http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=30018&n_tit=Goa%3A+Remo+Shares+His+Delight+over+Winning+Padmashree Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Goa, Jan 29: Total 25 short message services (SMSes) and 30 missed calls on his cell phone were awaiting Remo Fernandes to wake up and discover the pleasant surprise of being selected for the coveted Padmashree award. "I was emotional and tongue tight when I read that I had been chose for the highest honour. I am not a typical Padmashree awardee kind. I am not one of those serious intellectual guys," Remo said reacting to his selection for the prestigious award. Speaking to this reporter over phone from Ahmedabad, where he was scheduled to perform in a concert when the announcement came in, Remo said, "The honour was an unexpected one as I have been adopting critical approach towards those in power." "I am a rebel kind, criticising governments when they do wrong and always against corrupt ministers," the internationally acclaimed pop singer, who, in the past, objected to holding International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa at the cost of state exchequer, stated. The selection speaks of open-minded and broad approach of the jury for Padmashree awards, he commented. Remo, who is yet to get any state award constituted by the Goa government, said that a couple of weeks back the Intelligence Bureau (IB) had inquired about his background. "There was also a request to send my bio-data for the award. After sending the bio, I forgot about it as it has happened several times that someone suggests the name, bio-data is sought but nothing happens," said Remo, India's contribution to international music. Remo is in the midst of a hectic schedule with various concerts lined up. Replying to a question, Remo said that he has never been selected for Goa state awards as he has been thrashing the state government over various anti-people issues. "There are certain petty thieves who can't face me," the singer said. * Read Earlier Interview with Remo Fernandes - Click Here * * * * * http://www.hindu.com/br/2007/01/09/stories/2007010900161400.htm Most postcolonial academics working in English tend to operate in a North-South context, comparing, favourably or unfavourably, cultural practices in India with those operating in the U.K. or the U.S. This book, however, presents a radical departure from the norm by presenting a South-South conversation, riddled with contextual complexities and mediated by the author. For example, Tejaswini Niranjana analyses the interaction between the Trinidadian chutney-soca performer, Drupatee Ramgoonai and her India Indian counterpart from Goa, Remo Fernandes, who collaborates with Denise Belfon on a song called "Looking for an Indian man". As Niranjana points out: "The `Indian man' created by Remo's reply [`I'm an Indian man from India'] to Denise Belfon claims representative as well as parodic authority in relation to India even as he positions himself as a daring caricature in Trinidad." At times, the Trinidadian Rikki Jai plays film songs from India that Remo does not recognise — thereby raising questions about the "Indianness" of both singers. * * * * * Remo denies reports of singing song to cheer Indian team Monday January 29 2007 16:21 IST PTI PANAJI: International pop singer Remo Fernandes on Monday expressed surprise over media reports that he has sung a song to cheer up the Indian cricket team for the ensuing World Cup. "I had been reading about me singing some cricket song for weeks, some articles even said I had sung and recorded it already, and I didn't know a thing about it," Remo told PTI. The singer, winner of Padmashree award, said that while he was in Dubai, someone had called him to sign a deal. "Someone called me while I was boarding my flight to Dubai last week, and said they wanted to record it on a certain day when I already had prior commitments. I have no idea what's happening about the song," he clarified. Media reports claimed that Remo is likely to sing for UTV motion picture's album "Hat trick," which aimed to inspire Indian cricket team during the World Cup, scheduled to start from March 13, 2007. "I am sure, they must have recorded it with someone else already," Remo replied to a question. "If they approach me, I will surely like to cheer up the Indian cricket team," the singer added. The media reports stated that the song which was planned with renowned singer Usha Utthup, will be picturised on stars like nana Patekar, Kunal Kapoor, Rimi Sen, Danny and some leading cricketers. It is planned to be picturised in the first week of February and will be aired on all channels before the World Cup. * * * * * Remo 'pops' up on music scene with new album Panaji, Jan 29. (PTI): After four years of self-imposed exile, pop singer Remo Fernandes expects to stage a successful comeback through his soon-to-be launched pop album 'Muchacha Latina'. "I guess you could say this is my 'return' not only to Bollywood, but to pop singing as well," Remo told PTI in an exclusive interview here on Sunday. "I feel great being back in the pop scene. I spent about four years of self-imposed exile from it, and worked on music which I truly needed to let out of my system: an orchestral album 'Symphonic Chants' which contains my versions of Gayatri Mantra and 'Om Jai Jagdish Hare'," he said. "And then there was a chilled-out album 'India Beyond', songs from which have been signed for the Buddha Bar in France and released by Opium Compilations in the USA." The 53-year-old singer, who gave Bollywood hits like `Hamma Hamma' in 1994 movie Bombay, is more known for his adoption of universal music. The Goa-based singer, recently selected for Padam Shri award, re-entered the Bollywood scene with the song 'Signal' from comedy flick `Bhagam Bhag' with music composed by Pritam of the `Dhoom' fame. "I'm happy to say its done very well. I've just recorded another song for him (Pritam), as well as one for (music composer) Lalit, and these would be out in a few months," said Remo talking about his experience in `Bhagam Bhag', directed by Priyadarshan which hit the theatres on December 22. "The new album contains four numbers which are regular `songs', and also includes new versions of my old hits like `Bombay City' and `Flute Kick. The remaining four numbers are more electronica-oriented. I love that kind of music as well, and found expression for it in this album," Remo said. Asked whether he missed Bollywood during his self-exile, he said, "I didn't miss Bollywood at all while I was away from it, because it was a conscious decision to stay away. I needed that break, artistically as well as psychologically. Now that I'm back into pop and Bollywood." "The thing is to be totally centred into what you're doing - if you're centred, if you're fully into what you're doing at the moment, how can you miss being somewhere else?" the popular singer maintained. Remo feels Bollywood need not be a "must" for a composer or singer. "If you're into making your own music, the music should stand up on its own. But when it is successful, it is Bollywood which approaches you to `lend' your voice and compositions to films." "Let's face it, Bollywood is the biggest medium machinery in this country - so obviously if your song is in a film, it is bound to be heard by a whole lot of people. But, simultaneously there are very successful pop groups and individuals who have made it big solely on their non-film albums in this country," Remo noted. * * * * * FOR MORE music-related posts [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/goamusician] _______________________________________________ Goanet-news mailing list Goanet-news@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-news-goanet.org