Music
plays an important role in any Goan family get-together and the songs that have
the most draw when it comes to Konkani music are the ones from the 1960s to
1990s. This choice has nothing to do with the quality of new songs; it’s just that
the evergreen songs from yesteryears have an appeal of their own. Also, the
people of that time, even the kids who are adults today, spent a lot of time
with that music thanks to the radio. A popular name amongst the stalwarts of
Konkani music is late Alfred Rose, whose songs are still favourites at present
day Konkani singing competitions in Goa.
Alfred
Rose from Carona, Aldona, known as he Melody King of Goa, was an icon of the Konkani stage. Each of his
songs told a different story and were easy to sing along to. Be it the joy of a
young boy completing his BA singing ‘Sukh Ailem’, a tribute to Mother Teresa or
a romantic duet ‘Bizlecho Pavor’, there was a song for every occasion.
Fr Joaquim
Fernandes has grown up listening to songs by Alfred Rose. “In my childhood, I
used to listen to the Konkani programme ‘Manazogtim Gitam’, on the radio. In
those days, the radio was the only form of entertainment and his songs were
very popular. His lyrics were were easy to relate to and the emotions,
heartfelt,” says Fr Joaquim, who has released the book, ‘Gitanjali’, which
consists of over 200 songs written by Alfred Rose from the 1970s to 1990s.
Fr
Joaquim’s mother also loved Alfred Rose’s songs and she had two volumes of
‘Kantarancho Jhello’ that contained songs written by Alfred Rose. “He used to
release these books with the lyrics almost every two to three years, based on
the number of songs he had written. I found these books in my mother’s
possession, which gave me the idea of compiling more songs. I was posted in the
village of Carona, where he was born, and I had the opportunity to meet his
wife, Rita Rose, when she visited Goa. I took her permission to write the
book,” he states. Though he was based in Bombay for many years, Alfred’s songs
were true to his Goan roots, with songs like ‘Kalchi Koddi’, ‘Ghoddxem’ and
‘Dona Paula’.
Besides ‘Gitanjali’, Fr Joaquim has released three
books, ‘Heartricks’
– a compilation of 50
poems written during his seminary days, ‘Capsules of Wisdom’ with anecdotes and
short stories and ‘Porvozanchem Songitachem Daiz’, comprising tradition and folk songs of Goa. “I wanted the songs of Alfred Rose
to reach out to the younger generation. His songs are still available on CDs all across Goa and with the help of this book, they will be able to learn and sing these songs,” says Fr
Joaquim, who is currently posted at Our Lady of Candelaria Chapel, Porvorim.
The book is
available at shops like Pedro Fernandes & Co. and Pauline Book & Media
Centre in Panjim, St Joseph shop, near St Jerome Church, Mapusa and Liturgical
Centre, Mapusa and Lighthouse in Margao and Vasco. Fr Joaquim is working on a
music CD based on the liturgical theme of the year, ‘Love of Jesus urges us on’, with new
compositions and Goan musicians and singers.
