From the Editor’s desk :-
Dear Do..Re..Me..Fa.. browzers,
Hearty welcome to this first chord of this new year and I take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy, Prosperous and a spirit-filled year 2005. May the heavenly blessings be upon you and your family throughout this new year.
My heart is bubbling with joy on the great occasion of the 5th Anniversary of world’s renowned web portal ‘Daijiworld.com’. On your behalf I wish to congratulate the brain and brawn of this portal Shri Walter Nandalike and his talented team for successfully completing four glorious years. ‘Daijiworld’ what it is today, is nothing but the fruits of their great sacrifice, dedication and determination! May this great portal reach to new greater heights in the years to come!
As I was glancing to the skies studded with great music stars to present to you with a new years’ gift, I found a super star. This star was a great ‘Carnatic’ music legend who gave a new dimension to our Konkani hymns in the Diocese of Mangalore and after spending 89 glorious and fruitful years on this earth, passed away to eternity on 2nd July 2003, who is none other than a renowned priest Rev. Fr.John Stephen Titus Rodrigues fondly known as Fr.J.S.T.
Fr.J.S.T. was known for his saintly and totally dedicated life. By nature he was very disciplined and hardworking. Classical music was flowing through each and everyone of his vein. He trained many musicians and singers. He was one of the guiding forces for many great Konkanni artistes including Konkan’s all time great Konkan Kogul Wilfy Rebimbus.
Fr.J.S.T. is now enjoying his eternal reward in heaven for his fruitful life on earth. Let us emulate his example to live our earthly life in his footsteps in the service of the Lord and humanity.
I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Sri M.P.Rodrigues, Dubai & Sri Santhosh Sequiera of Santhosh Arrangers, Mangalore for the profile courtesy and photographs.
Once again I wish to thank everyone of you for taking your time in browsing this music column. See you then, next month same portal & same column. Until then, bye!
Yours in Do..Re..Me..Fa..,
Gerry D’Mello, Bendur.
A Renowned Priest & an accomplished Carnatic Music legend
(late) FR. J.S.T. RODRIGUES
The diocese of Mangalore has been endowed with many talented men and women, both among laity and clergy, who used their qualities of heart and mind to make a difference in the lives of their fellow human beings. Among the noble qualities that enrich humans, music has a place of pride, because from cradle to coffin it weaves its magic. There have been many great musicians in Mangalore and the late Fr. J.S.T. Rodrigues, popularly known as J.S.T., is one of them.
Childhood & Education :-
Fr.John Stephen Titus Rodrigues was born on 2nd September 1914 in Agrar Parish, third among the seven children of (late) Camil and (late) Rose Mary Rodrigues. He finished his high school education in St. Aloysius College High School and joined St. Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore, in 1931.
He was ordained priest on April 6, 1940 at the young age of 25 years and 7 months and thereafter served the people of God for 51 long years, being assistant parish priest in Cascia, Kirem and Bendur parishes and as a parish priest in Bajal, Gurpur, Alangar, Angelor and Kuloor parishes. Whilst in Kirem for four years, he was also headmaster of the higher elementary school from 1942 to 1946. He was appointed as the parish priest of Bajal parish in 1948 and for 6 years he served catering the pastoral and temporal needs of the people. He