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A life lived for others than self, in fond remembrance of….
HERALD SEQUEIRA, Barkur
A founder member of CYM Barkur, when he was just 13 of teenage
years in 1976, (its founder director, at present the Bishop of
Bellary Diocese Rt. Rev. Dr. Henry D’Souza) and since then,
was so closely, passionately and actively associated with it for
the next 15 years, being its office bearer in different capacities
ranging Cultural Secretary to President……… then moving to Bombay,
here too playing a pivotal role, hand in hand with other like
minded people, in mobilizing youth force to come together 1984 to
1988 and to form SPCYA (St. Peter’s Catholic Youth
Association Barkur – Mumbai) in 1985 followed till the
foundation of today’s giant Barkurian SPA (St. Peter’s
Association Barkur - Mumbai) way back on 17th
April, 1988.
Once again a second innings at native Barkur CYM as its President,
(under whom none other than Herald D’Souza, the present
Administrator of Barkur Church served as Secretary)
speaks in volumes for a man bestowed with handsome personality,
lot of talents, leadership qualities and perhaps he was the only
person in the history of Barkur Church to hold Presidents post of
CYM once again, after a gap of 5 long years, in 1990.
Literally, for over a decade, all church activities had a smell of
Harry’s sweat, you call it a Shramadaan, Parish Day, Children’s
day, Youth Day, Catechism day, seminars, get-togethers, rally or
conference…………………..
In short about Family and early days:
Japkalikudru,
fertile and fortunate to give birth to great Sequiera’s of yester
years. One of them was legendary Victor Sequeira (& Theresa
Sequiera.) For the present generation it’s a story that he
being a known tailor in Mumbai was one of the leading figures in
Barkurian Association of Bombay. Later on moving to
natives, was actively involved in St. Peters Association Barkur
Church. His also an untimely death. Probably, that unfortunate
demise of their father left non-erasable imprints in the career of
Harry and his elder brother Lawrie.
Both inherited great qualities of parents – leadership, courage,
sportsmanship, helping nature, cooking tricks for masses from
their mother, innovative and concern for fellow brethren………
It’s just an opinion, if their Papa was alive to guide the budding
sons, another few years, the history would have been different.
Its said father is a father mom is mom. To play either both
roles to any mother on earth, it’s just impossible. The pet
children stopped their education halfway……………..a point both
brothers shared with us at later years in their life.
Nevertheless, both ‘Sequeira Brothers’ left behind great
memories. Is it a divine providence or a co-incidence both
breathed their last at the age of 48..!?
Golden years of CYM Barkur:
Its goes without saying, the CYM days under Fr. Patrick Rodrigues
(presently the Director of Fr. Muller’s Chartable Institutions,
Kankanady, Mangalore) were the golden years in the 35 years
history of CYM Barkur. Those three great years marked by lot of
activities, almost each month there used to be some big event –
social, religious or cultural. Not to elaborate, just one example,
it’s a un breakable record – as many as 15 plays were enacted on
Barkur stage and Harry was one of the popular performers or
participants. His role behind the screen also equally significant.
He was a versatile actor in comic roles. But I have recognized his
talents in serious and character roles in Tisri Chit a
social drama written by Late Wilfy Rebimbus, as Lia,
a emotional man craving for love affection and recognition…….In
real life too, he used to like and love people un
conditionally…….and expected others to reciprocate.
Fine the Barkurian’s by and large recollect his characters in
Mogachi Deswatt, Main Kain Asai, Shirapachi Shirant, Kaloka thavn
Uzwadak, Molbavaili Divti, Ekach Rookachin Phollan, Toonch Mojen
Jeevith, Kazarachi Dotorn, Kainsar Asa Bachavi, Tisri-baail to
mention a few…………its worth a mention that in later years he
directed good number of plays for CYM.
It’s a wonderful experience to share the stage with him and me too
fortunate to act in most of the above plays, with Harry.
Mastermind for the success of CYM Decennial Celebrations:
December1987 must be the year for Harry to be at the peak of his
fame. The CYM of Barkur under Hearld D’Souza and Ivan Gonsalves
left no stone un turned to make the event historical one and it
was truly so……the sky kissing tallest arrecanut tree planted at
the centre of the Church compound, the three days religious,
social and cultural events……all had a touch of Harry’s hands. It
was his magnetic personality, indeed a wonderful motivator used to
attract younger ones around him. Though he was in Bombay, managed
us to hire a luxury Bus exclusively for the convenience of
Barkurian’s to land in Barkur.
The second day cultural event the super hit play written by Henry
D’Silva suratkal was enacted in the presence of record audience
and the Harry was an overnight hero with his role Butler Bosthu.
He had the privilege to perform in the same play in Bombay at St.
Mary’s Hall Mazgaon.
History repeated when the CYM celebrated Silver Jubilee on a grand
scale in Dec. 2002, under stewardship of the then President Ms.
Divya Furtado, yes Harry was playing an advisory role to guide the
celebrations take place with all dignity and showmanship.
As an innovative farmer, businessman & social worker:
Back home, they were landlords, had vast paddy fields both in
Hosala and Pandeshwar. We have seen Harry plough in these fields.
He had natural love for flora and fauna and experimented
innovative skills in farms, understand he was a speaker in
Agro-conferences held at Brahmmavar. He was an expert swimmer and
an equally good fish catcher using both traditional and modern
methods. He had a passion for Kambala and won various prizes for
his pet buffalo pair.
His was a generous heart I still remember – in the year 1982
September; on a chilled rainy day we had a Cycle picnic to
Mandarthi. Tired and hungry resting near a place with rocks.
Suddenly, Harry sprang a surprise with almost 4kg of hot snacks (Guddi
Bhatta’s fort view, near NJC,) gatti baje, the Hotel’s
day’s full quota he bought for us….. There are innumerable
incidents where he exhibited largesse to the contentment of the
surrounding, spending from his pocket.
The later years and deteriorating health:
Probably, his elder brother’s untimely demise had a painful impact
on Harry’s own and literally he kept a low profile thereafter.
About an year ago, he was admitted in Baliga Hospital, though not
keeping well, was spontaneous in cracking jokes – my wife was
supervising the practical’s of Nursing students, this man
cautioning not to leave young students near young patients! When
reminded of his health condition – his reply was in lighter vein,
I am alright, just here to oversee how the new hospital is
functioning!!
One could easily notice the sad reality of Harry, hiding under
veil of artificial smile, he was anticipating a pre-matured
departure from this world………..For a man who loved and admired by
masses, the Sunday the 25th July 2010 had a sad reality
to intimate them Harry is no more! The nature too weeping with
rainy tears…..for a person who loved her.
There was none in Barkur or in the surrounding unknown to him.
Scores gathered to pay their last respects in evidence to his
popularity. On 30th July, 2010 his mortal remains
cremated in the same place where his parents and elder brother
Lawrie taking rest in peace. It must be divine providence; I had
the privilege to have last glimpse at the man who was so active in
the same Church compound for last 3 decades with his trademark
smile and heart and soul participation.
Conclusion:
Multifaceted Harry always remembered by every household in Barkur.
Its his organizing skills at weddings pendal of yester years,
normally used to held at homes – from cooking to decoration, brass
band to procession, let it be the annual parish feast or the X’Mas
tree and crib or star…..everyone, young and old have their own
versions of stories associated with Harry’s links. The elder one
Lawrie a leader of class and the younger one Harry the leader of
masses will always be the part of history of Barkur.
Sequeira’s you should feel proud in having such gems in your clan,
sisters of these great brothers must be cherishing good old
memories…..wife of Harry, Sharmila might had the company of her
husband for a short span but it is always a treasure to preserve
for life time and his son Shawn, once grows up, will be reminded
to be a descendent of a great life and a legacy lived for others
more than self.
We humbly pray to Almighty to grant eternal rest to the departed
soul and solace to the bereaved family members.
On behalf of Barkur-on-line Team & ICYM Barkur Ex-Members
Association,
P. Archibald Furtado,
Muscat 22nd August, 2010,furtadoarchibald@hotmail.com |
