The name Tony "Cavenders" Godinho (Domingos Godinho), is synonymous to the Goan Rock expression of the early `60s, when he regaled the Goan youth with his precise drumming and acrobatic stances on the stage, while performing for the first Goan rock sensation - The Beat 4 - with Remo Fernandes (lead guitar); Caetano `Hank' Abreu (rhythm); Alexandre Rosario (bass); and Tony himself on percurssions. Being a musician with the ensemble of the "Academia de Musica" (present Kala Academy), under the revered baton of Maestro Antonio de Figueredo, Tony diversified from the classical symphony, to perform for small `Tunas' (youth combos), to finally leave the Goan shores for better prospects in musical proclavities, and head for Bombay (Mumbai) to join the "Gay Cabaleros" under Emeliano D'Cruz. After performing for the "Gay Cabaleros" and various Bollywood cine orchestras, Tony headed towards the Sultanate of Oman to launch his own bands of which his "Desert Nights" is the cynosure of all the Sultanate's Hotel residents and patrons. With an inner drive to do something fruitful to his fellow Goa musicians, as of now, Tony wants to construe a Welfare Association to aid the needy Goa musicians and his appeal conveys the following: "They say that dreams come true. Surely this could very well be true, if others join hands without hesitation and especially for a good cause. "Years have gone by since different influences and style of music has landed on Goan soil. Not only musicians from different parts of the world, but our very own local bands and artistes keep dazzling the audiences with their performances till date. In the course of time the Goan music scene has given us a host of multi-talented musicians, singers, composers and performers. Some are fortunate enough to still be making a decent living out of this highly unstable profession, while others sadly have been less fortunate, due to maybe highly inflated egos, drinking problems, unsuitable relationships, or simply due to lack of funds. Some have even reached their untimely death due to the lack of monetary fund for treatment or other rectifiable ax maladies. "Whatever the reason may have been, at the end of the day we should not forget their priceless contribution to the Goan musical scenario and the fact that he/she has been and still will be an artiste of the Goan soil. To cut the chase short and get to the point, I would like to propose a joint collaboration of the Goan descent Solo artistes, Bands and Orchestral artistes, from all parts of the Globe to form a Goa Musician's Welfare Centre. Funds could be raised by way of sponsorships and by holding yearly Concerts, featuring variegated stage performances. Funds collected are to be used to lend a helping hand to a needy musician or his family left behind on the untimely demise of the said needy musician, who have fallen on hard times. For example, if some musicians (needy) needs treatment for any kind of sickness or ailment and the family cannot afford the same, the family could approach the Committee at the Goa Musicians Welfare Centre with an appeal to avail of the funds necessary for the treatment. "We must not forget the recent tragedy of four of our talented who lost their precious lives in a road accident while travelling from state to state for performances in India. In light of such tragedy, if the GMWC could contribute a token appreciation to the bereaved families in recognition of their priceless contribution to music, much could be valued, "I am confident with the Help of the Almighty God, and a bit of luck this venture with the help of all the Goan artistes will see the light of the day. To conclude I would like to quote Mr. Caetano de Abreu in his obituary of Alexandria Rosario - When he came into this world nobody knew, and nobody knew when he left. That's life." --Domingos Godinho. Courtesy www.dulpod.com |
