D r Sydney Pinto do Rosario reminisces on his first meeting with Lorna, on the occasion of she being bestowed the Lifetime Achievement Award by the government of Goa.
I distinctly recall the month and year – May, 1978 – to be precise. I was at a wedding reception at “O Couqueiro” when, all of a sudden, a melodious voice filled the hall. I recognized the tune as one of Lorna’s songs and said to the host with whom I was talking at that moment, “This lady sings exactly like Lorna.” A bit surprised, he said, “But she is Lorna!” He at once took me to meet her and made the introductions. I genuinely complimented her on the gift of such a beautiful voice and also added that the next day, the Lions club of Mapusa (of which I was the then President) was organizing a meeting which would be addressed by Dr. S.Z Qasim, the then director of NIO, Dona Paula and the man who had helped lead the first expedition to the Antarctic. He would be talking on, ‘Why outsiders like Goa’. Would she, I asked, oblige me by singing a few of her hits at the function? “Oh! But I don’t sing at public functions,” she countered. I managed to convince her that this was a meeting for the Club members only, a select group of people. She mulled over this for a while and finally said yes. She said that she lived at her ancestral house in Saligao and would have to be taken to the venue from there. “I shall be delighted to do it myself,” I told her.
The next day, after a brief visit to my house in Porvorim, we were on our way to the meeting at Mapusa. En route, Lorna was interested in knowing more about Lionism and I was glad to oblige. I told her about it being the largest world-wide organization wherein over a million people were serving mankind. It was founded, I said, by a visionary named Melwin Jones. She asked about the ladies’ role and I told her that ladies also played an important role in tandem with their male counterparts. They were called Lion Ladies Auxiliaries..(Ladies are now full-fledged members of the Lions Club International working under the banner ‘The Lioness Club’ offering the same humane service to all).
On a lighter note, I mentioned to her that we’d recently had a debate on the topic entitled; “Should Lionism embrace women” and a witty soul rose from his chair and exclaimed, “No! But the Lions should!” Lorna gave a delightful laugh and said that she liked the humours of the Lions.
After the usual introductions and speeches, Lorna was invited to sing. She set the stage on fire singing one hit after another – songs that have made her a legend in her own lifetime – Bebdo, Nachom-ia ami kumpasar, Lisboa, etc. The members couldn’t have enough!
Dr Qasim, very impressed, complimented me on getting the nightingale to sing that evening. I told him that in his speech he had just mentioned that among other things, music was one of the reasons that outsiders liked Goa and that this young lady had aptly proved his point. I must mention that Lorna was ably accompanied on the guitar by my neighbour and friend, the late Mr. Peter Delgado, who was the then Chief officer of Panjim Municipality.
The years have rolled by and I have not met Lorna in all this time. I do not even know if she would be able to recall that particular evening. One thing I am sure of: The memories of that evening will remain embedded in the mind of the people who had the privilege of hearing her sing that evening. Thank you Lorna, once again, after all these years.
