~Report by Gasper Crasto
Kuwait: Kuwait’s Magical Maestro Shahu Almeida was awarded ‘Most Natural Goan Musician’ during the Live & Screen show of ‘Ghonvddo’ drama held at Carmel School Hall, Khaitan on 3rd June 2016.
The Maestro was awarded at the hands of visiting artiste Seby de Divar and director Nazy Rod. The award, a glass trophy, was presented to Shahu on behalf of the Kuwait Goan community.
Speaking on the occasion after being called on stage in a surprise, the maestro said, “I have not got many awards in Kuwait though I have been playing almost every Konkani show. The applause and appreciation that I receive from the audience is itself a great award for me.”
Today, the Magical Maestro is one of the most popular Goan musicians in Kuwait and the Middle East. Hailing from Macasana - Goa, Shahu shines on his keyboards with his indispensable contribution towards the art.
Apart from playing for dramas, Shahu has his own band known as 2#Sharp.
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.
Shahu began his tryst with music drumming his way into the hearts of his school-mates at Annual School Gatherings, propelling him into the musical horizon forever. He is the alumnus of St. Francis Xavier High 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 revealed 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. Shahu’s 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 hit 'Tujem Nanv Vhodd zaum' which was staged all over in the Middle East and in Goa.
Shahu has toured London, 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, besides other directors in Kuwait.
He also did a short musical stint playing live music at Dubai's famous Viva Goa restaurant.
Shahu has 3 successful DVDs to his credit entitled ‘Musician (2010), ‘Tiatrist’ (2012) and ‘Hea Music-ak Lagon’ (2014) which had remarkable success, liked and appreciated by many across the Konkan world. His music is engaged for various audio/video albums as well.
Popular as he is, the humble musician is a down to earth person and plays regularly for the 8 o'clock choir at Kuwait's Holy Family Cathedral.
The Maestro is happily married to Clemmie and has 2 kids.