As young Asawari Nayak launches the latest
book of her late mother, Madhavi Sardesai, titled, ‘Tanche Vishi…Mhaje
Vishi’, today, she pledges to carry on her legacy. A renowned scholar, writer
and linguist, Madhavi had promoted and encouraged the growth of Konkani
language in many ways. Although ‘Tanche Vishi…Mhaje Vishi’ is a memoir,
Madhavi’s earlier books have brought to light her commitment to the Konkani
movement.
“My mother started compiling this book when
she was ailing in Mumbai and completed it when she came to Goa. We have also
included some of her unpublished poems in this book. Her first book,
‘Bhasabhas’, was written as an introduction to linguistics in Konkani. The
second book, ‘Manthan’, is an anthology of critical researched essays on varied
topics. Apart from this, she has translated two books – ‘Le Petit Prince’ from
French to Konkani and ‘Eka Vicharachi Jivit Katha’ from Konkani to Hindi. My
mother was a perfectionist when she brought out her books and was well
respected for this,” explains 23-year-old Asawari, a post-graduate in clinical
psychology, who is adamant to continue her mother’s legacy. “For this reason,
Jaag Prakashan plans on publishing many more of her books in the future. She
has kept the matter ready for several articles like those on Shenoi Goembab and
a thesis on social linguistics. I will also carry forward the legacy of ‘Jaag’
monthly magazine as editor. I am still in my learning phase and I hope that I
reach her level of competence someday. She was and will continue to be my
inspiration and source of strength,” avers Asawari.
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Asawari belongs to the privileged league of
legacy keepers of the rich legacy their parents have left behind. Not only are
they carrying the torch forward, but in the process, forging their own path as
well.
If it is perhaps thought that an era has
ended with the passing of renowned violinist and mandolin-player Emiliano da
Cruz, his legacy is nevertheless being kept alive by his youngest son, Zubin da
Cruz. “I have continued dad’s group, Emiliano and his Trio, with the same
players and I perform with them. We continue to play dad’s favourite numbers,
as well as his compositions in Portuguese and Konkani,” says Zubin who not only
emulates his father on the mandolin and violin, but does a considerable amount
of vocals as well. “When dad was alive, I played a few gigs with him. He was a
perfectionist.” It’s a trait that Zubin has applied to his other commercial
band, True Blue, and in his own compositions. “The downside of being a famous
person’s son is that people expect the same from you as well. I hope I have
fulfilled that expectation,” says Zubin.
This earnest hope has been expressed by
another well-known progeny, Sidhanath Buyao, son of the illustrious singer,
lyricist, composer, poet, theatre artist, script writer, industrialist and
activist Ulhas Buyao. “I started singing and accompanying my father on the
keyboards as a child. He would compose and I would play. Today, this is the
wellspring of my own compositions and 17 albums which contain political,
patriotic and romantic songs. In my latest album, ‘Konkani Unplugged’, I have
included two of my father’s most famous songs including ‘Chan’neache Rati’,”
reveals Sidhanath who in the past has enlisted several singers to record his
father’s music. His previous album (2013), which comprised numbers based on the
Ramayana, contains songs written by Dr Manohar Rai Sardesai prior to the
Opinion Poll and music composed by his father. An activist in his own right,
Sidhanath is carrying on his father’s legacy fighting for Goa. His efforts as
the president of the ‘Save Goa Front’ and now his latest musical activism ‘Save
Terekhol, Save Goa’ are points in case.
Sidhanath is equally proud of the fact that
today his own 15-year old son Rutvik, a drummer and singer, is carrying on the
musical legacy.
The legacy keepers are indeed continuing to
keep the torch burning, one generation to the next.
