On last Saturday 17th of this month, a condolence meeting was called by the colleagues of Sanny de Quepem which was held at Village Inn, in Kuwait city. Mario Rebello, Fidelis Fernandes, Rosary Ferns, Luis Cardoso and A.Veronica Fernandes took the lead in organizing this meet which was attended by the colleagues and friends of Sanny de Quepem. The meet started at 8.00 p.m. and lasted about two hours. At an outset, a minute silence was observed for the soul of renowned Tiatrist Sanny de Quepem. Special prayer was conducted by Fatima Fernandes for the repose of the departed soul. All the speakers one after the other showered abundant praises on late Sanny de Quepem for his enormous contribution in the promotion of Tiatros in Kuwait.
Mario Rebello the Gen. Secretary of Kuwait Konknni Kendr in his speech lauded the good work Sanny de Quepem put in to raise the level of our Tiatro and songs in Kuwait. Mario Rebello in a special way mentioned how Sanny de Quepem worked so hard for the success of last “Songit Sanz” organized by Kuwait Konknni Kendr and on behalf of KKK, MARIO REBELLO ACKNOWLED SANNY’S CONTRIBUTION FOR THE CAUSE OF KKK.
Miss Diana, a young Malyali girl who was a good friend of Sanny, in her speech almost in tears described Sanny’s friendship with her and how Sanny treated her like her own father. She surprised everyone by saying that she always made a point to attend any Konkani show in which Sanny participated because she liked his sweet voice very much. Diana though a Malyali for which she said she was proud but she also stressed in the same manner that she was equally proud to associate with Goans especially the stage artistes. Diana understands Konkani very well and speaks also. She was brought up amongst Goans in Kuwait since her birth.
Rosary Ferns the author of first Konkani CD, first expatriate Goan to release a Konkani Album besides staging about 20 Tiatros, almost equal number of Konkani Albums and innumerable songs, throughout his speech tears in his eyes and with uncontrollable emotions described his closeness with Sanny and how Sanny was helpful for him in organizing his Tiatros and Musical Shows. Sanny was one Tiatrist in Kuwait who stood by Rosary very firmly when Tiatristanchi Sonvstha tried to isolate Rosary on the initiative of one stupid Tiatrist who is an author of disunity amongst Goans in Kuwait. Regretfully, all Tiatrists who blindly supported the stupid Tiatrist in his system of “To Aslear Aum Nachona” also proved to be equally stupid, if not more stupid. Where is justice gone? Only Sanny de Quepem had to fight openly for justice? It is disgusting to listen to the songs of some Tiatrists in Kuwait singing in support of justice but in reality in their real life under the shadow of “Sonvstha” they are guilty of practicing and promoting injustice. Tomorrow some of them will return to Goa for good. Will they say that they fought for justice in Kuwait? Some of them will take active part in public life and elections in their localities by raising the banner of justice. Will not they prove to be liars? Will I not expose them as liars and traitors? Sanny de Quepem was brought into more limelight in Kuwait by Rosary Ferns by giving him fitting roles in his shows and also inducting Sanny in his well sought after Trios, all composed by Rosary only. It was Rosary Ferns who made Sanny a gigantic artiste even helping him to release his first Audio Cassette. Rosary Ferns concluded his speech by singing a golden song of Sanny de Quepem – “Mog ani Kazar”.
In his brief speech Mr. Viegas the president of Kuwait Indian Foot-ball Federation showed his total happiness over this meeting organised by Sanny de Quepem's close associates. He said Sanny deserved this meeting and for such a man who has done so much for the cause of Tiatro we just cannot ignore. Furthermore Viegas said while organising such meetings for celebreties like the late Sanny de Quepem, we must not neglect non-celebreties. We must also think of them as well.
Salvador Dias the president of Kuwait Goan Association tears in his eyes described the greatness of Sanny de Quepem’s songs from the stage. Salvador also described in superlative terms how Sanny de Quepem helped him in organizing Rosary’s Show in aid of his organization, Kuwait Goan Association.
Luis Cardoso the Treasurer of Kuwait Konknni Kendr, in his speech praised Sanny for his soft attitude towards all. Luis said in Sanny’s songs one could get lot of knowledge and information and easily equated Sanny with some of the yesteryear Tiatrists who have contributed enormously for the development of this beautiful art. Sanny de Quepem also helped tremendously in the promotion of Tiatro, said Luis Cardoso and asked Heavenly Father to give eternal peace for the soul of Sanny.
Carmo Santo ex President of Goan Welfare Society while admiring Sanny de Quepem for his good work from the Stage showed the latest Konkani CD “NRI” that Sanny presented to him. While speaking, Carmo Santos said how Sanny one fine evening called him over phone and showed his appreciation for canceling Carmo organized Show on the same date as by Goan Welfare Society, on 9th of this month. Much before GWS could even think of organising Goa Day function this year, Carmo under the banner of Goan Cultural Centre already in advance booked this date and even announced it in the media. But suddenly from nowhere, GWS came in between and purposedly scheduled their Goa Day on 9th of this month only to create a clash and promote disunity amongst Goans. Because of this there was lot of confusion in the community. Many in the community said GWS was wrong in clashing their date with GCC and it was a sign of disunity which should be avoided. In order to avoid unwanted clash and bowing down to unity factor in the community, Carmo Santos and his team postponed their function. This was what Sanny de Quepem admired the most in Carmo Santos. Why Sanny only, others too.A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
