Doha: A Cup of Coffee with Singing Legend Wilfy Rebimbus

  •   Mon, Jun 01 2009
  •   by CGS Taccode, Doha

May 27, 2008

The Mangalore Cultural Association of Doha, Qatar is proud to organize the 245th Wilfy Nite. The mega - musical event of the year will be held on 30th May 2008 at the  Doha Cinema hall at 5.30 pm.

After a long gap of 7 years, the renowned legend of the Konkani community…the Konkan Kogul (The “Nightingale” of the Konkan region) is all set to perform his 7th Konkani Musical Nite in Doha with his celebrity wife Meena and his famous troupe . They have  already arrived in Doha to give us all a rapturous evening and evoke the musical spirit of yesteryears with new heart throbbing renditions.


A Warm welcome to Wilfy & troupe in Doha

Wilfy Rebimbus has performed in India, the Gulf countries and Canada. He has composed more than 3000 songs which  in reality should find him a prominent place in the Guinness  Book of World Records. He has released 39 volumes of his Konkani songs with each volume becoming a super-hit by  itself. Besides, he has also  composed and sung for Konkani movies like Mog Ani Maipas (Love and Affection) , Padri (The Priest) and Tisri Cheet ( Third Wedding Band)

He is a born poet, musician, singer and playwright and what many of us may be unaware of…. a great social worker who has helped  many economically weaker  members of the community.  Wilfy is a multifaceted personality, but  maintains a low profile. A very simple, humble and down to earth personality , with success never carrying him away. His ever friendly golden smile reflects his true golden heart.

I know of an  elderly lady  from a well known family whose children proclaimed that she felt at peace  and free of all pain while listening to Wilfy’s songs by her bedside during her final days. Such was the impact of Wilfy’s music  on the entire Konkany community.

If Wilfy’s voice could have a healing effect on the sick, it is but right to address him as  Dr.Wilfy Rebimbus !

Wilfy poured out his feelings when I posed him a few questions.

CGS:    After a gap of 7 years, you have come to Qatar to perform your 7th Wilfy nite musical show. How do you feel?

Wilfy:  There are two reasons to be happy about . First, I am really thrilled to come to Qatar after 7 years. Secondly , I am excited to see my children and grand children over here.

CGS:    At present the young generation is after Western music. Do you think there is any future for Konkani Music?.

Wilfy:  Western music enthralls today’s young generation with latest sound and technology. Youngsters love western music because of its rhythm and beats. For peace and tranquility of mind they know that their cultural music is the best. It is  a happy scenario to see that many youngsters take up Konkani music. Hence there is absolutely no panic whatsoever about the future of Konkani music.

CGS:    Recently you have accommodated new faces and new voices in your troupe, what difference do you find between the previous singers and the new additions ?

Wilfy:  In those days we had to train the singers. After a training of many years they were able to perform on  stage. The present generation is truly lucky, as they get an all- round training in music at a young age. So they do not need much training. But the youngsters have no patience. They look for instant success.

CGS:    Some music lovers say that your latest compositions are not up to the mark, as compared to the old ones. Any comments?

Wilfy:  Taste of the music lover changes from time to time. I have been composing songs for the last 48 years. About 20 years ago, people would say that the  songs I composed 15 years prior to that were wonderful!

CGS:    How do you compose a song? Does music come first or lyrics ?

Wilfy:  I compose songs in both the forms. It is easier to compose music for the lyrics written by others. It is quite natural to write lyrics on a particular subject and compose music. Usually I use this method.

CGS:    Like your old hit ‘Philomena’ why don’t you compose  a song on ‘Meena ’?

Wilfy:  I had composed a few songs on ‘Meena’ before our marriage and I serenaded her with them. There was no need for it after the marriage!.

CGS:     So far you have performed 244 ‘Wilfy Nite’ stage shows and created  history. How long would you continue this trend?.

Wilfy:   When I completed the 200th Wilfy Nite, Meena and I  decided to call it a day.  Now we are going to perform the 245th musical show . Many of our well wishers say that we should stop at 250th show. We feel
the same too.

CGS:    Your breath is music and music is your breath. This has been your  philosophy. Are you confident  your family would continue this tradition?

Wilfy:   The first 20 years of my life was a life of sad music.  In the beginning I used to receive only bouquets, shawls and an applause and retire to bed  hungry. We had our hard times. But in 1979 when I started bringing out audio cassettes of my songs, our economic conditions started to improve. Konkani people have extended their support whole heartedly. Thank God, now we are better off. I have no objection if my children carry on this tradition, but they should not take up music for their livelihood. With their respective professions, they can carry on with Konkani music.
by CGS Taccode, Doha
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Comment on this article

  • Jessie d'Souza, Qatar

    Fri, May 30 2008

    Beautiful interview.Congrtas CGS!!

  • Joachim Fernandes, US

    Wed, May 28 2008

    Best wishes to Wilfy, whose songs have touched the hearts of Mangalorean Konkanis.

  • William Kumar, Kinnigoli

    Thu, May 29 2008

    Wonderful Interview like 'coffee with karan'.Congratulations to Wilfy & his team and best regards to my loving writer CJS Tacode.

  • Joyce Pereira, Mangalore

    Thu, May 29 2008

    Best wishes to CGS,Wilfy and his troupe

  • Sheela Fernandes, Dubai

    Wed, May 28 2008

    Wonderful write up CGS.Keep it up!!

  • joseph fernandes, mangalore / qatar

    Tue, May 27 2008

    Wonderful interview by CGS. I wish all the best to wilfy and his troup.looking for the good show.

  • Edward Dalmeida, Moodubelle / Doha Qatar

    Tue, May 27 2008

    Welcome to Wilfy & Group.

  • Walter Dantis, Kinnigoli /Bahrain

    Tue, May 27 2008

    Dear CGS, Your "Coffee with Wilfy" interview has given us lot of insight into the life of this great Konkany singer. All the best for the upcomming Music event.

  • M.P. RODRIGUES, DUBAI

    Tue, May 27 2008

    Thanks CGS for your coffee hour with Wilfy Rebimbus. I have to date interacted with many talented and gifted people but found very few so simple and humble like Wilfy. May God bless him and Meena for the vast Konkanni cultural wealth they have created for the present and future generations.

  • DONY LOBO, MILAGRES, MANGALOORU, DOHA,QATAR

    Tue, May 27 2008

    Welcome to Wilfybab, Meenabai and the children and the troupe to Doha Qatar. I am sure CGS while sipping the Arrabica Davidoff Coffee truly reflected and represented the feelings of an entire community, or rather the entire generation whose one and all musicians, both recent past,present and upcoming youngsters have been greatly inspired by Wilfybab and Meenabai not only to love Konkany Music but also to sing in Konkany language during every possible opportunity like competitions, functions, parties, weddings, picnics and to cap it all….even those who are lonely or sick or handicapped draw happiness from listening to Wilfy and Meena’s songs.

    If actors or politicians could be confirred the title of Doctors ( like Rajkumar, MGR, Jayalalitha etc ), here is a couple that radiates peace and joy by touching the innermost feelings of every Konkani human being with their voice and words of their songs ….. and they rightfully deserve to be addressed as the Doctor Couple of the community

  • Denzil Rayen, Mangalore/Doha Qatar

    Mon, May 26 2008

    congratulations to Wilffy And Group.


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Title: Doha: A Cup of Coffee with Singing Legend Wilfy Rebimbus



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