J P Pereira
The Konkani stage lost another stalwart in the form of Josinho D’Souza, a top saxophonist who played for tiatrs for several years.
One can still picture him leading the band for many tiatr directors. Artistes say he was one of the most patient music directors who put up with their many mistakes.
Josinho Souza was born to Caetano Piedade Souza and Luizinha Filomena Luis on July 15, 1941. He was from Velim and the love for music was instilled in him at a very young age. His father was a musician and Josinho learnt music beginning with the clarinet. Later he was also the choir master at the church in Velim and formed the AVC Pops, one of the big bands in the good old days when a trumpet and saxophone played major roles.
josinho played for numerous shows and enthralled tiatr audiences in Goa, various places in India, the Gulf and London. He has provided musical renditions for leading artistes of the Konkani stage as well as others. His own album was titled ‘Mhozo Anvddo’ and was a collection of six instrumentals and six Konkani songs. Goan music featured in two instrumentals, especially the last one which was a beautiful medley of the dekhnni and other Goan folk songs. The title song that was rendered by Josinho told of his longing – he wanted Goan youngsters to learn music with emphasis on wind instruments. There were very few youngsters playing wind instruments in those days and he must have been pleased to know that many have taken up the trumpet and saxophone now. ‘Ek Uzvadd Tum’ and ‘Tum Ani Hanv Mellonk’ are albums for which he provided music.
In 1996 Josinho was presented the then prestigious Gulab award. Besides this he was also a recipient of the Goa State Cultural Award for music and the prize for Best Music Director at the Kala Academy Tiatr Competition for ‘Rater’ a tiatr by Danny de Ribandar. There were many other awards and felicitations including the Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) award for contribution to the Konkani stage.