Saturnine Moras

  •   Mon, Jan 01 1900

From the editor’s desk :-

Dear Do..Re..Me..Fa.. browzer,

15th of August is a red-letter day in our Indian calendar. It is a day to remember, to cherish and to celebrate. It is a day of our National Independence.  On this day the Sun will not set without our having a glimpse of the great celebrations in India.  As we have just concluded the celebrations of the Diamond Anniversary of our freedom, I take this opportunity to wish all of you a very happy Independence Day.  I wish each and every citizen of India, a freedom from poverty, illiteracy, social injustice, corruption and a freedom from religious fanaticism.

As we celebrate this great event – 60 years of our freedom, I set my eyes on the Konkann skies in my regular hunt for a music star to present to you in this unique Daijiworld portal.  In the midst of a few great stars there I can see a bright, twinkling , veteran star, a star which had created high tide waves in the Konkanni musical arena during its earthly journey and departed to enjoy the melodious bliss of eternal heavenly music a decade ago. This veteran star whom I am referring to is none other than “Amchem Daaiz” fame (late) Saturnine I.J. Moras popularly known as S.I.J. Moras.  I am sure you will enjoy listening to this sweet chord of music.

I thank you once again dear Do..Re..Me..Fa.. browser for accessing this unique Konkanni Music Column.  God Willing, we will meet again next month to listen to another beautiful and sweet chord of  Konkanni Music, until then… chow!

Gerry D’Mello, Bendur


AN OPTICIAN TURNED MUSICIAN

(late) SATURNINE MORAS OF ‘AMCHEM DAIZ’ FAME

Sri Saturnine I. J. Moras specialized in Optometry and to improve his family business did his higher studies in Optometry in Germany and England. But his natural inclination to Music overtook his Profession as an Optician and he devoted most of his time to Konkanni language and music.  The people of Konkan can proudly claim S. I. J Moras as their cherished treasure – ‘Amchem Daiz’ a fitting title he gave to his famous Konkanni Music Opera!

Birth & Education:-

Saturnine I .J .Moras was born on 22nd March 1928 at Milagres, Mangalore to the proud parents Salvadore and Angeline Moras whose close-knit family consisted of 2 daughters and 4 sons including Saturnine.   


As Saturnine grew up, he studied at St. Aloysius High School up to matriculation. Then he joined the St. Peter’s Seminary at Bangalore.  Due to his ill-health, he left the Seminary after a year of studies and went to Bombay in search of a job. He worked there as chief clerk in the Wagon Department of Central Railways. Eventually he left Bombay to England & Germany to pursue his higher studies in Optometry to improve his family business.

Later in life Saturnine married Rosaline Rodriguez, had 10 children, fulfilled his mission in life as a musician and went to his heavenly abode on 17th June 1997.

Saturnine’s tryst with music:-

As a school-goer, the boy Saturnine took active part in church-singing and school-singing.  During his short stint of one year as a seminarian in Bangalore he learnt church music in Latin.  When he worked in Bombay, he joined the famous musician Victor Paranjyothi and performed as Asst. Music Conductor in Victor’s ‘Madrigal Singers’ music group. Saturnine rightly acknowledges Dr. Victor Paranjyothi as his music “Guru’! Saturnine was also an expert player of Violin and Harmonium.


Comment on this article

  • Mary Rodrigues-Smith, Milagres, Mangalore/London, UK

    Tue, Sep 25 2007

    This article brought old memories flooding back. Yes, Mr Saturnine Moras was both a great musician and a very good optician. I remember well the Sundays of 9.30 High Mass in Latin at Milagres Church as well as various dramas & plays at Milagres School grounds & at Don Bosco Hall, including the famous 'Amchen Daiz' where Mr Moras was the Conductor.

    He was always full of enthusiasm & exuberance. Everything he did, he did it with full gusto. He was also my optician in Mangalore & when I came to England, the first optician I went to happened to be Mr Moras' Tutor, a Mr Patrick Colander, who spoke very highly of his student 'Sat Moras'.

    Mr Moras was pleased as punch to hear the news on my visit to Mangalore, when I gave him the prescription for my new glasses from his old teacher. This was in 1970! Mr Moras was a brilliant Mangalorean Star and I am sure his shine now brightens some corner heaven. May his Soul Rest in Peace. My warm regards & best wishes to his family.

    I was quite mesmerised staring with astonishment at the group photograph in this article. That's me on the far left in the front row! It was taken in 1965 during the performance of 'Amchen Daiz' at the Don Bosco Hall. Milagres & Bejai Church choirists were the singers for this play, naturally conducted by Mr Moras.

     Imagine my surprise when I saw the photograph which also gave a good laugh to my husband & sons to see me as a 17 year old! Even my 5 month old grandson seemed to be amused. (That's twice in two weeks Daijiworld I've appeared on your website. The other one is in Monti Fest celebrations at Lobo's,UK). Getting back to the group picture, sitting next to me is Rita D'souza (now Mrs Conrad Lobo) and Maria Rodrigues behind them Lena Pereira (now Mrs Gibba Goveas) of Leens School in Abu Dhabi second from her left is Eula D'Sa (daughter of another distinguished Mangalorean Star Mr M P D'Sa, now Mrs Joe Pinto) & next to her is Judy Pinto.

    I am sure other names will come to me gradually. Wow, Ladies if you are reading this, I am sure you were as surprised as I was. I must also mention Fr Fred Pereira our ex Vicar General who was, at the time, a young Asst Parish Priest at Milagres Church and was also our Choir Master. He is sitting behind Leena on the left & also in the other picture receiving the cup with Mr Moras.

    Thank you very much Gerry D'Mello of Do Re Me Fa for providing this article and many thanks for Walter Nandalike & Team Daijiworld for not only keeping us informed of the present but also reminding us of our past. Keep up the good work. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

    Agree [2]

  • ERROL C MORAS, Red building

    Sun, Sep 23 2007

    He is a very great person.He knows music very well and I would like to follow his dream

    Agree [3]


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