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Devotional Hymns by Eric Soans, Barkur in CD.
We heard many a times, one who sings pray twice…. and then how
about the one who compose such hymns…., surely he glorifies the
Lord 100 times, as the same is sung, heard, and thereafter hummed
innumerable times….. And here is a man gifted with great talents –
a composer, singer, choir master, and a devout but simple human
being, very kind in his words, voice and approach. Of course for
us Barkurians no formal introduction of Eric Soans is
required because; he is familiar face, a symbol and identity in
the liturgical table of Barkur parish.
It’s not an exaggeration; though now we shifted our dwelling to
Santhekatte, Kallianpur, whenever at natives on a holiday, feel
more than comfortable to attend Sunday Mass at Barkur. Let me
admit frankly, one of such strong attraction is the ‘Barkur
Choir’. It was last December, parish Feast day, when our Vicar
recalled to announce that the hymns for the holy mass were
composed by our own Eric Soans, I was literally stunned!!! I
carried a printed leaf let with me to home… and enthralled to see
the beauty of praising, worshipping and thanking Almighty.
There is no comparison for one and alone Eric Soans and his
talents….. a multi faceted personality and one such passion is
music and there is no doubt, it flows in every vein of his body,
mind and soul….as the man gifted with enormous quality and hold
over the choice of rich and pure Konkani words, latent poetic,
rhythm and class melody to inculcate instant feel of divinity in
praising the creator.
Later, I was informed by Kishore Gonsalves our host, that
here before Eric Soans composed well number of hymns, since 5 – 6
years and were acclaimed by clergy and laymen alike. Many of his
devotional songs were sung in neighboring church. Moreover Eric
had a special gift to compose them at short notice, to suit any
given grand occasion.
Its common at Mangalore, the religious music and songs were
composed by priests only with very few exceptions and our Eric
ventured in this field and at par with contemporaries both in
meaningful quality and divinity. It was a persistent request of
his well wishers and friends to familiarize these unique hymns to
all Konkani lovers, not only at native but to reach them to every
Mangalorean Konkani household settled abroad.
The day has come and the work is in progress. A CD consisting 12
selected hymns is planned. A choir of talented singers of Barkur
and the surrounding, preparing to lend their best in praise of
Lord. Finest orchestra under Gladson Raveendra are
already on the job, renowned sound Engineer Ashith
is engaged in this noble work and in one sentence the famous
Sandesha recording studio at Mangalore will bring out a
masterpiece in the form of a CD and the same will be released
either on Parish Feast day of Barkur church on 17th
December 2008 or on Christmas day, in the Blessed hands of H.E.
Rt. Rev. Henry D’Souza, the Bishop of Bellary Diocese.
Nevertheless here is an opportunity to you our valued visitors of
these Barkur web pages to be a part of this missionary work in
different ways and volume and for more details please contact our
host or Eric Soans at his e mail id
ericjaes@yahoo.co.in
or cell no 0091 9844626700.
We at Barkur-online team wish this debutant enterprise of Eric
Soans every success, a man with youthful spirits, constant
innovation and reinvention to improvise and lets not to forget his
unique style to enter the heart and mind of one and all at ease,
with whatever he did or does, may it be Pedruchi Chavi,
ICYM Souvenir, or stories both in Kannada / Konkani or
crossword puzzle….. and now Devotional Songs, a great grand
success. May Almighty bless you and all your associates in
abundance and we anxiously looking for a great work in a tiny
package called CD during this Christmas time.
On behalf of Barkur-on-line Team & ICYM Barkur Ex-Members
Association,
P.Archibald Furtado,
Muscat,23/10/2008 |
