Konkan Kogul Wilfy Rebimbus is
no more
Mangalore, Mar 9: The golden era of Konkani music came to an end with
Konkani's greatest talent, 'Konkan Kogul' Wilfy Rebimbus breathed his last at Fr
Muller Hospital here on March 9, 2010 at 11.15am, IST. The news comes as a rude
shock to people of Coastal Karnataka all over the world irrespective of the
caste, creed, language and religion for the legend has left his lasting
impression in their hearts with his mellifluous voice. His compositions not only
in Konkani, but Tulu too are cherished by millions worldwide.
He was ailing from lung cancer
since past one year, but for a while hopes were revived of his survival after
successful surgery in September 2009. However, his health deteriorated a week
ago and was admitted to the Fr Muller Hospital Hospital here. A team of doctors
tried their best to keep WIlfy alive, but he breathed his last.
His wife Meena Rebimbus, a singing legend herself, daughtrer Veena and son
Vishwas along with his close family members, members of United Youngster
Association Leslie Rego and others were with him during his last moments.
Wilfy, who would have turned 68
on April 2 this year, was a multi-faceted and versatile personality. Known for
his charming and affable nature, he was a gifted music composer, playwright and
short story writer. He was a household name among all Konkani Catholics.
Born in Mangalore in a poor family, he came up in life the hard way and started
composing and singing Konkani songs at the young age of 14. By 15, he had
written his first Konkani play, ``Poishyamcho Somvsaar,’’ and got it staged
through the St Joseph’s Natak Sabha in Mangalore.
He has contributed and enriched
the Konkani music world for over 50 years composing over 3,000 songs, 500 stage
shows and conducted as many as 248 musical nites in Mangalore and different
parts of Karnataka and even abroad besides publishing 9 volumes of Song Books.
In addition, he had brought out a book, ``Kogul Gaaithaa,’’ comprising 40
volumes in four editions, 40 highly popular music audio cassettes besides six
volumes of devotional and one instrumental album. He has written three Konkani
musical plays, Hazaar Umaalyamche Kazaar, Vechik Pooth and Mother Teresa.
He has also composed songs and written stories for Konkani movies, Mog ani
Moipas, Bogsaane, Kaazaara Upraanth and Paadri besides writing the story for the
Konkani film, Tisri Cheet.
He was showered with several awards including the Karnataka Government’s
prestigious Rajyotsava Award, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Award, Sandesha
and DaijiDubai Puraskar Awards.
Bangalore's FKCA Award was the
last award conferred on him, which was bestowed on him on Jan 31, 2010. His son
Vishwas received the award on his behalf as he could not attend the programme
due to his ill health.
Mangalore Konkans Dubai, recently initiated a movement to seek national honor
for this Konkani singer, as his contribution was worth Padmashree or
Padmabhushan awards in the least.