From the editor’s desk :-

Dear Do..Re..Me..Fa.. browzers,

First of all let me take this opportunity to thank you wholeheartedly for your kind blessings, greetings and good wishes on the occasion of the release of my first book “Do..Re..Me..Fa.. – Vollke Gronth – Poilo bhag” released by His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr.Aloysius Paul D’Souza, the Bishop of Mangalore on 30th May 2006 at the Bishop’s House, Mangalore.  I am highly indebted to everyone of you for your great support and encouragement and be rest assured that I will do my best in my great mission of presenting to you the great stars of Konkan Music on this renowned portal.

As I was enjoying the scenic beauty of our lush-green Konkan Coast fully wet with cool showers, my eyes were hunting in the open skies for a great music star to present to you on this portal, I found a super star on the distant skies of Germany, a great nation which is currently the focus of attention of the billions of soccer fans worldwide.  Although, this great ‘Konkan suputhr’  is residing thousands of miles away from his homeland, he is an ardent lover of his ‘maibhas’, giving his immense contribution for Konkani Music & art.  This superstar, whom I am referring to, is none other than Shri Michael Machado hailing from Belman, from the Diocese of Mangalore, now residing in Eppelheim, Germany.

Today, I am highly privileged to present to you this sweet chord of music.  Shri Michael is not only a musician but a great artist as well, who uses his God-given talents for His greater glory!   Undoubtedly, you will really enjoy listening to this sweet chord of music.

See you… next month… same place… with yet another sweet chord of music!  Until then, bye!

Yours in Do..Re..Me..Fa..,

Gerry D’Mello, Bendur.
 

 A KONKAN STAR SHINING FROM GERMANY - MICHAEL MACHADO    

“East or west ‘amchi maibhas’ is the best.”  This is the message Michael Machado from Germany seem to convey to his fellow Konkani speakers all over the world. Though settled in Germany, Michael has actively continued to sing and write in Konkanni and depict ‘Konkan sceneries’ in his paintings – a real ‘Konkannicho suputhr”
 

A brief life sketch :- 

Michael Machado fondly called “Mickey” by his parents Titus and Mary Machado was born in the parish of Belman, Mangalore Diocese on 17th August 1949. As he grew up, he had his formal education in schools and institutions like St. Joseph’s Hr Primary School-Belman, Board High School-Belman, St. Paul’s Seminary-Lucknow, culminating his academic studies by acquiring a Bachelor of Commerce degree from St. Aloysius Evening College-Mangalore. Though he is settled now in Eppelheim, Germany with his wife Evelyn Machado and only daughter Sharel, his heart seems to be lingering in his native Konkan land!

Childhood and influence of music : -

Right in his childhood Michael received great encouragement and support from his parents in the development of his musical abilities.  He nostalgically remembers his childhood days when there wasn’t any family gathering without songs and music. As a little boy he learnt all the old beautiful Konkanni songs from his grand parents, parents, uncles and aunts.

Everyone in Michael’s family, whether from paternal or maternal side, is music oriented. His mother, popularly known as “Mary teacher” in Belman was a talented singer and dancer. His only sister Juliet (married to Robert Coutinho, residing in Muscat), known as the “Star singer of Belman” for her Konkani Songs, was his co-singer in all his singing performa