2 GOAN ICONS: Lata Mangeshkar and Anthony Gonsalves during one of their many special moments.
PANAJI
People across the world have enjoyed the songs of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar in dozens of languages for over seven decades, but not many are aware that a rare and historic concert in 1958 featured her singing in two special languages: Konkani and Latin.
This concert was one of the highlights of the close, special and long friendship between two Goan music icons, Lata Mangeshkar and the legendary musician, composer and arranger, Anthony Gonsalves.
The Grand Choral and Philharmonic Concert was one of the finest performances of the time, comprising 115 leading musicians and singers at St Xavier’s College Quadrangle, Mumbai, on 15-16 April 1958.
The concert featured for the first time a fusion of various instruments and styles of the East and West, with the music composed and conducted by Gonsalves.
Gonsalves managed to bring together 115 leading artistes (87 musicians and 28 voices) on one stage and the dozens of acclaimed Goan musicians included Micael Martins (Orlim), Peter Monserrate (Majorda), Chic Chocolate (Aldona) and Damask Braganza (Majorda).
The concert also featured legendary singers, Lata Mangeshkar and Manna Dey, as well as the famed Pyarelal, performing under the baton of Anthony Gonsalves.
“During this concert, Lata Mangeshkar sang the Latin hymn “Ave Maria” and the Konkani song “Dant Vont Xipai Zaun Mogache”. She was happy and proud to have sung a Konkani song and Latin hymn only for my dad, so much so that she even wanted that audio recording of ‘Ave Maria’,” said Laxmi, daughter of Anthony Gonsalves.
Laxmi recalled the great respect that Lata had for her father, besides their close and special friendship over the decades. “They enjoyed being with each other and discussing music. They shared great, pure, mutual respect and unconditional friendship.”
“During my interactions with Lata, she told me that my dad was a thorough professional and a no-nonsense person in the studio, a brilliant musician with ideas flowing well ahead of his times.”
“After they finished rehearsals and recordings, they would occasionally go out to dinner even past midnight...some place called ‘Gazebo’. They would visit each other’s homes and bond with all family members,” said Laxmi.
Laxmi also recalled the time when her dad had left Mumbai and moved to the USA for a few years, without informing anyone or giving his address and contact numbers.
“Lata told me that my dad had suddenly left Mumbai without telling her or anyone the reason, but she found out that he went to New York and made a trip there two years later. She surprised him with her visit and even stayed with dad, mum and my little baby brother for two days.”
“During this visit, she carried a couple of beautiful sarees for my mum, which she treasured for a long time. Lata was very kind and a caring person.” “She gifted my dad precious statues of Jesus Christ and Goddess Saraswati, which my dad treasured and they are in my safe hands. Dad gifted her a beautiful engraved Macau tea set just before Goa’s liberation.”
Laxmi also recalled fond memories of her meetings with Lata Mangeshkar. “I visited her home some years ago, she wouldn’t let me go and kept me for three-and-half hours, chatting and remembering the old times with my dad in the studios and their close friendship.”
“When I visited Lata again in 2018, she gifted me a beautiful saree and said she liked to see me in saree.”
“Whenever I was to go to Mumbai and pay her a visit, I would ask her what she would like from Goa...it was always Goan unpeeled cashew nuts!”
