Edwin D’Costa a very well known singer in Konkani since recently is creating waves by composing songs on the very fresh topics. His latest song “Sancoale Kitem chollam” on U-Tube, on the recent incident occurred in Sancoale when some deeply communal minded locals whose roots I am sure are in our neighbouring areas where lot of communal violence is known to have happened. These communal minded people from beyond our Goa border cannot bear to see the existence of centuries old communal harmony existing in Goa because of the 451 years of Portuguese rule where residents were disciplined to live amicably and peacefully, Besides almost equal number OF years of Christianity existing in Goa and both these Portuguese rule and Christianity going parallel to each other there created a strong peaceful fusion between Christians and Hindus and going a bit further even with Muslims. This closeness of these communities especially of Hindus and Christians of which type nowhere else is seen now in any other part of India, this closeness has created an envy into the minds of some rascals who are enemies of Bharat and as such I dub them as anti-Indians. In fact these type of hard core communal elements pose a big danger for India and its sovereignty, these are the people who are more dangerous for India, they will go even to the extent of splitting India still further in the name of religious fanaticism. The real danger for India is not China and Pakistan but these hard core communal Indians who think Bharat that is India is their fathers’ property and they alone and their co-religionists meaning Hindus must enjoy the benefits and privileges of India.
Soon after the invasion of Goa by the Chor Nehru’s Government on 19.12.61 who robbed our Goa in front of our own eyes, that is within a few hours of Indian Military took the possession of Portuguese citadel of Aguada, some of the hard core communal minded Hindus took to the streets in our side gathering at our village Tinto and shouting slogans not only against Portugal but also shouted slogans against Christians and Christianity saying “we will send all the Christians who are pro-Portugal, back to Portugal and further saying Goa belongs only to Hindus as it was indicated in the name called India which means the land for Hindus where others should not have any place and as such all the Christians must be sent back to Portugal. See these bloody illiterate Hindus whose knowledge of Marathi language in Marathi Xalla was only upto V standard but with this limited knowledge they tried to do their research which was totally fallacious. One of them a Xeth – Goldsmith Shamba was asking me directly “ Tumcho Forsulo khuim ghelo re atam?” He was referring to St. Francis Xavier asking me why he could not stop Indian invasion of Goa now and even calling him in such a derogatory manner as “Forsulo” for such a Saintly Spanish Jesuit Priest who was called the patron Saint of Goa and who is not even from Portugal ? However, all the Xambas were under the impression that St. Francis Xavier was a Portuguese. Then after some time another fanatic Hindu Balkrishnan by name similarly asked me “Tumcho Antulo khuim nidlo re atam, tachean kainch korunk zalena mure Portuguesank rakhpak hangache’. They indicated their total hatred for Portugal and in the bargain for Goan Christians too. In fact there were innumerable Christian Freedom Fighters whose contribution for the Goa’s freedom was much-much higher than our enemies think. Goan Parliamentarian in Portuguese Parliament from Salcette Constituency and hailing from Navelim had the unique distinction of asking from the Portuguese Parliament forcefully independence for Goa and from there moving a bit further he asked other colonialists to surrender from India and hand over our land into our hands, he demanded independence for INDIA much before the Nehrus and Gandhis were born. Goan Christians were more patriotic to their land and they fought for this cause only because they were more patriotic and not to spread communalism and not to make Goa a fanatic Hindu citadel. And by the way what about the Hindu “Cheddio” from Candolim who were serving the sex life of the PORTUGUESE PAKLES from Aguada and who were all CHRISTIANS? And to those who are still thinking of sending back to Portugal the Christian Goans, they must better talk something sensible. Nobody can send the Christian back to Portugal, to use the word as “back” is the most stupid thing because Goan Christians are not come from Portugal to send them back. Goan Christians are as original and genuine as any other Goan and furthermore, according to the “Xamaecheo Kannio” they are the true sons and the true daughters of Goa because they preferred to suffer the persecution of Portugal and conversion of St. Francis Xavier but never opted to leave Goa for anywhere either in India or out of India in the name of their religion. Goan Christians were the real sons and dughters of their real fathers and because they are so, they preferred to accept the conversion that was in many cases imposed on them but would remain attached to their land, Goan Christian preferred to leave their original religion but never preferred to leave their original land. We know who were the Goans who left Goa and settled elsewhere in order to protect their religion. The greatness of Goan Christians since time immemorial lies in their faithfulness to their land. Even by residing and settling down in other countries because of jobs they always supported the good causes in the land of their fathers and forefathers.
Coming back to the topic of Sancoale which is the hot topic in Goa drawing lot of interest among Goans and because it is so, as usual one of the topmost Goan singers who is based at UAE in the Gulf released on U-Tube his song “Sancoale Kitem chollam” regarding which the singer and composer said “My fastest composed song on Sancoale Pooja”. Yes it is fastest composed song for which Edwinbab carry compliments but he must know one thing that it is Not THE fastest composed song. When one judges the greatness of this song one sees its quality, grandeur of composition, quality of the words and their suitability, its rimings and its musical score but nowhere its speed of composition comes.
As a matter of interest I noticed in my life a few singers are gifted with the GOD’s gift of composing songs in the fastest time. M.BOYER was known to have composed fast songs and his one of the all time best songs on the Alitalia Plane crash in mid sixties coming from Bangkok to St. Cruz Bombay for landing within 4 minutes but before that only it crashed making M. Boyer to sing one penultimate line as “Cotta Bombay denvpachem Plane dongraruch denvlem konnakuch zalena favo”. The Plane crashed during the midnight flight the detailed news of it was brought by the Times of India Bombay edition and after reading it early in the morning, M. Boyer composed that song immediately and rendered it at 7.30 pm at Bangwaddi Hall on the same day surprising every one attending the Tiatro there. Regarding Young Menezes I already wrote last time how fast he composed that most admirable and very rich in contents song on the death of Miguel Rod. These composers namely M. Boyer and Young Menezes did not take pleasure fighting against the timing but instead they put more stress on the quality of the songs and because it was so, their songs remained immortal.
However, the fastest composer of Konkani songs was the late Rex de Bardez who could compose at the spur of the moment any song on any topic given to him by any member of the audience.
Besides, there are many more but if I fail to mention the names of two great stalwarts, two great songsters both with melodious voice namely the Dubai based my Calangute friend Remy (young) Fernandes and the Kuwait based the late Rosary Ferns from Colva. Both of them were not only fast composers but also very beautiful songs composers and having very good voices both were beautiful singers. Besides, they are both very good Playwrights writing many Tiatros on different topics. If they had not been to the Gulf, in Goa they would be both number one. Rosary Ferns details many times appeared in print media and Remy being my long time friend was very close to me having been my neighbour from Calangute. As a young Tiatrist I saw his development from the beginning who was very popular in his locality where some of the local artistes males and females got opportunities to act in his Tiatros.
While concluding, I must say congratulations to Bab Edwin D’Costa for his song on “Sancoale Kitem Chollam” which appeared right in time and I am sure it will create a strong support for our community. Let thru this song our opponents think that we are not going to be the silent specctators to the persecution that we are facing.
A.Veronica Fernandes.