A Chat With Mr. Basilo Magno
In coordination with Mr. Rene Barreto (UK), Goa-World
Team's Gaspar Almeida (Kuwait) did a short online discussion with Mr. Basilio
Magno (Spain).
Goa-World (GW): Thank you Mr. Magno for giving us the opportunity to host
your composition for the Goa Day and add it to our resources pages on the Goa-World
website.
GW: Sir, we know you are a life-time journalist, but as a songwriter,
what would you consider your best achievement?
BASILIO MAGNO: To be heard singing daily on the Spanish Radio M-80 Madrid
and its 36 channels since October 1997 my song for the King of Spain, entitled:
"Viva el Rey" in Spanish and English, to the envy of many Spanish
composers who'd vied for the honour. It has been adopted as the signature tune
for its national newscast, and is heard every morning from Monday to Friday,
except in the month of August, the holiday month here.
GW: You also composed a song for the wedding of Princess Cristina
with the Barcelona's handball player Inaki Urdangarin in 1997.
BASILIO MAGNO: Yes, I sang it on Radio M'80 and on Televion Axarquia in
Spain. It was called "Choicest Blessings". Besides I have
done two songs for Princess Diana, which I sang on television in Germany and in
Spain. In that respect, I may be dubbed as "The Royal
Songwriter". But such honours are not bestowed now-a-days.
GW: Understand that you have browsed through the Goa-World website, among
others. What are your suggestions and comments on our website?
BASILIO MAGNO: "The Goans, the world over are somewhat richer
socio-culturally because of your Website: http//www.goa-world.net
- dedicated to Goan arts and culture. My Thanks and
Recognition goes to
your team in a special way for the great help you have given to promote the Goa
Day of 20 August all over the world, and my song for it, entitled: PROUD
TO BE A GOAN. I wish your young Goan team the rich rewards of self
satisfaction in what you are doing and God's blessings for financial rewards
too".
GW: Thank you Sir for your kind words of encouragement. The website
is owned and maintained by Ulysses Menezes. The Goa-World Team does
whatever is possible within their means and the limited time they can dedicate
to building up the resources.
GW: Sir, you have been dubbed as the "Irving Berlin of India"
in the 50's? How did this happened? BASILIO MAGNO: I was dubbed that
way by Bombay music critics, because I was the only English songwriter and
publisher in India. I had in 1956 composed and published my song for
Princess Margaret of England, which got the press interested ...for I had
published the songs and sent them to the press for review. In those days
there was no possibility of making audio cassettes... only printed music...only
English songs.
GW: Understand that you have been associated with various Goan
Associations in Europe. Could you enlighten us.
BASILIO MAGNO: In Germany, I was elected the President for six years
consecutively of the Goan Association Germany. In Torre el Mar, or in the
province of Malaga - Spain, there is not a single Goan to be found, but we have
an International Club of Torre del Mar...all members are British and
German...around 300, who meet once a week at a large restaurant for a drink and
games and social activities...like excursion, etc. I was its vice-president
consecutively for two years 1993 and 1994.
GW: Despite your age and illness, you have been constantly in the
limelight with your music and social activities! What's the secret behind it?
BASILIO MAGNO: Now at 77 years of age, I mean to rest, but I just cannot.
Anytime there is something
new, I am at it again.
GW: Among the many awards and recognition, what do you cherish the most?
BASILIO MAGNO: For an artiste, love and satisfaction derived from the
music is the foremost pleasure! I was awarded in Germany "the
Bishop's Medal of Thanks and Recognition" for services rendered to the
community. It is not the reward that matters so much as the self-satisfaction of
doing social service. That too is a calling from God, like the call for
priesthood, which people don't realize.
GW: Your involved in the socio-cultural activities. What are your
observations?
BASILIO MAGNO: Those who suffer the most are our wives, who miss our company
while we are at some extra curricular socio-cultural activities. My wife
is Spanish, and very tolerant knowing that I do things for my country....my
state, I may say.
GW: You were sent to Europe on a scholarship - was it fate that kept you
in Europe?
BASILIO MAGNO: By nationlity I am Portuguese. I came to Portugal in March
1961, sent by the Governor General of Goa as composer for one year on
scholarship, but the State was taken over by India before I could return...I
stayed on in Portugal, from there to Germany for 25 years and now in Spain for
the past ten years.
GW: You are familiar with many languages as can be ascertained from your
songs?
BASILIO MAGNO: Yes, I do write in German, Spanish Portuguese and Konkani
versions of my songs in English. There again, once I get at the computer,
there is no way of stopping me.
GW: Apart from your newly composed "Proud to be a Goan" song,
which are Goan related compositions you have come up with recently:
Basilio Magno: The song "PROUD TO BE A GOAN" is a unique composition
dedicated to the Goans worldwide. A milleniun song: HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS, and a
song (not a hymn) "LET'S SING AND PRAY FOR BLESSED FR. JOSEPH VAZ....all
three sung by me, produced in Spain.
GW: What is your message for the Goans worldwide on the occasion of 'Goa
Day'?
BASILIO MAGNO: On the auspicious day...GOA DAY celebrations GLOBALLY.... as
Proud Goans, let's Sing and Pray for Blessed Joseph Vaz for the benefit of Fr.
Joseph Vaz and his Cause! I hope I am not asking too much from the Goans.
I understand that other Goan organisations will be holding their GOA DAY
other days, I hope that this song will be sung on those days too. That we, Goans,
irrespective if he/she is a Goan-Hindu-Catholic-Muslim work together for a
better GOAN WORLD.
GW: We thank you for your precious time. Here's wishing you good
health and may we have many more of
your compositions in the years to come.
Basilio Magno's Song & Lyrics "PROUD TO
BE A GOAN"
http://www.goa-world.net/music/proud_to_be_a_goan.htm
"Basilio Magno" <liosiba@teleline.es>
Ulysses Menezes
Goa-World Team http://www.goa-world.net/