Alfred Rose is no more. He breathed his last on 21 October 2003 at his residence at Mahim, Mumbai at the age of 71. But his musical spirit will forever live in the hearts of Goans the world over, for he was truly an international Goan star - a composer, singer, playwright and director - who had won the hearts of all Konkani lovers, wherever he had been. And he had been to many countries where the Goan communities lived, like England, France, Germany, Africa and the Gulf.
He is the only Goan composer-singer in India who has recorded his Konkani songs in London with an English band, thanks to the patronage of the Konkani loving East African Goan, Mr. Jerome Mendes.
Alfred and I were friends in Bombay in the fifties, when I was editing the Cinema Bulletin weekly. When Jerome brought Alfred and Rita to London to give a Show and to record an album of songs in Konkani in 1979, Alfred contacted me in Germany by letter expressing his desire to perform for Goans over there. I hurriedly formed the Goan Cultural Society and with our combined efforts brought them to Germany. For the Musical Show in Russelsheim he was very ably assisted vocally by his popular singing wife Rita Rose. While there he stayed with Rosi and me for four days reviving old friendship and memories. When Rosi and I visited India in 1980, Alfred had come with his car to pick us up at the Mumbai airport to take us to our hotel in Bandra.
He is the only Goan composer-singer in India who has recorded his Konkani songs in London with an English band, thanks to the patronage of the Konkani loving East African Goan, Mr. Jerome Mendes.
Alfred and I were friends in Bombay in the fifties, when I was editing the Cinema Bulletin weekly. When Jerome brought Alfred and Rita to London to give a Show and to record an album of songs in Konkani in 1979, Alfred contacted me in Germany by letter expressing his desire to perform for Goans over there. I hurriedly formed the Goan Cultural Society and with our combined efforts brought them to Germany. For the Musical Show in Russelsheim he was very ably assisted vocally by his popular singing wife Rita Rose. While there he stayed with Rosi and me for four days reviving old friendship and memories. When Rosi and I visited India in 1980, Alfred had come with his car to pick us up at the Mumbai airport to take us to our hotel in Bandra.
The passing away of Alfred Rose is a great loss not only to Rita and her children but also a loss to our Motherland Goa, and more partiularly to Konkani which he had upheld through his songs and plays in Konkani. On this account India's 25th State - Goa, owe to him a sense of gratitude, and I hope it will be repaid by getting Kala Academy's open air auditorium named after Alfred Rose, as was promised by ex-Tourism Minister Victoria Fernandes. It must be left now to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to take up the cause.
Many have complained, and rightly too, that for all Alfred's super-worth he did not receive the Goa State medal, saying it is awarded only to Goans residing in Goa, and not in Mumbai. I think it is about time that this rule was amended to include all Goans wherever they may be resident. A Goan is not less Goan for living outside Goa. And Alfred won't be less brilliant because he did not get the shine of the State Medal, for the Goan people's verdict has enthroned him as Goa's Melody King.
I know that no symphony of tears could wash away the sorrow of our dear Rita Rose and her children. But remitting our heartfelt sympathy we assure her of our fervent prayer for the departed soul of Alfred Rose, who I have no doubt, will entertain the Goan souls in heaven, among whom he'll find our two holy compatriots Bl. Joseph Vaz and Ven. Agnelo de Souza. Finally, I may say that in the darkness of his death there'll always be for us the light of his precious music and his contribution to our mothertongue, Konkani.
Many have complained, and rightly too, that for all Alfred's super-worth he did not receive the Goa State medal, saying it is awarded only to Goans residing in Goa, and not in Mumbai. I think it is about time that this rule was amended to include all Goans wherever they may be resident. A Goan is not less Goan for living outside Goa. And Alfred won't be less brilliant because he did not get the shine of the State Medal, for the Goan people's verdict has enthroned him as Goa's Melody King.
I know that no symphony of tears could wash away the sorrow of our dear Rita Rose and her children. But remitting our heartfelt sympathy we assure her of our fervent prayer for the departed soul of Alfred Rose, who I have no doubt, will entertain the Goan souls in heaven, among whom he'll find our two holy compatriots Bl. Joseph Vaz and Ven. Agnelo de Souza. Finally, I may say that in the darkness of his death there'll always be for us the light of his precious music and his contribution to our mothertongue, Konkani.
