By Gasper Crasto
Kuwait: Few people leave a lasting impression on others, and even fewer have the chance to truly impact people.
Rosary Ferns, who died an untimely death on 12th January 2011 while on holidays in Goa, left a permanent legacy and will be remembered for a long, long time for his contribution towards drama and art in the form of VCDs, CDs and cassettes. Konkan people who were fortunate enough to see Rosary Ferns on stage will perhaps never ever see another star of his calibre – a great playwright, philosophical composer and singer.
A well-known Konkani star, Rosary Ferns hailing from Colva, Salcete, Goa came to Kuwait in 1985 and since then he worked for Kuwait Danish Dairy Company.
As a person, Rosary was a thorough gentleman, decent and upright in his behavior maintaining all the high attributes he learnt in his family. He leaves behind his beloved wife Cassilda, two sons Cynan and Cullen, his dearly-loved mother, three sisters and two brothers.
Rosary has been, in his own way, instrumental in improving the overall standard of tiatr and took the Konkani art to new heights. His death is definitely a big loss to Goans and will leave a vacuum in the field of tiatr that will be hard to fill for a long, long time to come.
Rosary was one of the best tiatro writers and directors and during his 25 years in Kuwait, he staged 12 tiatros some of them for the cause of charity. Many associations in Kuwait staged his tiatros. One of the tiatro was staged by Colva United Centre and the entire profit was utilized to build the Colva church hall back home in Goa.
In all, Rosary wrote and directed 21 full-fledged Konkani Tiatros. Some of his masterpieces include ‘Mhojem Dusrem Ghor’ (My second home), ‘Tumkam Lagon Jielom’ (I lived for you), ‘Sukh Khuim Asa’ (Where is Happiness), ‘Bhurgim Mai Paichem Sukh’ (Children, a joy of parents), ‘Devachea Marak Avaz Nam’ (Justice of the Almighty reigns Silent) ‘Ghor Bandlem Ghorabo Moddlo’ (Built a house, broke a home), etc.
Rosary was gifted in writing tragic stories and his forte lied in composing tragic 'cantos'. Among the expatriate tiatrists Rosary Ferns was the only person who was known to be a great composer of traditional 'Mandos'. Some of his golden, original Mandos feature in his Audio albums.
The eminent artiste had his first professional break in his fellow villager’s drama. Goan stage great C.D Silva on seeing the immense singing potential of Rosary booked him for his show ‘Kalliz’. Rosary was in the 7th standard at that time studying at Infant Jesus High School, Colva.
Rosary was later enrolled in St. Anthony’s High School, Majorda, and stayed at his sister’s place at Velsao. Though uprooted from his tiatrical friends and surroundings, he built a ‘tiatrical’ community wherever he went, Velsao was no exception. Here too, he staged a tiatr. This tiatr created a record of sorts as it turned out to be the first ‘All Ladies Show’. The Tiatr was staged all over Goa in 1980.
Rosary created history yet again when his Konkani Drama "Kuwait Soddun Vetana" was staged in Kuwait by the Mangalorean Konkani community in a Mangalorean dialect in the year 2009. The original drama was in Goan Roman Konkani which was well received by the Goan audience as one of the classic masterpieces of the great writer.
A very humble and soft spoken person, Rosary Ferns strived through Konkani stage and cultural programs to bring about fusion of all the Konkani speaking people in Kuwait, Mangalorean and Goans in particular. In the past, he wrote and directed Songit Sanz under Kuwait Konknni Kendr.
Rosary also encouraged and promoted young and budding artistes and developed them into full fledged artistes.
Rosary Ferns is on record to have staged more Tiatros in Kuwait than any other artiste and all of his tiatros have been well attended and appreciated by the audience. In fact in Kuwait, he created a special and very precious niche for himself among the audience. For this reason his tiatros were handsomely attended not just by Goans but also Mangaloreans and other Konkani speaking people.
In August 2005, for his enormous contribution in the promotion of Konkani Songit Kala, Rosary Ferns was honored by the Mangalorean Association Konkani Kulvar, Kuwait. He was also felicitated by Kala Mogui Kuwait (KMK) in 2010 at the hands of the Indian Ambassador to Kuwait.
Besides tiatrs, Rosary wrote a number of One Act Plays, Operettas, Mandos & Dulpods and countless songs. As a matter of interest Rosary was the first person in the history of Goan-Konkani world to produce the first CD of songs which was made in Kuwait. In all, Rosary has produced 13 Konkani Albums in the form of Audio Cassettes & CDs. ‘Kuwaitche Dinar’ (Dinars of Kuwait), ‘Raag’ (Anger), etc, were some of his famous CDs.
He was known for his powerful solos with a message of good morals, upholding religious doctrines and beliefs.
Rosary’s last Album 'Dinaracho Valor' (The value of Dinar) was his last Audio CD. Additionally, he produced 2 VCDs 'Kanvllo Roddlo Lozen' (The Crow cried in Shame) and 'Mogan Tujea Lasota' (Burning in your Love).
Incidentally, at the time he breathed his last, Rosary was working on a video album entitled ‘Thank You Kuwait” which was later released by his brother Fidelis Fernandes in September 2011.
:::Kuwait Pays Tribute to Rosary Ferns:::
=======================================
Kuwait Konkani Kendr (KKK) organized a condolence assembly on Wednesday 17th February 2011 at Village Inn, Kuwait City to pay homage to the star who spent much of his life in Kuwait.Well-known Goan writer and social activist Veronica Fernandes conducted the meeting which was attended by invited guests from the Goan and Mangalorean communities.
Prominent Konkani stage artistes Mendes Brothers namely Felix – Xavier – Derek, who acted in the shows directed by Rosary Ferns and who always admired Rosary for his Tiatro skills, were among the crowd along with other significant personalities. Luis Cardoso, Vice President and one of the pillars of KKK, a great lover of Konkani and Goa was also present.
KKK Gen. Secretary Mario Rebello, a leader of Konkani movement in Kuwait contributing immensely for the cause of Konkani, commenced the gathering with a short prayer.
In his emotional speech, Veronica Fernandes, one of the living encyclopedias on tiatr, enlightened the audience on the greatness of Rosary Ferns with numerous quotes. “We have lost a great Goan personality, famous for his remarkable dramas, a ‘wisdomatic’ composer, and a singer of immense talent,” stated Veronica.
It should be noted Rosary’s last drama ‘Kuwait Soddun Vetana’ (Whilst Leaving Kuwait) was staged both by the Goan and Mangalorean Community.
Veronica described his close association with Rosary Ferns and sang a heartrending ‘Motet’ accompanied by musician Aggie D’Silva on the clarinet, which welled the eyes of many bringing recollections of this conventional composition usually sung during the lent season. As per Veronica, this was the best item of his repertoire liked by Rosary.
Veronica later declared that “Rosary’s loss was not just for Goans, but for the entire Konkan community.”
Gulf Goans E-Newsletters moderator Gasper Almeida summarized his observations about Rosary Ferns over the last two decades stressing that one should not forget the journalistic objectivity, while reporting or getting the issues focused. “I must admit that I’am in awe of Rosary Ferns. He was a man with unlimited energy and a generosity of spirit able to withstand all kind of attacks, criticisms and prejudices with a smile and an open mind. He had no comments, no ill feelings, no rhymes nor lyrics on anyone. I have had the pleasure of meeting Rosary Ferns and interacting with him on many occasions.”
“We have lost him, but his songs and works on the Konkani stage will last forever,” he concluded whilst announcing a message by goa-world.com founder Ulysses Menezes dedicating a Glorious Singers’ Section on the online www.goa-world.com radio station in remembrance of Rosary’s contribution towards Goa and the Konkani language in general.
Fidelis Fernandes, brother of Rosary, spoke on the life of the beloved icon terming Rosary’s birth into this world as a miraculous phenomenon and his life a ‘pride to the family’. “Rosary was born with stagecraft in his blood. His birth was rather miraculous. Doctors had informed my father that due to pregnancy complications, there was little or no chance of his survival, but the power of prayers overcame medical limitations and my mother delivered a healthy baby boy on 16th August 1962, whom they named Rosary Menino in gratitude of the intercession of Mother Mary and Menino Jesus at the time of delivery,” disclosed Fidelis in a voice choked with emotions. He further added, “Tiatro to Rosary was in the blood. Rosary started acting, writing tiatros, one act plays, composing and singing songs at the age of 12.”
Peter Fernandes, other brother of Rosary was also present.
A close admirer of Rosary Ferns, Fr. Melvin D’Cunha, former Vicar of Holy Family Cathedral and on a visit to Kuwait, said, “Rosary’s life was a lesson for all to disclose god-given talents to the world.”
Lawry Pinto highlighted the significance of Rosary Ferns among the Mangalorean community. He said, “Rosary was the bridge between Mangaloreans and Goans which helped to bring the two Konkan communities together in friendship.”
Ms Ida D’Silva underlined Rosary’s contribution to the Konkani world adding “Rosary’s works will remain forever immortal.”
Raymond D’Sa, a special guest on the occasion expressed his condolences to Rosary’s family, and revealed his appreciation towards KKK for organizing the event to pay homage to the celebrated artiste.
Tony Gonsalves, Salvador Dias, Gasper Crasto, etc, were the others who spoke on the occasion.
An audio and video presentation of Rosary’s songs was played to the gathering which brought fond memories of the much-loved star.
Veronica Fernandes concluded the function acknowledging everyone’s presence and praying Eternal Rest to the departed soul.