Mangalore: Claud D'Souza’s Twin Music Albums Promise a Treat for Konkani Music Buffs
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (CN)

Mangalore, Nov 24: Konkani music is growing richer with each passing day, if not in monetary terms, at least in the number of albums being released and the musical events conducted. 

The latest gift to Konkani music lovers worldwide are the two albums by ‘Konkan Kalashree’ and Sandesha award winner Claud D'Souza. 

A man who has dedicated his life to Konkani music, Claud has come up with the two albums ‘Roce ‘N’ Brass' (Vol 14) and ‘Claudia’ (Vol 15), which are wholly different from other conventional audio albums.

Claud has been a consistent performer in the Konkani music world and has been travelling around the Gulf region for his own shows besides accompanying Konkani legend Wilfy Rebimbus for Wilfy Nite. 

Claud also travelled to Canada early last year for a show. He has staged many shows in Mumbai, Mangalore, Goa, and elsewhere.

With 46 musical ‘nites’ dedicated to Konkani music fans, Claud is not only an outstanding singer but can also play musical instruments like the drums. He is a compere par excellence and has been a very good actor-director of Konkani stage shows.

He made his first appearance in Wilfy Rebimbus' shows from the 75th Wilfy Nite and has been an integral part of the troupe since. Claud has written, directed, and acted in over 30 Konkani stage plays. 

His sound and religious plays have brought him laurels. Fifty-one-year-old multi-talented Claud has won several honours and awards of which ‘Sandesha Award’ and Karnataka Sahitya Academy are notable.

‘The Nazareth’, Dubai, is presenting these twin albums which will be released in Mangalore in the first week of December 2009.
 

Roce 'N' Brass:

‘Roce 'N' Brass’ is well-timed as the wedding season is right around the corner. The album offers everything that the pre-wedding Christian tradition 'Roce' needs. 

“Always, people abroad, and even those in India, ask us about the tradition of roce. These days, everyone wants to go for a traditional old style roce than the new five-star concepts. These enquiries inspired me to provide this album for all those set to marry as also those who are already married and wish to recall their traditional roce memories", says Claud. 

"The album includes ‘Vovio’ for both the bride and groom and the brass band played in the album includes first hymn of the roce, Konkani songs which are suitable for roce, bands for both bride and groom while sitting for roce and while getting-up from the roce, non-stop baila, and the like”, he elaborated. 

"The album also includes non-stop Goan and Mangalorean baila by Goa's ace singer Antony Sam, 'Vovio-Verse', and 'Lavdathe' with a number of selections”, says Claud.

St Rita's Band, Cascia, has provided the complete brass band music for the album. Talented singers of Mangalore, Asha D'Souza, Anna D'Souza, Babitha D'Sa, Babitha Pinto, Zeena Pereira, Meera Crasta, Lucy, Rony Crasta, Alwyn Noronha, Prakash D'Souza, and Claud D'Souza, are also featured in this album.
 

Claudia:

The other album, 'Claudia', has the latest songs by Claud. Fast, dance numbers as well as sentimental melodies can be found amongst the 12 hit songs like 'Manglurgara', 'Estha', 'Yeya Manglurak', ‘Dinna Dinna' in Bhangra style, ‘Coco-o-doodle’, 'Zalari', and 'Yego Baye'.

The lyrics and tunes for the album are by Claud while Joswin Pinto has directed the music.

Singers who have lent their voices are Rony D'Cunha from Kuwait, Anitha Samson, Antony Sam Goa, Babitha Pinto, Zeena Pereira, Baby Shalon Pinto, Rony Crasta, Meera Crasta, Prakash D'Souza, Alwyn Noronha, and Claud.

Both albums have been recorded by Ashit Pinto at Sandesha Studio. 

The albums have been produced by Sheldon Delroy Nazareth, Dubai, Kevin Santosh Nazareth, Dubai, and sponsored by DORAL IT Systems LLC Dubai, dedicated to late Gilbert Paul Nazareth.

Jerosa Company, Mangalore, is the exclusive distributor of these albums in Mangalore.