Doha: Wilfy Rebimbus Day in Qatar rekindles golden memories

Media Release

Doha, 04 April 2011: A simple event with no chief guests, no presidents, no flowers, no speeches yet the well-planned and presented ‘Wilfy Rebimbus Day” a tribute to Konkani‘s Greatest Composer Singer the late Konkann Kogull Wilfy Rebimbus on the eve of the legends birthday, was all that a admirer of Wilfy could ask for.

 

The programme began with compere of the evening Eddie Sequeira, extending warm welcome to the gathering. The programme was envisaged by Eddie himself and was ably supported by many fans of Wilfy Rebimbus. Konkann Myna Meena Rebimbus along with daughter Veena Pais and son-in-law Arthur were present to witness this unique programme organized in honour of their beloved Wilfy.

 

Talented singers from Doha Launa, Sunita, Anisha, Preethi, Namita, Sony, Jovita, Neena and Veena with Rupert, Patrick, Vincent, Peter, Wilson, Remy, Naveen, Arthur, Joslyn and Kirthan came on stage holding candles and rendered the first song  ‘Konknni Amchi Bhaas, Konkann Amcho Ganv’, in perfect harmony, the same  song which Wilfy’s hade made his dear ones sing many times in his final days. Then all the singers floated the candles in a bowl kept on stage as a respect to Wilfy.

 

Fr Anand Castelino, the spiritual director of Qatar Konkani-speaking community conveyed his wishes for the occasion and exhorted the gathering to instill love for one’s mother tongue and culture among their children.

 

The evening was an effort to shed light on Wilfy’s many talents. He was not only a composer but a playwright, poet as well as writer.  First on the stage was Rupert Lobo the GVOM finalist presenting the song ‘Parvo’ one of the earliest and beautiful compositions of Wilfy. This was followed by heart-touching ‘Amma’, a Tulu song composed by Wilfy. The song originally sung by Meena Rebimbus was presented melodiously by the  multi talented Tulu Artist, Milaan Arun to the full appreciation of the audience. Light music accompaniement was provided for the songs by Joslyn D’Mello on Keyboard and Remy D’Souza and Kirthan Rodrigues on Guitars.

 

 

 

The evening then continued with a novel experiment by reading one of Wilfy’s earliest stories ‘Pithram’ by Stephanie Lobo, which was also much appreciated by the gathering.  Veena Pais’ rendering of one of Wilfy’s greatest compositions ‘Jibek Tankana’ reminded the audience as to how great the daughter of the legend has grown into as an acomplished singer.  Veena took the opportunity to thank all those who had stood by the family during the sad demise of her Dad and also reuested support in their forthcoming programmes back in Mangalore  and here in Doha Qatar.

 

The perfectly planned evening continued smoothly with the audience showing their appreciation through generous applause. Next came the popular singing couple of GVOM fame Naveen and Prima singing ‘Mog Na Mog Na’ to the thunderous applause from the audience.
Then the Doha-based Konkani musician Norbert Pereira’s new music album ‘Do Re Me Fa’ was released  by Meena Rebimbus in the company of Fr Anand Castelino, Norbert and Nancy Pereira and Felix Lobo. Norbert who had sung many times in  Wilfy Nite‘s also presented a tribute song composed in honour of Wilfy Rebimbus, and another song from his new album, accompanied by  young dancers.

 

After a small break the evening progressed with the talented Goan singer Paul Fernandes presenting Konkani’s and Wilfy’s all time favourite song ‘Mog Tuzo Kitlo Axelom’, much to the appreciation of the packed audience.

 

It was followed by  a ‘nritya roopak’ set to the tunes of ‘Herodichem Pharmann’, a part of Wilfy’s devotional composition ‘Ankvaar Moriechi Katha’ enacted by Sandeep & Jyoti, choreographed by Eddie was also well appreciated by the audience.

 

Then came a small scene from Wilfy’s renowned play ‘K D Bona B A’. Eddie along with immensely talented Alfred Crasta  enacted the scene once again to the full satisfaction of the crowd. Emilia was the announcer and Veena also sang the few lines of the famous title song of the play.
IN between two of Wilfy’s long time associates Felix Lobo and Wilfred Fernandes also shared their personal experience of their association with Wilfy.

 

The programme then came to  an end with the poetry session, once again a first in Doha. Few young and budding poets from Qatar recited their poems, as a tribute to Wilfy, the poet. Veena Pais read two poems penned by Wilfy, including the masterpiece ‘Geet ani Jivit’, Gladson D’Almeida, RemyD’Souza, Glany Fernandes, Glen Carlo, Prabha Rego, Vivek Monteiro, Benjamin Rebeiro and Eddie Sequeira who moderated the session reading their own compositions. Though it was late the gracious audience extended their full support with hardly anyone leaving the hall.

 

And the organizer  has announced that a sum of Indian Rupees One Hundred Thousand (1 Lac), which which was collected from the generous audience and few well wishers during the event will be handed over to the Rector of St Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore in remembrance of Wilfy Rebimbus Day.