New Konkani Audio Cassette “ SASUMAIM”

It’s Jose Mascarenhas’ dream album featuring Felcy, Menino Mario, Comedian Ben Evengelisto, Comedian Domnic, Pascoal, Rosario, and Jose Mascarenhas, produced by Edwin D’Costa on a digital recording system. All Songs are composed and penned by Jose Mascarenhas. Music by Joshinho. In this album, Jose’s song ‘Khoxtt’ is dedicated to the hundreds of Goans who toil in the Gulf to support their families back home. Equally memorable Konkani numbers are sung by Felcy “Kuwaitkar Nouro”, Comedian Domnic’s ‘Telephone’, Ben Evengelisto’s ‘Custom Officer” and Jose’ solos numbers titled “Dubai”, “Soro” and “Saibinn”

A brief on Jose Mascarenhas: Hailing from Benaulim, Salcette, and having composed and sung over 50 songs to-date, and acted in both 'comedy' as well as 'character lead roles', he shines on the Konkani stage. Jose' songs are known basically for highlighting real life incidents and always concluded with good morals. In Menino Mario’s audio cassette “Devache Kaide” his first song “Randd Ostori” was an instant super hit. A chance encounter with the popular composer, Edwin D’Costa at Jose Rod’s wedding reception turned them into good friends and on the very next meeting, upon reviewing his cassette, Edwin commented: “You do have a lot of hidden talent in you, one day you will be famous”. Soon, he had a golden chance to sing for Edwin D’Costa Production’s “Nouro” in which his song “Police Guneavkari” was very well appreciated. It was at this stage he was christened “A Rising Hero” of the Konkani arena. Thus followed other audio cassettes one after another (all Edwin D’Costa Productions) namely: “Nouro”, “Postman”, “Bhangar”, “Naum St. Francisco Xavier”, “Mother Thereza”, “Fr. Savio”, “Dorji”, “Mahatma Gandhi”, “Kamdar”, “Libramento Saibinn”, “Aimori” and the latest “Sasumaim”.

He was the first one to compose a song on Fr. Savio and his illustrious short life span and had it on the audio cassette released within 6 days of his tragic death and loss to the Goans, both Catholics and Hindus

alike. The song was dedicated as a tribute of love. Other songs on subjects that have your heart bleed with pain was on subjects like the “Tandoor Case Scandal in India”, “Kidney Sale Scandal” among others.

Among other most memorable songs feature in John D’Silva’s video film “Xinn”, and audio cassettes produced by Menino Mario’s “Devache Kaide” and “Povitr Pustok”, PP’s “Resaum” and Agostinho da Cruz “Jib Munxeachi”.

His next album is titled “Jurament” shortly to be realeased.

He first acted at the age of 10 in the Konkani drama “Hath”, written and directed by Mingu Ferns (Roseferns’ brother). Thereafter he acted in ‘comedy roles’in dramas and one-act plays, as well as won the first prizes at Konkani singing competitions. In Menino Mario’s “Mhoji Goroj Podli”, he played the role of a Hindu (comedy) which was appreciated by the audience. It was for his role of “Harea Baptist” in Menino Mario’s second hit drama “Tukach Tople” and later on in “Ghotear” for depicting a character called “Black & White” that make people laugh till the end.

His favourite writer-director being Jose Rod, he got an opportunity to act in “Satvo Mandament” as “Pondori” – again a Hindu comedy character role. Earlier, he acted in Ben Evengelisto’s “Kidd”.

Jose Mascarenhas’ keeps Roseferns’ in high esteem. It was Roseferns who first gave him the role of the “hero” knowing very well that his forte was acting in comedy roles. “I was lucky to be casted by Roseferns and I do appreciate his experimental challenges he seeks in an actor. Roseferns' direction and a flair for potraying the characters according to his script is worth mentioning”, he fondly recollects. Soon Roseferns and his troupe with the hit drama “Mhoji Bhett Tuka” embarked on a Gulf tour which took him to Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Dubai (UAE). He played the role of a Blind to perfection. Later “Somdir” was to be his last drama in Goa, thereafter he left for better pastures to Dubai.

“I helped a few directors in composing, directions and comedy side shows, but unfortunately his name was never mentioned”, he thoughtfully laments. “But as they say, God blesses you a thousand ways when you do a good deed” – he concludes laughingly.

Jose Mascarenhas can be contacted by email: josemasca@hotmail.com

- Review and pictures by Goa-World.Net Team (Gaspar Almeida).