NEW CD “MERRY CHRISTMAS” IN KUWAIT.
One of the well known Goan musicians to gain popularity in Kuwait is Aggy Dias from St. Estevao a village known to produce finest musicians of Goa. In the earlier part of this writing, Aggies is seen in the cover of the CD. In fact Aggy’s own father was a very good musician playing blowing instrument. Aggy too inherited lot of musical attributes from his father. Aggy learnt music to read, write and play when he was very young. But he came into limelight when he joined in the Orchestra group of the great music genius Fr. Lourdinho Barreto from Canconna, Goa. Fr. Lourdinho was known to be a genius and according to music experts Fr. Lourdinho was one of the best western musicians in India. Under this wizard Aggy Dias was groomed and blossomed at Panaji Kala Academy where Fr. Lourdinho Barreto was the director of Western Music and where he conducted Goa Symphony Orchestra. Along with this Orchestra, Aggy traveled many parts of India playing 1st Oboe which is a rare instrument. Besides, Oboe, Aggy also mastered the art of playing Organ, Guitar and Clarinet.
I first came in contact with Aggie as a musician when I observed him at Hotel Goan Heritage Calangute during the invasion period of Kuwait in 1990 where he used to play regularly in the Open Air Lawn as a one man band. Aggy’s one man band consists of only one musician that is he himself Mr. Aggy Dias but FOUR musical instruments namely Organ, Guitar, Pedal Drum and Mouth Organ. All these four instruments Aggy used to play there and surely Three at a time simultaneously besides crooning in different languages such as English, Portuguese, Hindi, Spanish and Konkani of course to the fabulous delight of the guests mainly from the West. Many of the tourists and hotel guests told me that time that they were surprised to have in Goa amongst Goans such a fabulous young musician. Some of them even volunteered to take Aggy to Germany and other parts of the West. But Aggy turned down all those beautiful offers. Aggy’s musical skill lies in promoting Goan cultural and traditional musical items and songs. He has to his own credit some especially prepared Goan traditional and folkoric medleys, some of which he already rendered in Kuwait. His presence in Kuwait amongst us is a big asset for the promotion of our musical tradition.
Then Aggy came to Kuwait and since a decade now he is in Kuwait working in the supervisory capacity in one of the Airways at Kuwait International Airport. Though in Goa music was his first priority but in Kuwait job at the Airport is his first priority which gives him better financial remuneration. However, inspite of having a good job at the Airport, he is constantly in touch with music. He teaches Guitar and Organ during his spare time. When we organized some of our shows including Mando Festivals and Mando competitions he played a stellar role not only in writing music but also in playing and guiding.
Recently he achieved a great feat in the art of music when he released his own first musical CD known as “Merry Christmas” where singularly with a singular instrument – Clarinet of small size he played Instrumental Classics which are worth listening. All who love instrumental music especially classics they should not miss the opportunity to listen to this CD. I have shown this CD to some of the top Western musicians thru my personal contacts and they all admired it very much. One of them is the music director in one of the Schools and said “this CD is worth listening and added that this CD should be the pride of Goan musical art”. He further showed his admiration for Goans who according to him are born musician. And Aggy Dias is one of the born musicians who fly the banner of Goans high thru the mode of music. This CD is become very popular amongst the Westerners in Kuwait who know the beauty and greatness of music like our elders who learnt music from early age in the Parochial Schools.
When I listened to this CD I felt proud of musician Aggy Dias who made Goans very rich musically. It is not an easy task to produce such a beautiful CD. It cost him lot of money and efforts too, first to write the music, prepare it and finally to play it singularly. Though it was a one man effort but it looks it was an effort of a group of musicians. Goans especially the music lovers must support Aggy Dias and his Goan musical caliber by purchasing this CD and introducing it to others. In this CD one can see not only Aggy’s talent but in this CD while listening one can see the musical richness of Goans. In this CD one can see the rich musical ancestry of Goans. In this CD one can see Goan musical inheritance. This CD will not become old. It will remain evergreen for all the Christmas seasons.
Mixing and editing was done by Mukesh Chatwal who according to information is a member of the troupe of Remo Fernandes. His efforts are also to be lauded.
I congratulate Aggy Dias for creating something which is unique and it will enrich not only present generation of Goans but also posterity.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
