By Gasper Crasto
Kuwait, Sept 26, 2008: In recent years, a wide range of skilled ensembles have helped raise the profile of Goan music both nationally and internationally.
Amongst the contemporary big names of musicians, the name of Francis Almeida, popularly known as Shahu hailing from Macasana - Goa, shines amongst the stellar bracket of Goa's top-notch musicians with his indispensable contribution towards the art.
Shahu may be recognized more in the genre of dramas. But behind his simplicity, is the unmistakable halo of his talent as a star musician of Goan bands. With his past penchant and passion for innovative, brilliant music, Shahu has teamed up with Clevie Fernandes – a young Goan crooner from Bombay (born in Kuwait), to continue on what he loves to do best – hypnotize his listeners to a magical sway.
Clevie, whose parental home is in Raia - Goa, has been a fan of Shahu right from childhood days. He was a member of Funky Heads, the famous event organizers in Goa where he was involved in hosting mega programs like Channel 'V' Live, Bacardi Blast annuals, Radio Mirch, etc.
"Playing dance and party music is much simpler for me," reveals Shahu, "Unlike in dramas where I have to play complex tunes, playing pop and party music demands minimum of efforts because I know what exactly I am going to play. Ofcourse we practice a lot and we are armed with the latest tracks of rock, pop, reggae, rhetro-pop and remixes of Hindi and Goan medleys."
As noticed live, 2..SHARP's music spans a broad range of harmonies, from Goan and foreign-inspired music to more modern trends with mixtures of genres and ethnic elements. 2..SHARP have already done a number of shows. They have played alongside Goa's topmost band Forefront and other local bands.
Few however know that Shahu, a dynamic talent with his keyboard, began his tryst with music drumming his way into the hearts of his school-mates at his school's Annual Gatherings, propelling him into the musical horizon forever. He is the alumnus of St. Francis Xavier H. School Macazana and Guardian Angel College, Sanvordem.
Evolving into an ace drummer, he had the rare and splendid opportunity of honing his musical skills under the baton of Chris Perry, the eternal icon and consummate genius of Goan music and playing alongside his son Errol Perry. With music flowing in his veins, his drum beats reverberated in many well-known Goan bands of the nineties such as 'Ultimate', 'Magic Touch', 'The News', 'Human Status', 'Black Lace', etc, to name a few. Shahu disclosed that he played in over 1000 weddings as a drummer with these groups.
But it was his evolution into a keyboardist that shot him into instant fame. Interestingly, Shahu switched over to the keyboards not on his own volition but at the suggestion of Fr. Livio D'Mello under whose cudgel he played for the choir at St. Francis Xavier's church, Macasana. From then on there was no looking back.
Shahu has indeed come a long way with his association with music spanning over a decade. His musical creativity was elevated further after his arrival in Kuwait in October 1999. He began with a bang in Kuwait-based director Jose Rod's unmatched broadway hit 'Tujem Nanv Vhodd zaum' which was staged all over the Middle East and back home in Goa.
Shahu has also played in Muscat, Doha, Bahrain, Bangalore, Darjeeling, etc, and performed for top directors such as Prem Kumar, Roseferns, Jacob, Menino de Bandar, Pascoal Rodrigues, C.D. Silva, John D' Silva, Ben Evangelist, Rosario Rodrigues, etc, apart from all the directors in Kuwait. He also did a short musical stint playing live music at Dubai's famous Viva Goa restaurant.
Speaking on his experience and performance Shahu said, "I used to enjoy playing at the Rock Greenal annual musical show at Curtorim."
Shahu says his most challenging one-man performance was in Mini Mario's 'Kiteak Ho Bazar Cholta?' staged in Kuwait in April 2007. "I had to pick-up the notes on the troupe's arrival on the morning of the show and I can proudly say that I played to perfection without proper rehearsals," Says Shahu, further adding, "with musical notes handy, I can play non stop music for over 8 hours.
Shahu can be aptly described as a consummate artist with an alluring passion and drive for music. Undoubtedly his heart thumps 'musical' beats, for when it comes to music he is simply indefatigable, endowed with an amazing genius -- coupled with a prodigious memory for music.
Shahu reached the highpoint of his career when he was roped in as a music composer by the doyen of Konkani stage, the legendary Rosario Rodrigues wherein his captivating rhythm set aflame many of the unforgettable hits like 'Hanv Kallukant Sandlim' where Shahu pioneered the unique 'one man band' concept providing the entire spectrum of music on a single keyboard! Under the ace director's able tutelage Shahu had a free rein toying with refreshing, innovative ideas which enabled him to break new grounds by pushing hard the frontiers of Goan music.
With sky being the limit, Shahu went on to produce innumerable chart busting scores for numerous hit dramas and musicals which gained him popularity of a household name.
Music apart, Shahu is an intensely endearing and an adorable human being who attaches great value to friendships and family ties. Blessed with a wonderful wife and a cherubic son named Aerosmith, and a daughter born on August 31, 2008, Shahu is a devoted husband, a doting father and a dutiful son.
Sensitive and devout to the core, Shahu faithfully plays for the Holy Family Cathedral Church choir (Kuwait) for the 8.00 a.m mass every Friday since 1999. Time and experience have greatly enriched his remarkable musical abilities and today Shahu continues to add increasing complexity and refinement to his astounding gift of music which is sure to hold the audience in a thrall for years to come!