PANAJI
The music fraternity has mourned the demise of noted mestre, Luis Cota, who passed away at his residence in Santa Cruz on Monday and was interred at the St Cruz parish cemetery on Tuesday. He was 83.
The late Luis Cota hailed from a musically gifted family in Santa Cruz. His father, Jose Santana, was a choir master for many years and was even credited for having started the Fire Services Brass Band.
Luis and his brothers played together at the Emissora de Goa radio station. While late Bruno played the trumpet, Philomeno played the double bass and Timoteo played the drums.
Their other brother, Fr Bernardo Cota, is a well-known musician and has played a key role in the Konkani hymnal ‘Gaionancho Jhelo’. Incidentally, Luis’ sister, Sr Maria FHIC, also plays the keyboard.
“Luis started his musical career at the age of 17. He went on to have many musical compositions and was also given a musical award by the State government. He also played at tiatrs and various music festivals,” recalled Fr Cota.
“Luis dedicated his life entirely to music and such was his passion for music, that music was more important to him than even his health.”
Fr Bernard said Luis had played in the churches in Santa Cruz, Siridao and Panaji, besides the Our Lady of Victory Chapel near Maquinez Palace in Panaji.
Luis Cota joined the Goa Police band in the 1960s and even went on to teach brass instruments at Don Bosco school, Panaji.
He was a recipient of the Goa State Cultural award by the State government and a lifetime award by the Tiatr Academy Goa.
Luis Cota’s son Nolvert, who is also a musician, said his father’s last musical performance was at the 2018 Sangodd in Calangute, even though he was unwell.
“My father mainly played the saxophone, but also played a number of other instruments like drums, violin, clarinet and keyboard,” said Nolvert.
Senon D’Souza, a noted trumpeter at tiatrs, described Luis Cota as a brilliant musician, while Cezar D’Mello, a noted tiatrist and writer, fondly recalled Luis Cota as regular musician at several tiatrs, musical shows, radio plays and competitions.
“Luis was a humble musician who was always very cool and calm,” said D’Mello.
Xavier Fernandes, a drummer who plays along with Nolvert, described Luis as a fine musician with a few words.
“Luis used to take me for tiatrs, festivals, AIR and for Konkani shows,” said Fernandes.
