Basilio Magno - (Journalist-Songwriter)

Basilio Magno is essentially a journalist but he is better known as a composer-lyricist. He started composing and publishing songs in English in 1950 and was dubbed by critics in Bombay as "Irving Berlin of India". Among his many published songs are viva el rey, beloved England's sweetheart, Friede Komm, O Rock de portugal, Polle Sndor ti, Folk-operetta, a day in Goa, 10 folk songs in English, audio and cassette by basilio.
It was in the month of February 2007, I had read an article about Basilio Magno in the newspaper, and I was particularly interested in two of his compositions "Proud to be a Goan" the anthem of the World Goa Day, which was composed at the request of the founder of WGD which is celebrated annually on 20th of August, since the year 2000 and his prized song 'Friede Komn' dedicated to his holiness Pope Benedict XVI, Its a ballad on Peace. I wrote to Basilio an email to him asking him for the songs. I had an instant reply from him and not only that he sent me his compositions by post which included "Proud to be a Goan", "Meet me at Calangute", "Lets sing and pray for Blessed Joseph Vaz", "A Hymn to Xavier" and many more of his musical pieces. He has been a good friend of mine fover the course of time. He is son of the Goan soil - a "pakkha-goan". After his retirement in Germany, as a pensioner he is presently living in Spain along with his wife Rosa Maria Lopes Gonsalez (Rossi). He Celebrated his 84th Birthday this year on 14-06-07. He was a special invitee to the Convention of the "Goan Diaspora in Lisbon" where he was asked to make a presentation about his work and his understanding of Goan Music and about all his new songs composed, including the World Goa Day anthem. He played his compositions the song that caught everyone's attention was "Come to Goa" - a mini story of Goa told in words and music, meant more for children, adapted to the old Goan air. Proud to be a Goan and his latest production-flock-rhapsody "Ring Wedding Bells (a 10 minutes boy-girl duet) the other pieces of his music played.
Basilio though in Spain his heart is in Goa and for Goans has also been writing a column "Konkani corner" on www.melgoans.com.

Goa Intercollege Carol Singing competition organised by Help and Help Charitable Trust, Goa

Goa Inter College Carol Singing competition organised by Help and Help Charitable Trust, Goa

The Inter College Carol Singing competition organised by the Help and Help Charitable Trust, Goa was held at the Kala Academy Open Air Auditorium on 18th December, 2008.

Fr. Valeriano Vaz, Director, Caritas Goa was the chief Guest for the occasion. He congratulated all the participants and also the Help and Help charitable trust.

In all, there were 12 Goan Colleges participating in the event.
It was a mesmerizing performance by the students of St. Xaviers College, Mapusa, that gave them first prize, the second place went to Dempe College, Miramar and the third place was bagged by The Dental College, Bambolim.

There was a large audience for this event and they were applauding the participants. The competition was tough, so it meant a lot of judging for the members of the Jury that included eminent personalities like Fr. Benard Cotta, Fr. Jean D'Cruz, Ms. Juliana D'sa, Ms. Mercedes Lobo & Shri. Christopher Furtado.

What came as a pleasant surprise to the audience was the carol singing by a 150 member group who comprised of the people from the different homes for the aged, autistic children,special children etc and from all over Goa. This group had members from different age groups, young and old and even an octogenarian. This group got a and a standing ovation and a huge applause from the audience. As it was indeed a touching experiences as they sung the carol "Happy Birthday Jesus".
Another surprise to end the carol singing competition was carol singing by "the Goa College of Music" It was a splendid presentation.


First Place "St. Xaviers College", Goa

Second Place "Dempe College" , Miramar Goa

Third Place "Goa Dental College" , Goa


The Carmelites with their "Memento" of the Carol Singing Competition

Fr. Valeriano Vaz, Director Charitas

A Section of the Audience for the Carol Singing Competition

The esteemed members of the Jury seated

The Goa College of Music, Goa

The Goa College of Music, Goa

Mr. Ravi of Help and Help Charitable Trust, Goa

Dental College, Goa

Dental College, Goa

Dental College, Goa

St. Xaviers College, Goa

St. Xaviers College, Goa

Dempe College, Miramar Goa

Hotel Management

Carmel College, Nuvem Goa

Carmel College, Nuvem Goa

Ms. Roshan Gonsalves, Carmel College, Nuvem Goa

Carmel College, Nuvem Goa

Mrs. Joan Rebello of Help and Help Charitable Trust, Goa

42nd Mando festival, Goa

It was indeed a glittering start to the 42nd Mando festival organised by the Goa Cultural and Social Center in association with the Department of Art and Culture and at Dinanath Mangueshkar Auditorium in Kala Academy in Panaji which took off on 9th December, 2008 at the Kala Academy, Panjim, Goa.

The different categories in which the participants were judged were Children, teenagers, senior, dance and tradition. In all, 37 groups participated in this years Mando Festival. A point to be noted is that there has been an increase in the number of participants in the Mando festival over the past few years. This shows that Goans of this generation are here to preserve the Goan tradition and heritage of Goa as passed on to them by the art and cultural enthusiast of golden Goa of yesteryear's and "Mando" happens to be one of the very important part of our art and cultural heritage.

It was interesting to note that there were several new Goan Mando compositions. Shri. Lyndon Monteiro, vice chairman of GTDC was the chief guest for the occasion. He has assured all help and support for this dance form of Goa i.e."Mando". Shri. Pandurang Phaldessai, Member secretary of Kala Academy was the Guest of Honour.

The groups which participated on the inaugural day were as under :-

1. Children's Category : Bhurgeancho Naad, Saudik Naad and Merxechim Sobit Fulam.
2. Teenagers category :Merces Firgojecho Saad, St. Xaviers Collegicho Naad, Nuvemchim Mannkulim Motiam.
3. Original Composition: Merces Firgojecho Saad, Saudik Naad, Harmonizer's Chorus, Nuvemchim Mannka Motiam.
4. Dance Category: Merces Firgojecho Saad, Saudik Naad
5. Traditional Category: Kormonecho Saad, Saudik Naad, Nuvemchim Mannka Motiam.Harmonizer's Chorus, Merces Firgojecho Saad.

On the 10th December the rest of the Groups participated in the Mando Festival competition.

The best group award was awarded to "Harmonizers Chorous" Utorda
The list of the prize winners in their respective categories are as given under

1. Children's Category : First prize- Merxechim Sobit Fulam, Second prize-Fatordechim Fulam & third prize Naad, Saudik Naad
   
2. Teenagers category :First Prize:Merces Firgojecho Saad, Second Prize-St. Xaviers Collegicho Naad, Third prize-Vellechim Salkam
   
3. Original Composition Category: First Prize: Harmonizer's Chorus Utorda, Second Prize-Goechim Noketram, & Third prize-Mando Mogi.
   
4. Dance Category: First prize -Merces Firgojecho Saad, Second Prize - Vellechim Salkam and third prize - Saudik Naad.
5. Traditional Category: First Prize - Harmonizer's Chorus Utorda, Second Prize - Goechim Noketram & thrid prize - Merces Firgojecho Saad.
6. Senior Citizens Special Prize was bagged by: Porvorinchim Oketram
7. Original Music: First Prize - Inacio Palmeira, Second prize - Michael Graciaus & third prize - Fr. Olavo Caiada.
8. Original Lyrics: First Prize - Fr. Olavo Caiada, second prize -Inacio Palmeira, and Third prize - Michael Gracias
   

Viva - Goa, Viva- Goa, Long live Goan Mando