Demise of Wilfy Rebimbus - Condolences from Leaders and Musicians
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore
Pics by Dayananda Kukkaje
Mangalore, Mar 9: Konkani music legend Wilfy Rebimbus’ untimely demise has sent shock waves among his fans. Condolences are pouring in from various quarters all over the world—institutions, Christian community leaders and musicians by and large. Most of his fans and well-wishers are unable to believe that the man with the mellifluous voice, who entertained music lovers for over five decades, is no more. Below are some of the condolences that express deep sorrow and hail his commitment to music till the death took him from this world.
Dr Bernard Moras, Archbishop of Bangalore
With the death of Wilfy Rebimbus, the Karnataka Community has lost a great lover of the Konkani Samaj, Konkani language, Konkani culture and a person who was loved by all sections of the people for his tremendous contribution for the growth of Konkani songs, music and culture.
On behalf of the church in Karnataka, especially those who loved him and respected him, I pay my homage to him and condolence to his wife, children and to his dear ones and pray God to grant him all the blessings and Peace of Heavenly Kingdom. I also pray that the good work started by him may be continued by his children.
Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Mangalore Diocese
Wilfy Rebimbus’ death is a great loss to the Christian community in particular and Mangaloreans in general.
He has spread the name of Konkani all over the world through his songs, music, and lyrics. His songs had a deeper meaning that inculcated and enlightened people about culture, ethos, and problems in the society.
I deeply condole Wilfy’s death; my prayers and sympathies to the bereaved family.
Bishop Henry D'Souza, Bellary Diocese
Deeply saddened by Konkan Kogul's death. Wilfy was a legend and a colossus in the Konkani world. The void left by his untimely death can hardly be filled. Heartfelt condolences to Meena, Veena, Vishwas and family. May Wilfy Rebimbus' soul rest in peace.
Narayana Kharvi, President, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi
Konkan Kogul Wilfy Rebimbus has been a legendary singer, writer, and composer who has done yeomen service in Konkani music for the past five decades. It is through his melodious music that Konkani got global exposure.
He has been the recipient of the Konkani Academy Award and dedicated his lifetime for promoting Konkani music worldwide. His deeply emotional singing has touched many hearts. His memories will ever remain in the minds of Konkans.
Fr Valerian Mendonca, Director, Sandesha Foundation for Culture & Education
Wilfy Rebimbus, the nightingale of Konkani, has joined the cherubim and seraphim in heaven today to sing God’s praises forever. As a great poet, he has become an ‘unacknowledged legislator’ (P B Shelley) of the world. As a pioneer of Mangalorean Konkani music, he leaves behind a legacy of immeasurable value for succeeding generations. ‘Wilfy and Meena’ have become household names in the Konkani-speaking world. They have been great gifts to our community. We owe them an immense debt of gratitude.
Wilfy’s songs have been entertaining as well as educative. He spoke out his heart to the whole world through the universal language of music. Although he is no more in this world, he lives and will live on in our hearts.
I visited him two days ago: he welcomed me with a smile and held out his hand. We held each other’s hands and spoke to each other through our eyes. His waving hand with an affectionate look as I returned turned out to be the final goodbye. It was he who, with Meena, had come over to Kinnigoli to crown me with the title ‘Bhakti Sangeetha Sagara’ in December 2007.
Personally, I owe him a lot for the inspiration I have derived from him for my devotional compositions. On behalf of Sandesha Foundation for Culture and Education® I thank God for His gift of Wilfy to our community and the world. I offer the bereaved and affectionate family my hearty condolences. May the Lord be their consolation.
Wilfy did make his life a song of praise to the Creator. May he remain a perpetual source of inspiration to make our lives too songs of praise to the Lord. May the Risen Lord crown Wilfy with the musical crown of glory and everlasting bliss in His Kingdom. May he rest in peace.
Louie J Pinto, Eric Ozario, Mandd Sobhann
Mandd Sobhann wishes to place on record its grief and sorrow at the sad demise of the greatest son of Konkani, the father of modern Konkani songs, ‘Konkan Kogull’ Wilfy Rebimbus.
In his untimely death, Konkani has suffered an immense loss which cannot be replaced. He was a master of the art of crafting songs and unparalleled in his ability to compose songs on contemporary issues. At a time when organizations like ours did not exist, he was the sole missionary of Konkani. Last year, Mandd Sobhann took great pride in honouring him with the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the First Global Konkani Music Awards.
In today’s Konkani world there isn’t a taller figure who has served the cause of Konkani for more than 50 years. We mourn his loss and pray that his soul rest in peace. We offer our most sincere condolences to his beloved wife Meena, his loving daughter Veena, and his son Vishwas and all his near and dear ones.
He might have passed away but his memory will remain immortal in every Konkani heart, for ever and ever.
Basti Vaman Shenoy, Vishwa Konkani Sardar
Konkan Kogul Wilfy Rebimbus has sacrificed his entire life for the sake of promoting Konkani music. He is most fortunate to serve Konkani music, which got worldwide recognition because of his earnest efforts. He has inspired and mentored several budding musicians and poets.
Henry D’Souza, Musician, Singer, Mumbai
Wilfy Rebimbus and I belong to contemporary Konkani musicians. I was shocked to learn the news of the passing away of Konkani Kogul Wilfy Rebimbus. It’s indeed a great loss for the Konkani community. I pray for the repose of his soul and also offer condolences to his bereaved family members Meena, Vishwas, Veena, and others.
Melwyn Peris, Singer and Musician
The Konkani community has lost a Konkani musical legend Wilfy Rebimbus, at a time when Konkani is facing the threat of losing its sheen. The light that was ignited by Wilfy for over half a century has drowned. It’s an unbearable loss to the entire Konkani community.
I have been associated with Wilfy since my childhood. I have accompanied his troupe during many concerts, playing musical instruments and singing. He has been an ace musician and my role model. His musical audio/CDs brought worldwide recognition besides many concerts staged in Gulf countries. I extend my condolences to his bereaved family and seek strength from Almighty God to bear the loss.
Claude D’Souza, Singer and Musician
The demise of Konkan Kogul Wilfy Rebimbus has caused unrecoverable loss to Konkani community. His yeomen service to Konkani music will ever remain in the hearts of the community. He has been my mentor for the past 30 years and he encouraged my musical talents. I hope that we all get an opportunity to meet him during the Resurrection, as per our Christian faith.
Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee (DCC)
DCC vice-president Ivan D’Souza expressed his heartfelt condolences on the demise of Konkani legendary singer Wilfy Rebimbus, who has devoted his entire life to promoting Konkani music, besides contributing his mite to Konkani literature and music.
Union law minister Veerappa Moily, former union minister Oscar Fernandes, Governor Margaret Alva, Mabel Rebello, and others also expressed their condolences.
Wilson Olivera, Padukone, Musician and Singer
Konkan Nightingale, Wilfy Rebimbus was a great lyricist who inspired me in my life. A lyricist like him was never born and never will be born. This day I extremely grieve to learn of his death since this is not only a loss to the world of Konkani music but also the loss of a humble, down to earth, kind & a humanitarian person from our earthly journey.
He was the moral support for me in my music field. He was the one who encouraged me to bring out the albums of my own compositions. Personally, I owe him a lot for the inspiration that I have got from him. Wilfy Rebimbus will be missed tremendously by the Konkani music lovers but will continue to live in our hearts & minds with his everlasting sweet melodies. May God grant his soul peace & may his heavenly journey be a sweet & melodious one too. My heartfelt condolences to Meenabai, Veena & family, Vishwas and Charleen.
Gerry D'Mello, Canada, Editor - Do..Re..Me..Fa..
Whenever I present write-ups on Musicians and their melodious chords, I always feel proud and joyful. Although I pen these few lines about the greatest legend of Konkani music, in place of gladness, tears roll down my cheeks because I'm writing about a lamp that shone brightly in the Konkan world but has blown out by the wind today.
Wilfy Rebimbus, a name proudly spelled out by the twinkling stars of Konkan skies will remain in each and every heart of Konkan sons and daughters, until the sun and the moon fade away. Wilfy was an adorable husband to his wife Meena, most loving father to his children Vishwas-Charleen & Veena-Arthur and beloved grandfather to his grandchildren Arvin & Anna He was also a great personality who dedicated his entire life to Konkani music! He was a wonderful musician and a great model to thousands of musicians worldwide. He lived an edifying Christian life and has now joined the Choirs of Angels in heaven to sing praises to God for eternity.
At the mere mention of the name of my ‘Sangeeth Guru’ Wilfy Rebimbus – “The Konkan Kogul”, a soothing musical melody of his song flows and reverberates in the mind of the Konkani music lover. For the past five decades he has relentlessly created nearly 3,000 Konkani songs with his own music and lyrics and has sung them personally by casting a magical spell on the audience.
Wilfy was a musician, a lyricist and a singer; all three characters gracefully blended together in one! Wilfy’s every song is a story wrapped in music. Every song has a distinct message to convey. The words are fitted not just for a rhyme but are pregnant with significance. Every verse expresses an idea and every word contains meaning. When Wilfy delivered his composition, his expressions did full justice to the meaning of the song! It was no surprise in the Konkani world that such a genius had earned a myriad of titles and honours!
Wilfy was a man of unbelievably simple character and a down to earth personality who liked to encourage the talents of others and help the poor even financially. He founded ‘Gratian Rebimbus Memorial Education Fund’. This fund has been instituted to help out the needy and deserving students to pursue higher education. He encouraged, taught and helped the new budding artistes to improve their talents. Many youngsters joined the ‘Wilfy group’ and have enriched their musical talents. Verily, ‘Wilfy Rebimbus’ was not just a name, it was an establishment!
It is a unbelievable fact that Wilfy is no more with us. Undoubtedly, no one can fill the vacuum created due to Wilfy's demise. I pray that our Almighty God may grant a great strength to Meena, his children, the bereaved family and tens of thousands of his fans to bear this irreparable loss. May the great departed soul of our beloved Wilfy Rebimbus rest in peace!
Rony D'Cunha, Singer
Konkan Kogull Wilfy Rebimbus is no more with us, physically. But he & his songs will remain 'Alive' in every heart of the konkani speaking people.
A tribute to the Man who brought life into the konkani world through his immortal songs.
Victor Concesso, Derebail / Mumbai, Konkani Singer and Musician
Wilfy Rebimbus is the Konkani musical maestro. The songs he composed will be cherished by Konkani community for many generations. I pray for the repose of his great soul and express my heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family.
Stany D'Souza, Singer/Musician
My memory goes back 25 years. The preparations for the 75th “Wilfy nite” were going on. I was dying to sing for him, although I hardly knew him. Accidentally met Wilfy at the Retreat house where he had come to meet Fr.Albuquerque. I took courage to request him if he could give me a chance to sing in his troupe, though heart of hearts anticipated a ‘no’ answer. I could not believe when he told me that he has already heard me singing in some shows and he would like me to join his troupe. That was one of the happiest moments in my life, singing for “Wilfy Nite” which a very few during that time could dream of. Wilfy was then “god” for Konkani music (even now). Thereafter for 50 continuous nites (until I came to the gulf) the experience was unforgettable. The way he would train the singers, the gentle way he would correct us, the encouraging smile of Meenabai, and the fun and naughtiness of other members during the practice, the natural jokes of Dolla. It was a different humbling experience. He treated all the singers, musicians as part of his family.
Any attempt to comment on his songs, lyrics and revolution in Konkani that he created, would not do justice to his stature or to his immense contribution. He is just par excellence. A person as Wilfy is born just once in a generation. He was the inspiration for the new generation of singers to write songs and lyrics. He used to always tell me to release a CD of my songs. Last year when I expressed my desire to go ahead, he gave me the support and helped me a lot in guiding through the whole process.
The thing I adore the most in him is ‘Wilfy’ as a person. Anyone who talks to him was made to forget that he was talking to “WILFY REBIMBUS” the greatest son of Mother Konkani. Humble to the core. He was always ready to help and guide anyone who seeks his help. I have never seen him raising his voice in anger or speak ill of others even when he was hurt with certain incidents. Many are not aware of the charitable work he was doing in educating poor children through his brother “Gratian” memorial fund. I was amazed to learn when he once explained the whole process, the difficulty in collecting the funds, and the pain they take to pick the right candidates etc.
Wilfyaab, you will never be dead for us. Every time we sing your songs you will be around with your big, affectionate smile encouraging as ever. Do send Gods special blessings from heaven for your bereaved family and all your friends.
Meenabai, Vishu-Charlene, Veena-Arthur and children, Please accept our heartfelt condolences. Please be assured of our prayers and support for you always.