An ear and heart for music

Antonio Edwin D'Costa, popularly known as Edwin D'Costa in the field of music and songs, hails from the village of Nuvem. It was at the young age of 14 that Edwin started writing poetry; his first poem, 'Varem',was published in the Konkani weekly, 'Goenchim Kirnam', then edited by late Fr Planton Faria.

Soon after, with the encouragement from the then assistant parish priest of Nuvem church, Fr Santan Carvalho, Edwin published his first book of poems, titled, 'Vattsur'. 

As a youth, Edwin was actively involved in the Legion of Mary association. One year, the village youth were planning a tiatr on the occasion of the feast of Legion of Mary. Edwin was eager to render a song in the tiatr so he approached the church curate. Fr Carvalho introduced him on stage and without any practice sessions with the band, he rendered a solo, 'Nuvemcho Ganv', which was highly appreciated by priests, nuns and the villagers.

Highly motivated by Fr Carvalho, Edwin penned and staged a one-act play, 'Upeogi', for the competition held in the villageduring Christmas. The play was based on a child who was differently abled. "One-act plays were quite popular in villages during the Christmas festivities," he mentions, adding, The other competitors for the contest included Effie de Nuvem and Frank de Nuvem (both artistes of director A M Pacheco) and J M Dod de Nuvem. My cast comprised mostly the youth involved in the Legion of Mary."

"After the performance," Edwin reveals, "the results were being declared with the announcement of third and second prize winners. As our troupe did not feature in the second and third slots, we started to leave, heading towards our houses. We were out of the venue when they declared the first prize. When we heard them call out our troupe name, we were so surprised! Our joys knew no bounds.

"Thereafter, the same one-act play was presented in villages like Benaulim and Canacona where one-act plays of noted artistes like Antush and Carmin also featured, but 'Upeogi' swept the first prize at both places. It was staged in 14 different villages during the Christmas season and it won the first prize at 10 venues, and second prize at four."

Rocky Gomes, a noted drummer who is presently serving in Oman, was instrumental in getting Edwin onto the professional stage. He introduced him to musician Josinho and later C Alvares roped him in for his tiatr 'Mosteponn', where he rendered a solo, 'Goenchi Udorgot'. 

"In my youth I was carefree and sometimes got through performances without a proper practice session, but today, I never step on stage without rehearsals,” he reveals.

"After rendering a solo in C Alvares's tiatr," Edwin notes, "Prem Kumar and comedian Succorine dropped in backstage to compliment me. I also received great support from noted tiatrists Jessie Dias, late S Lemos, Alfred Rose, Ophelia and director C Alvares, who inquired about the composition and encouraged me to go ahead.

In 1980, Edwin released his first cassette, 'Goencho Avaz', at the hands of noted director Roseferns, in his hit tiatr 'Thapott' at Gomant Vidya Niketan, Margao. At the age of 15, he proceeded to Mumbai in order to pursue his studies in Electronics. There he met Peter V Fernandes, who appreciated his first cassette and introduced him in his group as a member of United Quality Productions. He shot to fame with renditions in Peter V Fernandes's cassettes.

During his stay in Mumbai, Edwin had numerous opportunities to involve himself with tiatrs staged by tiatrists in Mumbai and he made his entry in Fausto V da Costa's tiatr 'Futt', besides tiatrs staged by M Boyer and C Alvares. He has rendered songs in cassettes of Wilmix/Sharon and others in Mumbai and has also worked with Dinfa Productions, Dr Abdul Shaquor Productions and M M Productions.

When M Boyer came down to Goa with one of his tiatrs, Edwin was a part of it. He was also welcomed in Robin Vaz's tiatr 'Adanv ani Eve', where he played the role of Adam while Betty Ferns enacted the character of Eve. Edwin is quite popular for donning the garb of a priest or doctor for songs sung in tiatrs by Wilmix/Sharon, Premanand Sangodkar, C D'Silva, Aristides Dias, Hortencio Pereira, Peter/Roshan, Peter Gomes, Oliveiro, Lino Fernandes and others.

Having mastered the art of staging tiatrs, Edwin came out with his own production, 'Dolle', in 1986 and staged one show in Mumbai, followed by its recording in Goa with noted artistes like Anthony San, Annie, Hortencio, Betty Naz, Agnel D'Costa and Young Chico. "People still remember my tiatr and it is still in demand," he states.

Since 1994, Edwin has produced 12 cassettes which include 'Soiro', 'Okman', 'Uzvadd', 'Ravi Baint Poddlo', 'Xezari', 'Dorji', 'Sant Francis Xavier', 'Livrament Saibinn', 'Livrament Saibinnicheo Milagreo', 'Bhangar', 'Kator', 'Piso', 'Upkar', 'Dev Ditolo' and 'Dev Ditolo'. In 1999, he went to Dubai for better prospects; this was followed by a break of five years as he lost his younger brother, Simon.  

Noting his capability of composing songs, Ben Evangelisto, Mario Menezes, Norman Cardozo and Jose Mascarenhas were instrumental in coaxing Edwin to make a comeback. He picked up the strength to do so and released his CD 'Eksuro', as a befitting tribute to his brother. "Thereafter, all CDs have been dedicated to my brother, who was my backbone and right hand in the management of artwork and promotion," he informs proudly.

For his knack in composing songs on varied themes and releasing countless albums, Edwin received the 'Master Composer' title from the UAE community in 2011, followed by the same title from the Youth Club in Bahrain and Dubai community.

With regard to creating time for new compositions, he says, "It's a tight schedule at work, but I return from duty by around 7pm, I sit down and get lost in my thoughts, scribbling what comes to mind until the wee hours."

"For new compositions to take shape," Edwin reveals, "reading of newspapers and browsing the internet is a must for the latest updates. Your brain develops further and you tend to learn and gain a lot."Regarding the making of VCDs and DVDs, he personally works on the filming and editing. His 76th DVD, 'Dubaiche Goykar', was a huge success.

In 2017, Edwin presented his first musical show in Dubai, under the name 'Ugddas Alfred Rose'. The event was organised by Anthony de Varca. It was at this musical show that he met Anthony de Nuvem and Manuxin and the famed 'Dubai Trio' came into existence. The Dubai Trio has been focusing on songs mostly on politics, and has been travelling to Kuwait, Muscat and Bahrain. It clicked in local tiatrs where it received 5-6 encores for the first rendition, 'Goychim Bhattam'. Be it for musical shows or tiatrs in Dubai, Dubai Trio's participation is always there.     

With his recently released 90th audio CD 'Zabab Di Mr Modi', Edwin wishes to touch the 100-mark, thus creating history in the production of cassettes and CDs. "Norman Cardozo has always played for all the albums. Jose Mascarenhas, Anthony de Nuvem, Manuxin and uncles John and Rosario have equally been supportive. Since my first step into the world of music and tiatr, my mother, Filomena, has stood by me like a rock. I’ve also had extensive encouragement from wife, Espioza Sequeira, and daughter, Veloshka.".

An ardent follower of Minguel Rod, Edwin continues to improve on his work as far as composing of songs is concerned. "Upcoming singers should always aim to improve, seeking advice from their seniors. Mere composing of songs will not work. In order to improve the richness of one’s songs, one should also work on new melodies (tunes)," he concludes.