Sep 30, 2009

As a child prodigy this lanky Guitar playing singer stole the heart of many Konkani enthusiasts with his sonorous voice and multifarious talent at various singing competitions and Konkani plays.  Having stolen the limelight this lad was not just content basking in the glory of his childhood accomplishments.  He grew up to keep up the promise he exhibited as a child to emerge as a successful Konkani singer, song writer, composer, guitarist and actor, all rolled in one.  In a music career spanning 4 decades beginning as a child participant in the singing competition conducted by Konkani Natak Sabha in 1967, Melwyn has come a long way and is still raring to go, becoming a phenomenon in Konkani music with a fan club of his own. 

Nicknamed the “Yodelling King” by his multitude of fans for his special talent to sing with melodious inarticulate sounds with frequent modulation, like his favourite singer Kishore Kumar, Melwyn has established a distinct identity of his own among the Konkani speaking community.  With the patronage of his fans and well wishers he is now all set to achieve another milestone in his music career with his 75th Peris Nite scheduled for November 22, 2009 at St Aloysius College grounds. 

It is indeed a stupendous feat for Melwyn who took music not as a career but as a hobby to give vent to his innate music talent and through it help the society in whatever small way he could.  The platinum jubilee Nite is organized in association with the Guardian Angel Church, Angelore, for raising funds for the Higher Education Fund set up by the church for helping needy students.   The 75th Nite will also see the release of his 25th volume of CD’s title “Dabazo and Sintimenta” containing 25 songs and also the release of his book containing all the songs of his 25 volumes of CD’s titled “suvalle”, thus providing a bonanza for his fans.  Incidentally his 75th Nite coincides with the Platinum Jubliee celebration of Angelore Parish, to which he belongs to. 

Music runs in the blood 

“Sangeeth Ghar”, the name of his home amply manifests that music has become an indivisible part of the household.  In fact music runs in the blood streams of the Peris family.  His older brother Dennis Peris was one of the main singers in Wilfy Nites and was a dramatist who has written popular plays like “Mestrichi Dhuv”, “Bus Conductor”, “Ekass Rukachin Pholan” etc.  “Sangeeth Ghar” which organized many programmes including plays has the distinction of creating a record of sort by presenting a houseful show by selling tickets only at the counter. Brother Albert and sister Mabel also formed part of Wilfy Nites as singers. “I blossomed as a singer under the tutelage of my older brother who was my guide and inspiration from my childhood.  As I began to make in music the financial assistance provided by him helped me establish in the Konkani music field.  My brother has also taken care of my educational needs”, says Melwyn with gratitude. 

 

His first cousin late Valerian Vas was also accomplished singer which strengthens the fact that music runs in the Peris family. Being the youngest in the family of five a young Melwyn was groomed under the watchful eyes of brother Dennis, which enabled Melwyn take to the stage at a tender age of 6, winning accolades and instant recognition.  It was in 1967 he made a dream debut in a singing competition held at Don Bosco Hall with the backing of his family and since then it has been a musical journey rewarded with appreciation from Konkani music enthusiasts who throng to his shows and patronize his cassettes and CD’s.  With his Baila songs he became a household name in Konkani and non-Konkani speaking people.  

Candid Admissions 

He candidly admits “I have not done shows for the love of Konkani or for making money.  I have done the Nites just to use my talent and in the process helped to fulfill the needs of the society through these benefit shows”.   Except for the 25th, 50th, 60th shows organized by Sangeeth Ghar all other shows were organized by his well wishers for the benefit of charity work.  

Having made a dream debut Melwyn began composing at a young age of 16.  He also learnt guitar which gave him a cutting edge as a singer cum guitarist.  He was part of Wilfy Nite up to 100 Wilfy Nites, giving him the much needed forum to prove his incredible talent.  Here he was performing as a guitarist without much scope for singing as Wilfy’s group had many talented singers. He therefore contemplated performing his own Peris Nites giving ample scope for him to showcase his singing credentials.  

On gaining sufficient experience Melwyn came out with his first cassette of Konkani songs in 1982.  He has composed music and songs that has mass appeal and many a time the songs composed by him have bagged “song of the year award’ at Konkani Natak Sabha singing competitions. His singular efforts in singing resulted in Kulshekar Parish winning the shield in inter parish singing competition for the first time in 1980. 1981 a part of Kulshekar church was merged with Angelore and Melwyn became parishioner of Angelore Church and this time his efforts ensured the shield to Angelore church for the first time. 

Ever since he has been doing benefit shows for charitable causes, though music still remains only his free-time hobby. That does not mean he is taking his music career lightly.  His dedication to the music field still remains intact but it could not be a career and he never intended it to be.  His career as a Development Officer in National Insurance Company Limited takes much of his time leaving the rest for pursuing his music hobby.  It is nothing but a balancing act between his home, his career and his hobby-music, which has not been easy.    

Melwyn has given shows in Mangalore, Bangalore, Mumbai and all gulf countries except Saudi Arabia.  He has visited the gulf 16 times and presented his shows there. The last visit was in 2008 as a judge of the Gulf Voice of Mangalore competition along with Wilfy and Joel Pereira, where he also presented programmes of his songs.  “Going to gulf countries to present shows was one of the memorable experiences of my music career.  People in the gulf evince greater interest in Konkani songs and programmes. May be the feeling of being away from motherland binds them through Konkani”, he says.   

Apart from Konkani CD’s Melwyn has another first to his credit with 14 volumes of devotional cassettes/CD.  15th volume of his devotional songs titled “Daivik Ulo” is slated for release at the platinum jubilee show.  He also has brought out CD of the “way of the cross” in music form in 2006 which is being used in different churches.   In addition, he has brought out a separate CD with 9 verities of tunes of the Konkani songs which are an essential part of the regular mass service.   His songs Tulu language has also been well received by the people of all hues .  He became a household name with his Baila songs series which were well received by all.  The first CD was “Baila Baila” brought out in 1998 followed by “Baila 2000” and “Baila Blast” thus creating a special forte for himself in the music field.  

Realising the long cherished dream 

His long cherished dream has been to present shows in rural areas and a beginning has been made in the form of 10 shows to be performed free of cost in the interior parts of Dakshina Kannada, organized by his well wishers through YCS. He has already performed in Kinnigoli, Moodbidri and a few other places and has plans to complete the planned shows in other parts by the end of this year.   

In a music career spanning four decades there have been awards galore in recognition of his contribution to Konkani music. He is the recipient of Sandesh Art Award, Karnataka Konkani Sahithya Academy Award, Konkan Kala Ratna Award given by Bombay Theatre Group, Toast Masters International Club-USA award and many more.  

While there are many milestones in his career Melwyn felt honoured when he was given an opportunity to compose and sing the theme song of Christa Jayanti 2000 held at Nehru Maidan, Mangalore in 2000.  “It was a great honour bestowed on me when Mangalore Diocese chose me to compose and sing the inaugural song for “Christa Jayanti 2000, comprising 200 singers.  I value that experience very high in my music career” he declares.  

His older brother Denis was his inspiration, guide and mentor that helped him gaining a foothold in Konkani music.  At the same time Wilfy has been a role model for budding Konkani singers including Melwyn.  He reverentially remembers late P H Pinto who nurtured his talent by providing an opportunity for him to sing with Hindi film musicians. He also gives due credit to Joel Pereira who has been his music director since the 24th Peris Nite. 

His wife Neeta has been his pillar of support taking care of the home front and the children giving him enough leeway from the onerous responsibility and concentrate on his twin careers.  Elder son Melster is studying engineering and younger son Nester is in PUC and the entire family stands by him like a solid rock and that has given him the required strength to carry on amidst the hectic schedule.  

Melwyn Peris can be contacted at 0091 - 9449021810