vegetable caldeen and sana. I was shocked when I learned she had passed away. She was a fantastic lady , she had class about her. Mario was a promoter of all things Goan. He ensured we made it to the Beijing International Folkflore festival. We were all part of the group called Gavana. She had a beautiful death, she died in her sleep. It is the end of an era
– Margarida Tavora e Costa, Restauranteur Raia
