THE LATE WILFY REBIMBUS.

“ If again I take birth, I will prefer it a thousand times only in Konkani world of which I am so proud”, said the late Wilfy Rebimbus on 29th October 1999 at the packed Indian Embassy Auditorium while delivering his speech during the function organized by Kuwait Canara Welfare Association to felicitate him. Further Wilfy in his very philosophical and intellectual address thanked God, then his mother and then the whole Konkani community for making him what he was. Then he went on saying that during his last so many years in the Konkani musical world he enoyed enormous support, love and affection from Konkani community which is indeed great. Even if he had to spend millions he would never get such a love and affection and if it all happened, it was only because of Konkani, stated Wilfy openly. Then he added thanking his mother for giving him birth in Konkani World and bringing him up in Konkani culture”.

Seen in the picture above Wilfy Rebimbus receiving a Memento from Fr. Gabriel Dias co-founder of Konkani Heritage Kuwait during the felicitation function in honour of Wilfy on 03.11.1999 at Village Inn, Kuwait City.

His death on 9th of this month was a solid blow to the Konkani culture and Konkani musical world. He composed over 2500 songs, rendered them on the Konkani Stage and in Konkani Albums which are great assets for the posterity. Under his direction, he presented over 200 Musical Shows of 3-Hour duration. Composed music and songs for the Konkani Colour Movie “Mog Ani Moipas” in 1977; also for “Bogsonne” released in 1996 and for a Video Film “Kazara Uprant” in 1998. He scripted the story for Konkani Movie “Teesri Chitt”. He released volumes of his Songs under the title “Vinchar Podam” and sold the same in 9 parts. Under the title “Kogul Gaita” he released another volume of his songs. Besides All India Radio Bombay and Mangalore broadcast his Konkani programmes a number of times. His Musical Shows have been organized in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Dubai, Muscat and many other parts of the world

Seen in the picture above Wilfy and his singer wife Meena with a Memento presented to Wilfy by Konkani Heritage Kuwait.

In his Konkani programmes and songs he kept Konkani language not only alive but also attractive especially to the new generation. His majestic physique and attractive personality with his solid base voice easily attracted him innumerable audience and followers. His son Vishwas and wife Meena gave an added booster for his shows and presentations.

Seen in the picture above Wilfy addressing the gathering during his felicitation function. Others seen at the dais from left: President of KHK Fidelis Fernandes, Elvira D'Souza, Rita Rose, Comedian Humbert and Lawry Pinto.

A very humble man from his birth, he always lived a humble life. Enormous success in the Konkani musical field never made him proud and this success never reached to his head. I had occasions to meet him many times, once in Goa a few years back during “Songit Samelan” a Konkani programme organized at Fatorda Margao where seeing me he came running to wish me and also in Kuwait many times during his visits to this country besides during the felicitation function Konkani Heritage Kuwait organized in his honour at Village Inn. I had great opportunity once in Kuwait to interview him and publish the same in print media. I always found him a simple man with simple habits without any arrogance and pride. He always supported me and encouraged me in my work for the cause of Konkani. He looked at my work in Konkani field with great admiration and I was very proud to receive compliments from him. Some of the members of his troupe in Mangalore and now settled in Kuwait always talked very high of him. It was very nice that his Mangalorean community not only in Mangalore and other parts of India honoured him by recognizing his worth but this was done even in the Gulf and other countries. This was the unique attribute of Mangalorean Konkani people.

Seen in the picture above are A. Veronica Fernandes, Meena, Wilfy and Fidelis.

During his lifetime thru his songs and shows Wilfy acted as a hinge between Mangalorean Konkani people and Goans. He never discriminated between Mangaloreans and Goans. Thru Konkani he brought all Konkani people together. In his death Konkani and especially Konkani Musical Art lost a great personality. I don’t think we will get another Wilfy Rebimbus in Konkani Musical World to fill the void created by his death. Such persons come to this world only once in centuries.

Seen in the picture above Rosary Ferns singing a specially composed song in praise of Wilfy

May the Soul of Wilfy Rest in Peace.

Adeus Wilfy - Adeus Konkani Moguia.

A. Veronica Fernandes,

Kuwait.