Jun 30, 2007
From the editor’s desk :-
Dear music lovers,
Once again a hearty and a warm welcome to your most favourite music column ‘Do..Re..Me..Fa..’. I am truly indebted for your unstinted great support and encouragement that keeps me moving in my marathon walk in this vast music arena.
Yes, legends after legends beautified this music column and this month too it is up with another legend. For nearly half a century he was the choirmaster of ‘Bejai Church Choir’, one of the great choirs in the Diocese of Mangalore, I reckon! He was very popular in Mangalore not only for his music talents, but also for his mastery in teaching, and in the field of social service through serving the renowned Vincent De Paul Society for long 55 years. He was blessed with multi-faceted talents and his down-to-earth personality attracted everyone towards him. This great legend whom I’m referring to, is none other than the earthly father of yet another great musician (late) Prof: Bennett Pinto, the late Cyprian Urban Pinto, fondly known as ‘Sippa Mesthry’ of Bejai, Mangalore.
As we commemorated his 95th birth anniversary few weeks back, let us emulate his exemplary life and use our God-given talents for the benefit of the humankind and for the greater glory of God!
Thank you dear browsers for taking your time out to browse this column. We shall meet again next month, same site and same column with yet another sweet music chord. Until then, bye!
Yours in Do..Re..Me..Fa..,
Gerry D’Mello, Bendur
A LEGENDARY LIFE FILLED WITH MUSIC
“ SIPPA MESTRY” – (late) CYPRIAN URBAN PINTO
Who among the music lovers of Mangalore does not remember “Sippa Mestry”, the “Kogull of Bejai”, the late Cyprian Urban Pinto who was also the proud father one of Konkanni’s greatest musician late Prof: Bennett Pinto? He surrounded his life with the gentle, soothing, elevating aura and sound of music. Those seven musical notations kept him afloat in life. He traversed the musical Octave with ease and joy, singing in a mellifluous voice, accompanied by his dexterous playing of musical instruments. Music was his life and passion
Early stages of his life:-
Cyprian Urban Pinto was born in the Parish of Bejai, Mangalore, on 2nd April 1912. Out of 8 children (4 boys and 4 girls), he was the eldest child of Joseph and Flora Pinto. He studied in Bejai Board School and St. Aloysius School up to 9th Standard (IV Form). Due to financial constraints he discontinued his studies and for the next two years he taught children half day so that he could earn some money. Then he joined the Teacher’s Training Course and after obtaining the Teacher’s Training Certificate in 1932 he taught in the Bejai Church School till his retirement in 1971! In the meantime in 1951 he married Alice Mendonca who was also a teacher by profession. Their only son late Benett Pinto was a Professor at St Aloysius College and was a renowned musician (whose profile has already been published in this unique music column). Cyprian passed away at the age of 78 on 13th August 1990.
Cyprian the Musician:-
At the age of 12, Cyprian joined the Bejai Church Choir. Rev. Fr. Anthony Colaco, the then Vicar of Bejai Church motivated him to join the Choir. Under Fr. Anthony’s guidance, the boy Cyprian developed a keen interest in music, getting a professional training in vocal music from him. The Choir Master of that time of Bejai Church, late John S