Mangalore : A Fitting Public Tribute to the Legend Wilfy Rebimbus
pics by Spoorthy Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - FR
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Mangalore, March 22 : One can call it a poetic justice that a poet like Union Minister for Law and Justice Veerappa Moily paid his tribute to “Konkan Kogul” late Wilfy Rebimbus in a public tribute programme convened at the Milagres hall in the city today, to poet, singer, music composer and dramatist and social reformer, who passed away last week. The public, all fans and admirers of Wilfy came in large numbers to pay tribute to the legend who still lives in the hearts and minds of all Konkani lovers through his innumerable songs and plays.
As a fitting tribute to the departed soul Veerappa Moily minced no words in saying “Wilfy is the “yugapurusha” of the Konkani community and a social reformer, who used music to drive home socially relevant messages through his music. Though Wilfy is not physically present with us today we cannot say he is dead as he has found a permanent place in our minds”. He also said “Wilfy made others happy by diverting his pain to deliver socially relevant messages in the form of songs. His journey cannot be stopped with his death. His is a continuous journey. It is a tradition”, Moily pointed out. He further added that Wilfy has left behind his golden footprints and has inspired countless number of people. “Creativity is a circle which has neither a beginning nor an end. Wilfy was a creative artiste endowed with a forward looking attitude and always had the ability to change the psyche of a person. Even god cannot take away the music legacy left behind by Wilfy”, Moily remarked.
Recalling the services of Wilfy Veerappa Moily stated that Wilfy did not tread in the path traversed by others. Rather he walked on different paths and left behind a trail for others to emulate. He challenged the present crop of musicians and also the future ones to continue the legacy of Wilfy and concluded saying “we will not get another Wilfy for another 100 years”.
Moily paid floral tribute to Wilfy’s portrait by lighting the candle followed by other dignitaries on the dais namely Vicar General Rev Fr Denis Moras, Abhayachandra Jain, K Amarnath Shetty, James Mendonca, L S M Masood, Basti Vaman Shenoy and Dy Mayor Rajendra Kumar. Dy Mayor Rajendra Kumar presented a memento on behalf of the organizing committee to Wilfy’s son Vishwas Rebimbus.
Vicar General Rev Fr Denis Moras Prabhu (who represented the Bishop of Mangalore who is away in Bangalore) stated that Wilfy used his multifarious talents to bring about a marked change in the society. “He has bequeathed a rich legacy to the Konkani world and the society has been greatly benefited by his largesse”, he remarked.
K Amarnatha Shetty in his tribute to Wilfy pointed out that Wilfy has left an indelible mark in the society through his music. “He entertained music lovers not only in Mangalore but beyond the boundaries of India by presenting shows in Gulf countries and even in Canada”.
Dy Mayor Rajendra Kumar touched a chord when he said he had attended many Wilfy Nites held in Town Hall as he was familiar with the Konkani language. He said Wilfy entertained the audience with his sonorous voice and meaningful lyrics. A representation handed over to the Dy Mayor (who represented Mayor Rajani Dugganna) requesting the Mangalore city corporation to rename the road from Valencia Circle to Koti-Chennaiah Circle as Wilfy Rebimbus Road and he promised the gathering that he would impress upon the Corporation to consider their request favourably and would do his best to ensure the road is renamed after Wilfy Rebimbus.
Abhaychandra Jain paid tribute to Wilfy saying Wilfy lives in the hearts of the people through his songs. James Mendonca who was represented the gulf community in the public tribute recalled his participation in the Sentimental Nite of Wilfy held at TMA Pai hall a few months back terming it as a memorable event. He said “Wify’s songs are a boon to the society. He was greatly responsible for inspiring the Konkani community in the gulf to maintain that umbilical with their mother tongue”. He also announced that the
Gulf Konkani Community in association with Sandesha Prathishtana has decided to set up a fund of Rs. 10 lakhs to help continue the legacy of Wilfy.
K S M Masood, President of Muslim Central Committee said Wilfy deserved a national level award for his contribution to Konkani music and culture. He requested the Dy Mayor to unveil a statue of Wilfy once the road is renamed after him.
Konkani Sardar Basti Vaman Shenoy in his tribute stated that credit goes to Wilfy for bringing some standard to Konkani music when everything around us was changing. “His contributions to Konkani music, art and culture are unparalleled. Wilfy did not promote Konkani songs as his vocation but out of his love for Konkani”, he recalled.
The public tribute programme began with a prayer song. The convener of the organizing committee Ivan D Souza welcomed the gathering and paid rich tribute to Wilfy and his legacy. “Wilfy’s greatness lay in his concern for the society. There was a message in all his songs. He did social service in the form of his songs. Wilfy is a University in itself in Konkani literature”, he remarked. He also thanked Veerappa Moily for making it to the programme despite his busy schedule.
Oswald D Souza read out the citation of tribute highlighting the contributions of Wilfy to Konkani language, art and culture. Rev Fr Denis Moras Prabhu handed over the tribute citation to Wilfy’s children - Vishwas and Veena.
Earlier the assembled gathering was presented with a video presentation of the “Golden Footprints” of Wilfy comprising his songs and a part of his speech at the Sentimenal Nite programme that touched the hearts of the assembled gathering.
Babitha D Sa and Claude D Souza sang a Tulu song “Bulipod Barod Telipod Povod”, which was apt on the occasion, giving a glimpse of the versatility of Wilfy’s talent.
The Milagres Hall was brimming with people and fans of Wilfy irrespective of caste and creed which was an indication of his popularity.
Lesli Rego compered the programme. Vasudeva Bolar presented a vote of thanks.
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