Wikipedia

Maestro Josinho

Josinho D'Souza (Goan Konkani: Juzinho; né Souza; 15 July 1941 – 8 May 2017), known professionally as Maestro Josinho, was an Indian saxophonist and playwright who worked on the Konkani stage. Described by The Navhind Times as a leading saxophonist in tiatrs, D'Souza is regarded as one of the stalwarts of the Konkani stage. Throughout his career spanning over five decades, his music has been featured in approximately 3000 tiatrs and 250 audio cassettes.

Maestro Josinho
D'Souza in an undated photo released by Tiatr Academy of Goa in 2012
Born
Josinho Souza

(1941-07-15)15 July 1941
Velim, Goa, Portuguese India, Portuguese Empire (now in India)
Died8 May 2017(2017-05-08) (aged 75)
Velim, Goa, India
NationalityIndian
Other names
  • Juzinho
  • Josinho de Velim
Occupations
  • Saxophonist
  • playwright
Years active1965–c. 2010
Awards
    • All India Radio "Star of the Month" (2005)
    • TAG's "Lifetime Contribution to Tiatr Award" (2011)
Musical career
OriginVelim, South Goa
Instruments
Member ofAVC Pops

Early life edit

Josinho D'Souza, originally named Josinho Souza, was born on 15 July 1941, in Velim, Goa, which was then part of Portuguese India under the Portuguese Empire. His parents were Caetano Piedade Souza, a musician, and Luizinha Filomena Luis. Growing up in Zaino-Velim, D'Souza developed a deep passion for music from a tender age.[1]

D'Souza held the position of choirmaster at the St Roque Church in Tollecanto.[1][2] During the golden phase of tiatr (1961–1970s),[3] he played a pivotal role in establishing the AVC Pops, a prominent big band. The band's repertoire prominently featured the trumpet and saxophone.[1]

The St Roque Church, in its earlier form, featured an architectural ensemble that included a portico and a baptistry that also served as a reconciliation chapel. This space was utilized as an educational institution, offering instruction in various disciplines such as language, music, and entrepreneurship. The administration of this educational endeavor was entrusted to D'Souza along with Father Teles, from the Handmaids of Christ, as well as instructors named Nicholau, and Abraham.[2]

Career edit

D'Souza embarked on his musical journey at the age of 13 by learning to play the clarinet. In the year 1965, he established his own band called AVC Pops. Subsequently, from 1966 to 1970, D'Souza dedicated himself in teaching music at St. Rock's High School in Tollecanto. Throughout his career, D'Souza's musical prowess extended to approximately 3000 tiatrs, which were performed across various regions in India, as well as in Gulf countries and London.[4]

 
St. Rock's High School, 2016

D'Souza's involvement in the tiatr industry extended beyond live musical performances. He also made contributions in the design and operation of background music for various tiatrs. Some of the tiatrs in which he showcased his musical talents include "Patok" (Sin), "Ghatki Bhoinn" (Traitor Sister), "Sucorina", "Duddu ani Ginean" (Money and Sense), "Sonvsarant Astana Diat", and "Ostori" (Woman). Furthermore, he lent his musical expertise to approximately 230 audio cassettes. Beyond his work as a musician, D'Souza also made contributions as a playwright, having written three tiatrs: "Mai Paiche Dekhik Lagon", "Angovnnecho Put", and "Toddoki Pai".[4]

D'Souza released his album titled "Mhozo Anvddo". The album consisted of a collection of six instrumental tracks and six Konkani songs. Within the instrumental tracks, Goan music was prominently featured, particularly in the final piece, which incorporated a medley of dekhnni and other Goan folk songs. The titular song, performed by D'Souza himself, expressed his yearning for Goan youth to embrace music education, with a specific emphasis on wind instruments. During that era, there were only a limited number of young musicians proficient in wind instruments. Additionally, D'Souza contributed his musical talents to the albums "Ek Uzvadd Tum" and "Tum Ani Hanv Mellonk".[1]

D'Souza, during an interview in Bombay (now Mumbai), crossed paths with Domingos Santano Rodrigues, professionally known as Dominic de Arambol, when he made his journey back to Goa from Bombay in 1989 after the passing of his father. The interview brought together approximately 72 musicians from various parts of India for an audition. Out of this group, only 13 individuals, including Rodrigues, were chosen for further opportunities.[5]

In subsequent years, D'Souza and Rodrigues collaborated on numerous musical performances, making contributions to the field of music. Their combined efforts resulted in the creation of nearly 250 audio cassettes. However, the duo eventually decided to go their separate ways. Rodrigues then joined Menino de Bandar's troupe, where he performed for a decade. Subsequently, he became a member of Prince Jacob's troupe, where he showcased his talent for 10 years and 4 months.[5]

Awards edit

In 2005, D'Souza was honored as the Star of the Month by All India Radio. Throughout his career, D'Souza received numerous accolades which include the Gulab Award in 1996, the Culture Overseas Best Music Award in 2002 in Kuwait, and the first prize for music in the tiatr "Rater" in 2003. In further recognition of his achievements, D'Souza was bestowed with the Goa State Cultural Award in 2008, the Dr Jack Sequeira Award in 2009, and the TAG's Lifetime Contribution to Tiatr Award in 2011.[4]

Death edit

On 8 May 2017, D'Souza died at his residence in Zaino-Velim, at the age of 75.[6] The Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG), representing the community of tiatr artists and enthusiasts, expressed its condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the family.[4]

Selected stage works edit

Year Title Role Notes Ref
1982 Ostori Musician [4][7]
1984 Sucorina Musician [4][8]
2003 Rater Musician [4]
2004 Almanchea Disa Musician [9]
2007 Goodbye London Musician [10]
2008 Hi Maim Konnachi Musician [11]
Hevui Chukik Bhogsonnem Nam Musician [12][13]
Hevui Chukik Bhogsonnem Assa – Part II Musician [13]
Ghatki Bhoinn Musician [4]
Duddu ani Ginean Musician
Sonvsarant Astana Diat Musician
Mai Paiche Dekhik Lagon Writer, director & musician [14]
Angovnnecho Put Writer, director & musician
Toddoki Pai Writer, director & musician
2010 Patok Musician [4][15]

Select discography edit

Albums edit

  • Classic Goa: Hits of the Millennium (1999)[16]
  • Aguad Jeilik Burak (2001)[17]
  • Ek Uzvadd Tum (2006)[18]
  • Mhozo Anvddo (2007)[1]
  • Tum Ani Hanv Mellonk (2011)[19]
  • Pelo[20]
  • Ophelia[21]
  • Dennem[22]

Audio cassettes edit

  • Goinchi Girestkai (2004)[9]
  • Ponvotti (2013)[23]
  • Diana[24]

VCDs edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e Desk, N. T. (2017-05-11). "A tribute to late Josinho D'Souza – The Navhind Times". Archived from the original on 2023-11-07. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  2. ^ a b Gomes, Venita (2023-01-02). "Goa's St Roque Church: A perfect example of total heritage conservation". Gomantak Times. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  3. ^ Fernandes, André Rafael. When the Curtains Rise--: Understanding Goa's Vibrant Konkani Theatre. Tiatr Academy of Goa. ISBN 978-93-80739-01-4.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Maestro Josinho no more". oHeraldo. Archived from the original on 2023-11-07. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  5. ^ a b "Nurturing a musical passion". oHeraldo. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  6. ^ "Directorate of Planning, Statistics and Evaluation and Office of the Chief Registrar of births and deaths". Goa Online. 18 May 2017. Archived from the original on 27 October 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  7. ^ "Rewarded for his talent". oHeraldo. Archived from the original on 2023-11-08. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  8. ^ "The double century saga returns". The Times of India. 2016-02-02. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 2016-05-29. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  9. ^ a b c "Wayback Machine". 2004-08-05. Archived from the original on 2004-08-05. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  10. ^ "Forthcoming". www.goanvoice.org.uk. 5 July 2007. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  11. ^ "HI MAIM KONNACHI – Tiatr". 2020-05-03. Archived from the original on 2023-11-08. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  12. ^ "Margao: Pundalik Naik is Gulab's Man of the Year". www.daijiworld.com. Archived from the original on 2023-11-08. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  13. ^ a b "HEVUI CHUKIK BHOGSONNEM NAM (HEVUI CHUKIK BHOGSONNEM ASSA – PART II)". Tiatr.in. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  14. ^ Directory of Tiatr Artistes, 2012. Tiatr Academy of Goa. 2012. Archived from the original on 2023-08-27. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  15. ^ JoeGoaUk (28 February 2010). "Tiatr for Lent/Easter - Part II". Goanet. Archived from the original on 2023-11-08. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  16. ^ "GOA-WORLD - Silvano Barbosa Presents LORNA in CLASSIC GOA". www.oocities.org. Archived from the original on 2023-11-08. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  17. ^ "AGUAD JEILIK BURAK – Tiatr". 2020-11-05. Archived from the original on 2023-11-08. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  18. ^ Pereira, J P (16 January 2011). "Navhind Times Audio Review: Some pleasing songs to hear by J P Pereira". The Navhind Times. Archived from the original on 2011-01-14. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  19. ^ Pereira, J P (16 January 2011). "Navhind Times Audio Review by J P Pereira 'Tum ani hanv mellonk'". The Navhind Times. Archived from the original on 2011-01-14. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  20. ^ "PELO – Tiatr". 2020-11-05. Archived from the original on 2023-11-08. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  21. ^ "OPHELIA – Tiatr". 2020-08-07. Archived from the original on 2023-11-08. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  22. ^ mangoansongs (2023-09-27). "Dennem - Singer Lorna Lyrics Neves Oliveira | Konkani Song Lyrics". Mangalorean Goan Songs. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  23. ^ "'Ponvotti' released at Margao". oHeraldo. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  24. ^ "DIANA – Tiatr". 2021-01-17. Archived from the original on 2023-11-08. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  25. ^ "Last Works of Rosary Ferns: Thank You Kuwait VCD released in Kuwait". www.indiansinkuwait.com. Archived from the original on 2023-11-08. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  26. ^ "DUETS OF C. ALVARES – Tiatr". 2020-08-07. Archived from the original on 2023-11-08. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
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