Doha: Wilfy Rebimbus Day – Musical Tribute to Legend Celebrates Womanhood
Media Release
Doha, 10 Jun 2012: The majestic Ras Lafan hall of Concorde Hotel here on Friday June 8 evening was already full by 5.30pm, the scheduled time programme was to start. The hall could accommodate 250 persons but fans were still thronging in.
The programme began with the welcome by Eddie Sequeira, the man behind this unique tribute to the late Wilfy Rebimbus. With the daughter of the legend Veena beside him Eddie took few minutes acknowledging the financial and moral support provided by few well wishers who were presented with a rose each by Veena. There were no specail guests or lengthy speeches. The programme formally began with just a short message followed by prayer by Fr Anand Castelino, the spiritual director of Qatar’s Konkani-speaking community.
The first part of the programme was a musical tribute to Wilfy with the theme “Celebrating the womanhood through immortal Konkani songs of Wilfy”. It was Nandita D’Silva who provided the perfect start to the evening with the fabulous rendering of ‘Eik Naari Sovnsarari’, one of Wilfy’s earliest compositions dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Doha’s popular musician Lancy D’Souza had arranged music track for the song , which was presented in a new way. ‘Chali Thi Vartovta’ was next. The song sung by Veena in the latest CD was played and young and talented dancers Elreena, Anushka, Gisheal, Clarissa, Adlene, Sharel and Astra entered the hall with roses and a single lighted candle which were reverently kept at the picture of Wilfy. Then they presented an eye-catching dance to this theme song. The choreography was by Prabha Rego.
Rupal Aroza who made it to the semi-finals of SOAD-3 International then presented melodious song ‘Chal Chal tu Nennteaponna’ with the playing kids Chrisel, Reona, Nikita & Navita. Qatar’s melodious queens Wilma Pinto, Namita D’Souza, Jovita Pereira, Pramila Monteiro and Sunitha Tellis’ took the stage with the song ‘Chedwa Chotrai’ and then it was time for Sana Britto, who shot to fame with her stupendous performance at the finals of the SOAD-3 International . Her entry to the stage was with thunderous applause. Her mellifluous voice was tailor-made for the foot-tapping number ‘Aaj Tumi Fulanakat’ and her presentation proved that she has a bright future as a singing star.
Then came ‘Kitem-go Kitem Jata Tuka’ the song sung by mothers and daughters, ten of them. Following that songs presenting various facets of a woman, triumphs and sorrows, of love and marriage, motherhood etc. like ‘Pondra Vorsa Sarun’, ‘Atam Atam Sarvanchi Dixt’, ‘Mai Sunechi Ladai’, ‘Ago Ye Chedwa’, ‘Striyo’ were presented as one continuous item by local singers Nina Fernandes, Wilma Pinto, Emilia Castelino, Lona Pinto, Jane Pinto, Namita D’Souza, Jovita, Sana Britto, Cybil D’Souza, Rhea Castelino, Elreena Pinto, Chrisel Pinto, Rupal Aroza, Vincent Fernandes, Wilson Mendonca, Naveen D’Souza, Kirthan Rodrigues kept the audience glued to their seats.
‘Rado-naka Dhuve’ an emotional number was presented in a unique way. While Veena and Arthur presented the song, which incidentally was composed during Veena’s marriage 18 years back, Jacintha, Sheldon & Sharon Mendonca, Benjamin Rebeiro, Aloysius & Merlyn D’Souza, Albert & Della Rego, Charles D’Mello, Rhea Castelino and Dylan D’Souza enacted the “Vopsun Dinvchem’ part of Mangalorean marriage ritual. It was spontaneous, moving and well-visualised act, with few actors dressed to the occasion including the stunning bride. Few from the audience also took part so they too became the marriage guests, and the full-house audience enjoyed the special moment.
One particular song which has been quoted by many a priests and toast masters during weddings is ‘Kitem Zai Kitem Zai Eka Kutmaant Mogaa Shivaay’. The song was presented by Doha’s singing couple Remy & Namita D’Souza much to the delight of the audience. Qatar’s favourite Rupert Lobo’s solo number ‘Mog Naka Ankwarponni’ was another much-awaited and much-appreciated performance of the evening along with the GVOM II runners-up Prima Pinto’s presentation of ‘Jayo re Bala’ with a baby and pram was so loved by the audience. One of the best performances of the evening was Remy D’Souza’s solo number ‘Naman Tuka Avoiponna’. The day also belonged to Arvin Pais, the son of Veena-Arthur Pais with the song ‘Mamma Saang’ originally sung by his maternal uncle Vishawas Rebimbus.
A special attraction was one of Wilfy’s all-time favourite touching number ‘Bahrain-garachi Mai’. As Eddie had said in the introduction that no body can sing this song as Wilfy used to, the original track in Wilfy’s voice was played at the background, while Doha’s artists Naveen D’Souza, Leena lobo, Sandeep & Jyoti Noronha, Reona & Saloni Lobo enacted the sequences of the song to the appreciation of the full house crowd. The musical fiesta ended with the song “Striyo” sung by Nina, Wilma, Namitha, Jovita, Sunitha, Pramila, Emilia.
The entire musical tribute was planned as if it was a single piece wherein characters came in a played their role. Crisp appropriate introductions to all the songs by Mable Fernandes, Prabha Rego and Eddie Sequeira was able to bind the songs. You could see the meticulous planning in the selection of the songs and acts, whereas audience’s interest too was kept in mind while utilising every moment.
At the end of the song session all the singers and actors who took part were called on stage and introduced to the audience, who appreciated their efforts with thunderous applause.
Sana Britto who topped the commerce stream in the 12th std Board Exams and secured the highest ever aggregate in the history of her school and Rupal Aroza who too scored above 90% in the Board exams were felicitated by the organisers and were presented with specially designed memento.
Then it was time for Konkani poetry session. To begin with Gladson presented talk, a well researched study on Wilfy and his songs.
The first Konkani Kavi Goshti was held in Qatar last year during the first Wilfy day and the orgnisers responding to the public demand continued the tradition. The Konkani poetry session was moderated by Gladson D’Almeida. Prabha Rego, Della Rego, Veena Pais along with senior Konkani poet Eddie Sequeira and Gladson D’Almeida recited the Konkani poems written by them while Arthur Pais presented a poem written by the late Wilfy. Just like the last year large number of audience supported and encouraged the poets.
As an encouragement to young talent, and to foster their love for Konkani Marilyn Rego , student of fourth standard, daughter of Naveen and Pramila Rego was on stage beside the other poets. She beautifully recited a poem “Mojhi Mumma’ written by her. It was a delight to listen to a young girl reciting Konkani poem at a poetry session along with others.
The second Wilfy Day came to an end with the singing by the singers on stage and in the audience, the song which the legend had sung till his end “Konknni Amchi Bhaas”
It was Eddie Sequeira who conceptualized, visualized, directed and presented the programme. He was one of the pillars of Wilfy Nites in Mangalore and abroad from 1976 till he shifted to Doha in 1990. He shared a special bond with Wilfy and had the privilege of association with Wilfy for long. Hence he could pay such a befitting tribute in the company of Wilfy’s daughter Veena and son-in-law Arthur. Jovin who is the backbone of Wilfy’s musicians had prepared special tracks for most of the songs from Mangalore specially for the programme while Qatar’s very own musician Remy D’Souza too helped with providing two of the tracks.
It was a three-hour-long programme and did not take even one minute more than the scheduled time. It was well-planned, executed and presented programme. There was no room for confusion even though more than 40 singers and actors’ performances had to be synchronized together. Then again hosting an event in beautiful hall at a Star hotel without any ticket and even saving some money out of the total contribution and providing it for the noble cause of helping the cancer patients needs to be hailed.
Eddie and Veena & Arthur on behalf of Rebimbus family would like to thank, all the wonderful singers and actors for their full hearted efforts, the well wishers for their monetary contributions and moral support. They also acknowledge the presence of the audience who came in large numbers and stayed till the end, all in all for making this Wilfy Rebimbus Day a truly befitting tribute to the legend.