M’loreans bid adieu to legend
Shimoga Bishop, Mangalore Bishop lead the funeral mass
Thousands of fans and well-wishers, irrespective of caste, creed and religion thronged to St Joseph’s seminary on Thursday to pay their last respects to the legendary Konkani musician, ‘Konkan Kogull’ Wilfy Rebimbus.
As soon as the mortal remains of the great musician was brought to the Seminary premises at 2 pm, members of the public rushed to the venue to have a glimpse of their revered hero. In fact, tears rolled down the cheeks of a number of people while many others mourned the death of the legend, silently.
Nearly 100 priests offered the funeral mass which was led by Mangalore Diocesan Bishop Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza. Shimoga Diocesan Bhishop Rev Gerald Lobo, Vicar General Rev Fr Denis Moras Prabhu and a number of senior priests took part in the ceremony.
Offering a tribute to Wilfy Rebimbus on behalf of the Mangalore Diocese, Bishop Rev Dr Aloysius D’Souza said that though the ‘golden voice’ has ceased, he would continue to be an inspiration for hundreds of musicians. “If Konkani has become rich in music, its only because of Wilfy Rebimbus,” the Bishop said and added that he grew up listening to the songs of Wilfy. Stating that Wilfy loved his voice more than his life, the Bishop said Wilfy lived in every family through his songs and was a role model for Christians.
While Jeppu Parish Priest Rev Fr Andrew D’Souza sang a song as a tribute, Dr Edward Nazreth remembered the musician cum litterateur’s ability to pen down contents of a novel in 12 to 16 lines which pricked the conscious of every public who listened to Wilfy’s immortal songs.
Narrating Wilfy’s concern for artistes, Dr Nazreth said that everytime an artiste was hospitalised (at Fr Muller hospital), Wilfy used to call him and enquire the health of the artistes.
‘A mirror of society’
It was Fr Denis D’Sa’s words which moved every person present at the funereal. Amply quoting Wilfy’s songs, Fr D’Sa termed Wilfy as ‘a prophet,’ ‘a mirror of society’ and ‘unordained priest.’
“Perhaps there is no topic which Wilfy has not touched upon,” Fr D’Sa said and added that the constructive criticism by Wilfy through his songs was well received by one and all including the priests and the laity.
As he sang two lines of Wilfy’s one of the popular songs (Philomena)... Aadevs tuka.... Aadevs tuka... Wilfy baba (adieu to you, adieu to you, Wilfy), at the end of his tribute, Fr D’Sa’s voice trembled and he was speechless.
Same was the case with hundreds of mourners who bid adieu to the King of Konkani music, who gained an iconic status because of his soulful singing.
Lesli Rego, a member of ‘United Youngsters,’ founded by Wilfy Rebimbus among others 50 years ago, too broke down and said there can not be another Wilfy.
“If possible, please born again and come to this world,” he said.
As the sun started to set, thousands of people went in a procession to the Jeppu cemetery where the mortal reamains of the legend were laid to rest.
Mourners abroad
As Mangaloreans are spread across the world, Wilfy Rebimbus has fans all over the world. In fact, daijiworld.com, the local website which telecast live the last journey of the legend, received over 1,200 comments in a matter of few hours from the nook and corner of the world.
