HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMA MARY

Over the past nine days, my kids along with around a hundred others have been attending the Marian Nativity Novena at our parish in Chembur and preparing to celebrate the birthday of Mother Mary which is celebrated today - 8th September. 

Devotions to our Blessed Mother started for me at an early age. Growing up in a parish dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour and studying in a school with the same name surely helped. Also the daily Rosary at home was an absolute must - encouraged by God-fearing parents and grandmothers. 

As a teenager, I was introduced to an active church association dedicated to Mother Mary - called the Legion of Mary (Legio Mariae). Over the next decade or so, the devotion grew along with leadership skills as I took on various roles of responsibility within the Legion. Taking a cue from the role Mother Mary played in life of Jesus and others, we too were called on to be alert to the needs of those around us and to respond to those needs with love care and compassion as only Momma Mary could.

That song just came into my head this morning with the picture of a vibrant priest who was responsible for some of the best holidays we had as a family during my teen years. Fr. Robin Selwyn used to run Family Camps in the Jesuit 'St. Mary's Villa' at Khandala. A fantastic singer and guitarist, he could sing almost anything - from contemplative melodies to frivolous party songs - in his on inimitable style. Another Marian favorite that I recall him sing is the song made famous by the Beatles - Let It Be. While the original is played on the piano by Paul McCartney, I particularly like this version I found earlier today with Alicia Keys and John Legend. 

"A song that that comforted generations with it's beauty and message" - has the comforter in the person of Mother Mary who played the comforting role in God's eternal plan for salvation. Her role did not end 2000 years ago, but she still continues to be that comfort in the heavenly role as Queen and Mother... a look at the the crowds that throng to Mount Mary's -Bandra and St. Michael's Church - Mahim in Mumbai and the host of Marian Shrines in Vailankanni, Fatima, Lourdes and everywhere else is only testimony of how powerful her intercession can be. We all are blessed to have Mother Mary as our mother - and be happy to let her - Be With Us, Mary...

HAPPY FEAST

to one and all

HAPPY TEACHERS DAY

Teaching is the one profession...

that creates all other professions

I'm happy and proud to have an association with the teaching profession - as a Catechist in my parish, and as Guest Faculty at a host of premier Business Schools in Mumbai and Pune. 

Every day of our life, there is something new to learn. And hopefully there is someone there to teach it... 

I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing - but for now I'm content with teaching them to play music. Just started keyboard lessons with a couple of students... and the third music student is my own child - yes, don't you have to Teach Your Children.

What's your favourite song about TEACHING or TEACHERS?

Mother Teresa - Model of Mercy

Today is a day of great significance for the Catholic Community in India. And there has been a lot of content circulating across the Facebook and WhatsApp in the run-up to the day. Yes, a few hours ago, Mother Teresa was canonized as a Saint. India has yet another saint to pray and intercede for us - a very merciful one at that.

As I write this post, there is a concert going on at the Tata Theatre (NCPA Mumbai) organized by the Stop-Gaps Cultural Academy to pay tribute to this model of mercy who picked people from the gutters and cared for them. She established the "Missionaries of Charity" in Kolkota - and spread to the ends of the world to spread peace and love, comfort and mercy to all. 

Among the choirs performing at the concert are the Stop-Gaps Choral Ensemble conducted by Alfred D'Souza. Alfred D'Souza is also behind the combined choirs of St. Peters Church - Bandra and Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church - Chembur. Alfred has dedicated over 30 years now - quite a few relatives and friends have been part of the StopGaps - some of them still are...

Also performing at the 'Teach Us to Love' concert is the Victory Chorus Line - the choir (chorus) from Our Lady of Victories - Mahim conducted by Karen D'Lima. I've known Karen since my college days when I used to cover the Malhar (The St. Xaviers Mumbai college festival) for All India Radio - where she used to sweep a whole lot of prizes. Besides the music she's also gaining accolades for her work as a graphic designer - the canonization logo having been designed by her. This song would surely be part of their repertoire for the evening - Angel of Mercy.

Also from Mahim is the great Konkani singer and actor of yesteryear - Alfred Rose (1932 -2003). I recall his name vividly from my childhood days, where every Konkani drama that I ever heard of had his name on the advertisements. His son - Engelbert- is also a force to reckon with in the music circles. Performed alongside him at numerous shows over the past 20 years or so. The frontman for Rockin' Marmalade is also an active member of the Mumbai Comperes Inc. - an association of comperes who emcee at weddings and corporate events in Mumbai through to Goa and Mangalore. I'm it it as well.   

Here's Alfred Rose with this Konkani tribute to Mother Teresa.

The sweet sound of Konkani -  can't get enough of it... Came across this Konkani tribute posted by a friend on WhatsApp. Mother Teresa by the Zeemix Trio

One singer who has performed on the Konkani stage made it big with Bollywood in the 70s with 1-2-Cha-Cha-Cha and numerous other songs in her inimitable style. Usha Uthup is said to have been a supporter of the Missionaries of Charity - and supposedly received invitations for the canonization from the Missionaries of Charity and the Vatican as well. She was also scheduled to perform at St. Peter's Square last night. 

From the languge singer, here's her tribute in Bangla (Bengali) - the local language of Kolkota (Calcutta) the home of the Missionaries of Charity... 

Laakh Laakh, Hazaar Hazaar, Chahiye Mother Teresa - Usha Uthup

To sign off this post, I'll leave you with the Canonization Song.

Canonization Song of Mother Teresa - Usha Uthup

P.S. I just saw a post on my WhatsApp groups offering a special grace when invoking India's most recent saint - St. Teresa of Calcutta - from midnight today till tomorrow. So let's take advantage of this special 'Window of Grace'

St. Teresa of Calcutta - Pray for us

The First of September

Time flies... and we already in September... A month of changes.... A month of feasts and celebrations... and lots more... and a month of birthdays... generally a month to look forward to... Come September

Among the birthdays today, is my younger sister who used to co-croon with me in the mid 90s. And this song by a Latino singer who celebrates a #FamousBirthday today was part of our set...

Gloria Estefan - Turn The Beat Around

Did you enjoy all those beats... The beat of the drum... It's also the birthday of the first ever drummer that I encountered (a classmate of mine in school - Lincoln), who's been playing a lot of the drums all these years. 

The first Gloria Estefan music I heard made big waves in India having been the inspiration of a Hindi movie song that contributed to making 'Tridev' a blockbuster in 1989. The song Rhythm's Gonna Get You.

Gloria Estefan used to perform with Miami Sound Machine - a band formed by husband Emilio Estefan Jr as part of the Miami Sound Machine.

My sis also did a mean falsetto imitation. Not surprising considering she shares her birthday with one of the world's best falsetto. For the uninitiated, falsetto is the unusually high-pitched sound that has been a characteristic of the BeeGees that you hear in Stayin' Alive. 

Barry Gibb - at 70 today is the only surviving member of the BeeGees (after the demise of brothers Maurice and Robin). He will soon be releasing his his solo album 'In the Now' again a family effort. Report say that the 12 tracks on the album are co-written with sons Stephen and Ashley (for more info, check out this video report)

Check out more #MusicalBirthday for regular updates on Birthdays in the music industry. I'll leave you with one of my favorites from the BeeGees collections - this one live... How Deep Is Your Love.

Chak De India...Rashtriya Khel Divas

The Olympics just ended last week and the Indian contingent including the medal winners - Sakshi Malik and P.V. Sindhu - have come back to a warm welcome. Also gaining accolades are the 'Produnova' girl Dipa Karmakar and shooter Abhinav Bindra who came so close.

Over the last month, the social networks have been hyperactive with discussion regarding sports in the country - from congratulations to criticisms of sports personnel, officials, administrators and even socialites and general public. 

Today India celebrates sport in a special way as we observe the birth anniversary of one of the country's leading hockey players who led India to Gold medals in three consecutive Olympic Games - in 1928, 1932 and 1936. 

Growing up we've played cricket, hockey, football, kabaddi, kho-kho, badminton, table tennis in the neighbourhood and at the summer camp.  We even participated in tournaments organised in our society and sometimes were part of the winning teams. I've played baseball a couple of time at the Family camp we used to attend at Khandala. I've tried tennis during one of my vacation job stints staying at Matheran. I've studied at a school (OLPS) that has produced sportspersons like Austin Coutinho and his protege Aditya Tare. My college (R.A. Podar) has been famous for successful cricketers it produced including Ravi Shastri and Sanjay Manjrekar. But one sportsperson I've known personally was this girl who stayed just a block down my road who has been captain of the Indian Womens Hockey team - Sybil D'mello (now Miranda). And the mention of Indian hockey, especially womens, reminds me of 'Chak De India'

Nowadays, I have a renewed interest in sport thanks to the interest of my son in Football and the weekly training schedules he attends in School under the guidance of the coaching team led by Mr. Phil D'Cruz. I also get a daily dose of sport from Austin Coutinho's Cartoon Page.

Austin who studied in the same school as me is among the most knowledgeable sports journalist that I may ever have in my circle... He's been a regular on FirstPost where he covers a wide range of sports. However, having been a fast bowler of repute in the Mumbai club circuits in his time he has a special flavour for cricket. They are lots and lots of cricket movies in India, but no one would ever forget Lagaan.

Following the success of the Indian Premier League, another League has been gaining in popularity over the past three years - the Indian Super League. Managed to get passes from a friend for an ISL game between Mumbai and Pune last year... and was a thorough enjoyment to take my kids and their friends for the game. I also enjoyed watching two particular football movies - one from Bollywood - Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal , and the other from Gurinder Chadha - Bend It Like Beckham.

While team sports are what we all enjoy participating in, there are more challenges in individual performances. And an athlete who has made India proud by a Olympian who recently had a film honouring him - Milkha Singh - Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.

Another athlete who has got recognition from Bollywood has been the steeplechaser Paan Singh Tomar.  

To end this post on a lighter note, there was this joke going around when Sindhu won the silver medal in the recent Olympics. It said that this man (or rather movie) should be given the credit for India's performance in badminton for attracting people to the sport. The movie is Humjoli and the man - Jeetu.

A Stream of Birthdays... Family and Friends

How many friends telephone numbers can you recall at the top of your head?

Remember the days when our brains used to store large volumes of data in it - telephone numbers and birthdays... Now you don't need to remember all these things - thanks to the SmartPhone....

Yes... Every morning I get a reminder on the list of friends who celebrate their birthdays today... and today the list had way more names than usual... including some that I would not need a reminder on.. including one that I dare not forget!!!

Last year on the wife's birthday, this blog included a post - Who is He...or She? of a couple of singers that share the same birthday... you'll have to read it to know who...

My wife is a singer as well... and over the last year has been nurturing the talent with active involvement in the parish Konkani choir. A couple of months ago, she got together a group of neighbours to put up an event at the Parish Feast... a series of Konkani songs. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTEL

While on Konkani songs and birthdays, I remember an elder cousin - Deena - who lived with us  for a few years back in the '70s. In those days before TV programming, there were occasions when we would be entrusted to her care... and entertainment. This is one of the songs that she used to sing... Mujhi Mummy (Kaun Bha Thi).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEENA

Emceed the Silver Wedding of a Goan couple recently, and the second song for the evening was a favorite from one of the greatest Konkani films ever made - Amchi Noxib... The song Moubailo Duo.

In attendance at that party was the husband-wife duo that's been giving most Mumbai live performers - solos, duos or full bands - a run for their money. Heard their name mentioned on many occasions as a major competitor in the Mumbai music circles. All those who know them would agree... and if you look at their Facebook page, you can't miss some of their extremely loyal fans from around the world - #MichaelnSunita


Birthday boy Michael is an extremely talented singer having sung with Mumbai's hottest venues - including the Taj and Oberoi for many years. He's got a fantastic sense of humour and has the audience thoroughly entertained with the great vocals interspersed with anecdotes. He knows how to get the crowd on the dance floor and keep them just there. Providing the music and harmony is Sunita playing the keyboards and crooning along all the female tracks of the day. I've known her for years having sung in the same Wedding Mass choir in the late 80s, and competed with her and her sis (Sharmila) in the solo and group events at inter-college competitions including Malhar and Bombay University YouthFest.
Happy Birthday Michael... Let The Music Flow...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL

More Konkani Music reviews on future posts coming up.... Stay tuned... Better still, get the post directly into your inbox... just subscribe to the feed here.

Bhai Behen Ka Pyar

Enjoyed a bonus holiday today - in celebration of Raksha Bandhan - a festival of filial love and protection. Remembered and reread my post from this day last year - Hey Sister.

Spent last evening with the only sibling we have in Mumbai - my wife's brother and his family. We recalled our growing years and remembered special moments in growing up. 

Being a holiday, I woke up a little later than usual and decided to put together a homemade breakfast. The menu - plain parathas, or what we call 'breakfast chapatis'. The dough was perfectly kneaded and the end result was exactly as I have remembered as a child and in more recent times - when Mum and Dad put their hands together to serve us this traditional meal.

Though the day, and especially at Mass this evening, I was connected in a strange way to my brother and sisters in Auckland and Ontario. It was a day of special meaning for all of us - a day that will always connect us as a family, no matter how far we are. As we observed the Second Death Anniversary of my Dad, there was a host of memories of him that were shared over Facebook - some of the most touching ones being from his sisters. 

So as I wind up on this day, there is just one song that comes to my mind... an old song by The Hollies - that connects the festival today to the one person I owe my music to - Dad to me... but a Brother to many... Good night.