Remo's Musical Concert in Kuwait / 6th Feb. 2004

REMO Enthralls 1K Plus Crowd in Kuwait
By Wellington Dias.

Remo Fernandes hailing from Goa, India (needs no introduction in music circles), after a long hiatus finally got to perform in Kuwait at the Indian Arts Circle auditorium at Funaitees to an audience of around 1K plus on 6th February, 2004 evening.

The evening commenced with some Indian dances, brief introductions, thanks, speeches, et all. Perhaps an opening act with a live band would have been better as is the trend for music concerts of this stature, as after a while the restive audience began chanting for the Man himself.

Remo got rolling with his first number “Keeps Me Moving” (which he dedicated to the people of Kuwait) followed by “Indian Lady” and thereafter, was in full flow with the “Flute Song”, “Maria Pita Che”, “Humma”, “Huyya Ho”, “Pyar To Hona Hi Tha”, “O, Meri Munni”, “Bombay City” and other numbers interspersed with scats, guitar solos with his guitar sounding like a sitar or strumming the guitar on his shoulders. One can see why Remo (a showman par excellence) has endeared himself to his fans and excelled in the music industry with his hard work & talents and not forgetting Remo’s flute playing, which was superb.

When the first notes of the ever popular Goan folk song “MAYA YA” (from “O, Meri Munni” album) were sounded by Remo and the Microwave Papadums, the audience freaked out and started grooving to the beat, this brought up the finale of REMO LIVE IN CONCERT 2004 and at its end the auditorium reverberated with applause, with the crowd demanding for more, Remo obliged with the “Jalwa” song and brought the curtains down on the wonderful presentation.

Not forgetting Remo’s back-up band, the “MICROWAVE PAPADAMS” consisting of Rocky Lazarus (on bass guitar), Mukesh Ghatwal (on Keyboards), Munna Chari (on the Dholak & bongos) and Santana Carvalho (on the drums, the lone surviving member of the tragedy which struck the band sometime back), the boys did a commendable job by providing Remo excellent back-up.

Remo thanked the organizers, the Ambassador of India to Kuwait, the sponsors, the audience and everyone else including his Band.

Kudos should go to IN-SAS (Indian Society of Aviation Staff, consisting mainly of South Indian office bearers) and also their sponsors who made it possible for Remo and the Microwave Papadams to perform in Kuwait.

It was a pleasure meeting Remo as well as watching him perform live after many years. All the best to him in years to come, hope he ascends the pinnacle in the field of music.

Given Remo’s contribution to Goa, it would have been nice if he was felicitated by the Goans in Kuwait during his brief sojourn here. Probably due to paucity of time same was not possible ??


Welly@2004 C
dwelly@rediffmail.com
 

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Photography by Rewon Gomes - Kuwait

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Remo Fernandez charms Indian audience at IAC, Kuwait / 6th Feb. 2004

This evening (6th Feb. 2004) saw Remo in Kuwait, after years, presented by IN-SAS (Indian Society of Aviation Staff). He performed for the first time in Kuwait in the 1980's at the invitation of the now defunct NGOA and its then president, Agnelo Alcacoas, who was instrumental in bringing 'Remo' to the Goan community (many of whom have had heard about him in 'Jalwa' and his audio cassettes, but had not seen Remo)! He was interviewed for the famous 'Weeekend Programme' by
Kuwait T.V.

The 51 year old Remo mesmerized the large crowd today, predominantly Goans and North Indians, among others, with his band "The Papadums".

IN-SAS conducts Indo-Kuwait cultural exchange programmes on a regular basis. The programme was sponsored by ASC, Air India, Crowne Plaza Hotels-Resorts, and Amadeus.

Predominant among the audience were members of the Goan Welfare Society (GWS), Kala Mogui Kuwait and G.O.A. who came in large numbers to show their love and support to Remo.

It was noted that many among the audience might have thought that Remo and his troupe have been flown in to entertain the Goans only. There were repeated demand for Konkani songs as well as for new songs (specially from the die-hard Konkani lovers and Remo fans). Remo did utilize his flair and love of Konkani to get in the needed impetus from the Goenkars in the audience, much to the astonishment of the non-Goans who could not follow the triat (language), and once even went to the extreme when Remo and the audience heard repeatedly from the sole person in the audience demanding more of Konkani songs and 'NEW songs'. 'Goenkarank loz korunk sodtai re', Remo remarked which was not taken in good taste!

We salute IN-SAS, their committee members and the 'programme coordinators' for their efforts and presenting Remo and his band in Kuwait. Surprisingly there were no Goans among the 'programme coordinators' inspite of having a large presence among the airline industry.

It was also brought to the attention of www.goa-world.com team that there were not a single  Goan involved in the organizing of the 'Remo Live in Concert' Programme, but IN-SAS members did approach Goan associations and were reciprocally supported in this endeavour.

A colourful souvenir was distributed to the attendees. The souvenir carries informative news for the Indian community in Kuwait, including Consular Services of the Indian Embassy.


AlmeidaG
www.goa-world.com
 

Indian Society of Aviation Staff IN-SAS - one of the leading charitable and cultural associations in aviation arena is pleased to announce a musical concert lead by Remo Fernandes accompanied by his bank from India on 6th February 2004 at the Indian Arts Circle Auditorium, Kuwait. As Remo and his team are very popular not only in India but all over the world to the music lovers, IN-SAS is proud to have an opportunity to bring Remo Fernandes to Kuwait as a token respect to the Indo-Kuwait cultural exchange. The programme is sponsored by the leading establishments in Kuwait such as Amedius, Air India and Crowne Plaza.

For more info, contact insas@in-sas.org or visit www.in-sas.org Tel: 2452237, 9818870, 9439130 Fax: 2460158 (Contact person: P.N.J. Kumar)

- Forwarded by P.N.J. Kumar of IN-SAS.
 

Goan Welfare Society-Kuwait welcomes Remo Fernandez and his Band