Thousands Bid Final Adieu to
Wilfy Rebimbus
Mangalore, Mar 11: Thursday March 11 was a day of great sorrow to numerous
fans, well-wishers and family as they had bid a final adieu to Wilfy Rebimbus,
who was dear to their heart. The clergy, nuns, common people, professionals all
forgetting their routine for a day, setting aside their own discomfort became a
part of personal pain and loss of Wilfy's family.
As the pall bearers carrying the
mortal remains of Wilfy entered the Jeppu seminary grounds here, the church
bells were sounded to convey the sad message in the neighbourhood. Mourners in
thousands with flowers and bouquets in hand from nook and corner of Dakshina
Kannada and far off places like Chickmagalur, Bangalore, Coorg, and rest of the
parts of Karnataka as well as abroad, singing holy hymns made their way towards
the venue where the body was placed for public view and reverence.
The body was placed at the venue for two hours before a commemoration mass that
took place about 4 o'clock. In the background, the devotional songs created by
Wilfy over the period of time were playing creating the right ambience. The
choir podium was also set and was used by a choir group of approximate 25
singers led by Sri Prem Lobo, one of the prominent members of United Youngsters
and member of Wilfy's troupe for the past 25 years for a marathon run of
devotional singing that continued till the high commemoration mass that
commenced around 4 o'clock.
A great arrangement was in place
to accommodate a huge crowd as well as seating arrangement for 5,000 people was
made on the grounds in front of St Joseph's church at the seminary view
compound, the compound where Wily was born and bred and brought up.
Many shared their views about the man. Ivan D’Souza, a prominent youth leader
said that Wilfy was neither a political leader nor represented any particular
sect. He was beyond all the political streams and represented a wider human
community.
Pappan and his associates came all the way from Kerala and had been a part of
Wilfy's troupe whether it was a programme held in India or abroad. He said, “I
have lost my brother and I don’t foresee my future in Konkani.”
Some of the other prominent personalities and singers such as Prem Kumar, Claud
D'Souza, Ivan Sequeira and Joswin Pinto, who had been associated with Wilfy
along with his journey of music paid rich tributes to his legacy. Among others,
who arrived to pay the respects to the great man were Rajani Dugganna, the newly
elected mayor of Mangalore City Corporation accompanied by the deputy mayor
Rajendra and corporator Ranganath Kini.
The legendary Wilfy Rebimbus was laid to rest with honour in the presence of
vast crowd of relatives, clergy, friends, fans and well wishers at Jeppu
Cemetery alongside the tombs of his family members, including his eldest brother
Gracian Rebimbus.
Meena, Wilfy's beloved wife, who always stood by him through his life’s journey,
was led towards the grave along with her children and daughter in law, son in
law and grand children to have the last glimpse of their beloved to the
accompaniment of gloomy music played by the Brass Band and prayers.
The Bishop of Mangalore Rt. Rev. Aloysius Paul D’Souza offered the final prayers
dedicating the mortal remains of Wilfy to God and consigning it to the dust. He
invoked blessings of Holy Spirit and the Saints to take his soul to heaven in
their grace.
As the hymn, `tuji kushi zanv' is being enchanted the casket bearing Wilfy's
mortal remains was lowered into prepared grave. A pin drop silence prevailed as
the bereaved family members' grief was heart rending and they were inconsolable.
Vishwas the eldest son placed the white cloth over the face and over mortal
remains was covered with the cloth signaling the end of the great legend and
Konkani ‘s hero “Wilfy Rebimbus’s” life's journey.
