SANTANA CARDOSO.... evergreen HERO of Galgibaga

Dad's favorite  place:  By the bank  of the Galgibaga river,  taking  his afternoon nap

TIME AND TIDE WAIT….NO MAN…….. This was one of my father’s favorite quote, and he always made us laugh because he somehow used to miss ‘for’ while saying it. His other favorite one was "Jivit anic moron dennen devachea"...., None of us ever knew why he quoted these phrases, but on 11^th October 2012 when he breathed his last at around 9:00 pm in Apollo Hospital (Margao), at  the grand old age of 87, I guess the meaning was pretty clear “No one can stop the inevitable” …. Much as we tried with the best available hospital, medicines, doctors, advise, equipment….and above all, prayers.

A week before he passed away - At Apollo Hospital (Margao).  At 87, he could read without glasses

I am putting together this blog not to glorify my beloved father or heap praises on him, rather it is a scrambled collection of my memories and thoughts of him which may connect with my family and those who knew him, but more importantly it is hopefully  a future reference for his grandchildren and great grandchildren about treasuring family values and the memories of a very loving, happy go lucky,  honest and talented human being.

Family picture at our Silver Wedding on 7th Jan 2012
 L to R : Nadia, Amanda, Gina, Gizelle, Sr. Monica, Ignatius, Fermina, Juliao, Zinia, Marcel, Julia, Tanya, Nelly, Tony  Sitting: Dad & Mum (missing in pic: Valerie, Joshua)

Dad was one person and many will vouch to that, who never seemed to grow old.  He nearly always looked the same and my earliest images of him are that of a lean, tall, dark and handsome man who was my idol as a famous musician, a good soccer player (he played in the goal just like me), and above all a loving and caring father who took me fishing.  I will never forget these fishing trips as Dad always walked very fast and with long strides of his,  and it was a ritual for me to try and catch up with him by matching his footprints in the sand, usually by jumping from one to the other. 

Maria Santana Milagris Cardoso was the name given to dad at the time of birth, and it was in keeping with tradition of including Latin names from the old/new testament and saints. He was born in Galgibaga (Canacona) on 29^th June 1926 to Pedro Nicolau Cardoso and Filpina Fernandes Cardoso (my grandmother hailed from Navelim), he remained the only child having lost his sister at the young age of 10 to a dreadful attack of small pox.  Since childhood his love for music was evident when he showed great interest in singing and playing instruments, but not having a music teacher in Galgibag, his mother sent him to Loliem (on the south end of Goa, 15 kms from our house) to a well known music teacher,  (late) Mr. Amel (Mestri) where he practiced reading notes (solfan) and learned to play the violin.   Coming from a poor family, there was not enough money to have three square meals a day,  let alone take music lessons, so in desperation, she requested Amel Mestri to let dad stay at his home and help do the chores while each week she would send rice and a few vegetables for dad’s sustenance.  Years later when Amel Mestri would visit our home, dad always showed his gratitude to him and treated him with love and respect.   By the age of 22, dad had also mastered the drums on his own, and along with his cousin Vincent (the famous Tarzan De Galgibaga), played at weddings all over Canacona,  from Cabo De Rama to Polem and even  as far as Cuncolim and  Karwar.

The Painguin Kala Krida Sanskristik Mandal honored dad with an award in 2010 and he was the guest of honor at the function organized in Painguinim (canacona) 

I remember as a kid when we had no fans and used to sleep in our verandah in those hot and humid months of April and May to catch the gentle salty breeze of the Arabian sea, our home being only a couple of hundred meters away from the Sea, dad would tell us stories of how he, Tarzan and other great musicians like Clement and August from Chinchinim would play at weddings for as little as Rs.2/-.  Those days the wedding celebrations were elaborate and separately held at the groom’s house first and the next day at the bride’s house, and the musicians had to travel to both locations, usually on foot.  I remember going with dad on  many a occasions and having the privilege of eating at the musicians table before the start of the celebrations.  This was a time honored tradition which the musicians enjoyed and I got to relish the sorpotel and  add-mass, before the rest of the guests.

Another great story was of how when he was playing (the violin) at a dinner ball organized by the Portuguese top brass at the Poinguinim guest house and news came in of the Indian Army having entered Goa.  The guests scampered off in great hurry leaving everything behind. Dad and Tarzen were the last to leave and remembered how they were tempted to go home with the expensive Portuguese cutlery and silverware that was left behind which today would have cost a fortune. But they just left the place empty handed and the villagers may have swiped the place clean after that.   Dad played the violin until just a couple of years back and it is difficult to imagine if there would be any household in Galgibaga and neighboring areas that he did not either play, emcee or propose the toast at a wedding, house warming, ladin, birthday or christening.  

Providing the music for our cousin's children who sang a konkani song

His love for music, and his contribution in promoting it,  including the village church where he was the Mestri for countless years finally cumulated in the lifetime achievement award ‘the Kala Gaurav’ bestowed in 2007 by the then chief minister Shri Digambar Kamat at a grand ceremony at the Kala Acadamy Hall in Panjim.  It was his crowning glory and he would proudly show his award and picture with the Chief Minister to every other person who visited or passed by  our home, including complete strangers.  Family, friends, relatives,  and even my children’s friends fondly remember dad volunteering to bring his violin and immediately  starting with ‘Tambde Rosa’ or ‘Bombay se aya mera dost’ during late evening sessions  in Galgibaga while sipping original coconut feni from our own trees.

Receiving the Kala Gaurav award from Digambar Kamat

Dad was easily the best Angler in our village and fishing was a passion for him as much as music.  We could have a guest at any time of the day or night at our house and dad would just say, “ I’ll be back soon “ and  in half hour…return with a catch.  As a matter of fact his fishing exploits have gone into folklore; dad would go on his canoe and kill massive Stingrays and Whale Sharks (fodko) using long and short spears.  His antics enhanced his reputation and the nickname ‘fodko’ which was originally given to his father stuck, although he was not too fond of being called by this name.  I did ask him as to why he was called by this name,  and he explained that while hunting (that’s the word when you hunt fish with spears) during a deep sea fishing trip, the local fishermen along with my grandfather caught a large fodko (whale shark) and while returning back to shore the boat capsized and everyone swam to the safety of the shore, except for my grandfather, who clung to the fodko with one hand and the capsized canoe with the other,  until help arrived.  He was deemed a hero and the name fodko stuck.    On a good day, usually  I have seen dad kill as many as seven such big (up to 3 meters long) creatures.  The fins of these sharks were dried and sold, I believe for preparing operation theater thread (during those days) and the meat was distributed to everyone in the village.  Usually, it was dried and kept for consuming in the monsoons.

Marcel's 50th birthday: with Ignatius, Raymondo, Pateleao, Joao Francis, August & Cheryl

Dad was 32 when he married my mother Sabina.  Third among 7 children of Rosalina and Xavier Barretto  from the nearby ward of Colsor, the other siblings being the late Augustine, Pauline, Terezina, Vicentina, Francis and Hilary.  She was just 16 when dad first saw her walking around in the village, and for him it was love at first sight.    Mum was of course not  even sure what was going on, but taking into consideration that Santana Cardoso was a popular musician and doing well for himself the match was finalized by the family and the wedding took place on  23^rd February 1957.  My uncle Francis Barretto fondly remembers that the wedding celebrations lasted for over a week and ‘Pulao’ was served for the first time at a wedding in Galgibaga.  I was born in 1958 and my brother Marcel a couple of years later.  Fermina, Jeorgina and Monica were all born with a two year gap.

A few years after getting married

One of the wisest decisions taken by my parents and others in our village was to educate many of us in boarding schools.  Those days, sending a child from a remote village in Canacona to a school like Monte De Guirim, Duler, Don Bosco or Pilar Seminary was an achievement by itself and today I can proudly say that the education did pay off for many of us. Dad would visit me once a month in Guirim changing 5 buses and two ferries either way, carrying with him home made sweets that mum sent, along with the 5 rupees that he gave me are times I will never forget.

This blog would not be complete if I did not mention Dad's  wicked, witty  and at times very dry sense of humor and there were times when he may have offended a few people and embarrassed my mother.   But that was dad, and it was mostly spontaneous and not malicious, and those who saw the funny side,  understood or knew him took no offence.  Funny though, my mother feels I am exactly like my dad in this respect.

Naughty side of my father: at our 25th silver wedding anniversary roos

My parents Silver Jubilee, my sister Monica’s ordination, and their Golden Jubilee (2007) were events for great celebration in our family and dad greatly enjoyed being part of them. The great thing about Dad and Mum was that they were never ever separated after marriage and the very few times he did venture to start some unsuccessful business in Bombay, he always returned within a week.    His passing away leaves a deep void in my mother’s life who finds it hard to accept the fact that the person who was part of her life for 55 years is no longer there.

 

During his last year, dad often spoke about his death and had a few wishes that he wanted us to fulfill, and although we had a most dignified funeral for him, we made sure that most of his wishes were fulfilled.  The funeral was held on 14/10/2012 at 3:30pm and just as he would have wanted, his funeral was attended by a large number of people from far and wide.  With his death ends an era of a generation of people who lived a humble life, toiled the fields and enjoyed the simple things in life.  The wonder of dad was, he lived through his generation and ours as well.  Tony Martins, my neighbor and relation best described dad as “the evergreen hero of Galgibaga” and the “Grand Daddy of Galgibaga” both such befitting titles for a man who lived a happy go lucky life.

     

Juliao Cardoso

Dad's Funeral - on our way to the cemetery

A little girl (daughter of Alecino De Mashem)  played the last post 

EULOGY

Prepared by the grandchildren (Nadia, Nelly, Amanda, Valerie, Joshua, Tania & Giselle)

and read out by Nadia Rebello in the church at the end of the funeral service.

Growing up through the years, we knew our grandfather in many forms. A musical legend, the center of attention with his trademark white shirt and blue pants, the man who caught the big fish, lovingly called fodko, but to us, he will always be...PAPA.

Papa was always the person we could count on when everyone else was against us... He never judged us or treated any of us differently... Each of us was special to him..

We will never forget those evenings when papa would get his violin out and play us our favourite songs.....those wonderful stories..of how he spent all his time playing at litanys and weddings to earn a mere 2rupees.

Then there were his promises of early morning fishing trips.. for which we would stay up all night in excitement...only to realise that they were, as our parents would warn us- his 'night talks'..nonetheless, we still kept asking him.

Whenever we were down for our holidays, he couldn’t resist, with authority saying 'naupak wos!' and 'baba jaila?'... The latter being something he never followed himself.

Papa you are an irreplaceable part of our lives..we are grateful for all the unconditional love and time you gave to us.. We promise to give all your pending hugs to nana.. We will always remember you..And we will always love you.

We say goodbye to you papa, with one of your favourite bits of advice...a saying that we now cherish and promise to follow.."Time and tide wait..no man" :)

Dad Shared so much love with his grandchildren , fooling and joking with them all the time....
(Pic courtesy : My cousin Tracy Barreto)

THANK YOU NOTE

Read out by Sr. Monica Cardoso on behalf of the family at the end of church service

"Jivit anic moron dennen devachea"...., hea  amchea paichea muhnenn asolem.

Mogachea bhava -bhoinnimno,

Amcho pai hea sonvsarant ontorlo ani novea jivitak tannem zolom ghetlo. Paichea mornnavoir amkam dukh zala. Teach borobor, sasnnik jivitant to bhitor sorla dekhun ami khuxal zatanv.

Amchea pasot amchea pain korunk naslolem kainch na. Ek bapai koso tannem koxtt kaddleant ani amkam soglleank bore torem vaddoileat. mojea paichea dennea khatir ami Devak dhin'vastanv. zaite borem korunk Devan amchea paik boll dil'lem. Zaitem boreponn tannem dakhoilem. kitem -I chukla zalear Dev taka bhogxitolo ani aple vangent ghetolo ho amcho bhorvanso.

Pai piddent poddlo tenna savn aiz meren zaiteamni paiche sovem ani amchea sovem husko dakhoila. Ami sogleank Dev borem  korum muntanv.

Amche Padr vigar Fr. Simon - amkam aplo sogllo sohokar dila. Father, tuka Dev borem kurun. Aiz paik nimanno adeus korunk ailolea ani tachea pasot hea misant vantto ghetlolea soglea Padrink - Fr. Peter De gama, Fr. Assis Dourado ani Fr. Avito Almeida,  brotherank ani motthvaxi bhoinnink ami kallzant thavn dhin'vastanv.

Gayann monddollan suvadik talle dium sevadhorm orthabhorit kelo...Dev Borem Korum Mr. August ani Cheryl cardozo, Ms. Sylvia ani Mona.

Amchea maink aiz ami sobhemazar Dev borem korunn mhunnttanv. Paichea sovem tinnem khum husko dakhoilo , zaite koxtt sonsle. Mai tujea sangata ami asanv mhunn ami bhas ditanv.

Amchea ghorcheank, soireank, Xezarreannk, vaddeachea bhov bhoinnink , firgoz karannk, Igorjeant vavurtoleank ami Dev borem korun.

Last but not least I would like to thank my Provincial Sr. Maggie and her team and all my Canossian sister who have come all the way from Belgaum. Thank you and God bless each one of you.

If my dad was there he too would have said " Thank you and God bless you all" ...these were his last words. On Behalf of him once again I say 'Thank you and God bless you.

Vitamin C - That's what dad used to call it.  Here he is proposing a toast with his favorite line  'time and tide wait...no man'

At my cousin Remiz's post wedding party in Galgibaga (Jan 2012)  with Francis Fernandes and Johnny.   Always the life of the party. 

TRIBUTES

Following is a letter received from Sr. Clemy (Canossa Convent – Mumbai).  She was one of the first nuns in the Canossa Convent founded in Galgibaga and her long relationship with our family was partly responsible for my sister Monica to take up the habit.

My Dearest Aunty Shobina, Julio, Marcel, Fermine, Gerogina and Monica;; Francis & fly,

As we bid goodbye to Uncle Santan, my heart is filled with gratitude for the blessing he has been to you, to us, to all.  He was at the helm of your family and together with Aunty Shobina they achieved so much.

“May your name be praised father, son and holy spirit for all that you have accomplished in his life and for using him as a witness to proclaim Jesus through his hard work , his music, song, inter personal relationships, his friendly ways, his counsel, his reaching out to those in need, his relationship with god and his love, concern and care for his family.”

As I recall my encounter with the Cardozo family through Georgina I can never forget his able, loving and caring presence always welcoming, always eager to do something and be of help.  I thank God for all those lovely times you have enjoyed as family, for all the opportunities you took to be together and relish and cherish your love for each other.  I thank God for giving us that great celebration together of 50 years – the golden jubilee of their love relationship, and all the joy, fellowship and love we experienced.  I thank God for that great opportunity I had of meeting them at Fermine’s place when Mum & Dad were down for a short holiday and she got sick.  I can never forget his enthusiasm and love for life – although he was beginning to loose memory.  In spite of all his sicknesses he was a wonderful husband , dad, uncle, brother-in-law, grandfather and friend.  I see all those hundreds who will line up to pay heir last respects to such a wonderful man and friend.

I will never forget how on the 13^th of May 1988 how he, Francis, Georgina & Monica accompanied me to Belgaum and how on the 14^th May our dear Nellie was born and they were there back in Goa at Fermine’s side.  I salute him for being the man he was and for every detail of his life that brought glory to Goa and honour to his name and to Jesus.

I thank each one of you for all that you contributed to make him give his best to God specially Aunty Shobina.

My heartfelt sympathies to each one of you – I have offered my mass for his soul and will offer this whole week as a bouquet of love & gratitude.  I will not be able to be there in person but I will and am already there in spirit.  I am part of that family ‘The Cardozo Family’ and will always be, till we meet in heaven.

Each of you live in my heart and I lift you up in prayer daily.  My loving wishes also to Theresina & Agnel – love to all the members of the extended family – whisper my loving goodbye to him and I pray that he may enjoy heavenly bliss.

As each of you experience this first loss in your family I believe you are being strengthened by the power of the holy spirit and that you are being renewed recreated, consoled and comforted.  May mary our beloved Mother to whom Uncle Santan was very devoted bless you and comfort you in your embrace.

My sympathies and love and prayers

Yours lovingly

Sr. Clemy

Celebrating Mum's 70th birthday 

Adieu to the Evergreen Hero of Galgibaga – the indomitable Santan Cardozo!

As William Shakespeare would have preferred to put it, the final stage brought him back full circle to second childhood. In the age of fast foods and fast life that itself was a rare feet for this octogenarian who neither smoked, nor drank, nor knew ‘women’. But what an awesome innings!

Before he passed away on late Thursday night late Santan Cardoz, popularly known as ‘fodko’, was a man without peers – both literally and figuratively. Razor-sharp, clean-shaven, and divinely smooth, he was a man with incredible strength, tenacity and talent. Still playing till recently, perhaps it was his passion for his violin that kept him the youngest 87year old musician in Canacona.

Go north, go south, go east or west. He had friends everywhere. ‘Do you know Santan Cardoz’ was a popular refrain I have heard all too often followed by a string of superlatives describing the man. Beyond music, he has officiated countless football matches as a referee in friendly matches.

He would walk into a room and put a smile on anyone's face. At family parties when he played the violin, not only his eyes and soul lighted up but the electrifying sparks and vibes could also be felt in those around him. His vibrant positive energy and hearty laughter was simply contagious.

 
Ladins will never be the same again for Galgibagkars in particular and Canconkars in general. The magic of his violin strings will be missed for a long time. All I can say is he's a guy who played right up to the end with great gusto and energy.

With prayers and tears, adieu to the evergreen hero of Galgibaga – Santan Cardoz.

 Tony Martin Barreto

A tribute from Wellington (Our cousin from Chiplem and currently residing in Doha/Qatar)

14/10/2912

My Dear Juliao,

I do not know how to pen this letter to you.  the loss you have sustained now is indeed an irreparable one.  In the death of your father, the very prop and the pride of the family and relatives have gone.  He was definitely the pride of the family and of the entire Galgibag for that matter.

In Chipem, he traveled nook and corners of the villages during nights and sometimes in heavy rain to conduct litanies and some times he played for weddings until morn!  and with no complains.  I proudly set next to him throughout the weddings; he made me sing too.  this quality of his will definitely win him a place in heaven.

In the death of your father, the very prop of the family is gone.  He sure was the pride of the family and relatives and even Galgibag for that matter.  As a violinist he was well know in Sadolxem, Bhatpal, Katebag, Magall, Kolsor, chiplem, Caroim, Maxem, Dapot, Xelle and Loliem, in those days.  He was a rare species in his time.  He was known for his readiness to help play for the occasion.  His simplicity, his patience and calmness was the main key to his achievements.

I shudder to think of your mother's grief.  God alone must give her the strength of mind to bear this shock.  I am really at a loss what to say at this moment of your bereavement.  I also understand what Fermin, Marcel and Sister Monica must be going through!  At the same time I cannot but be grateful to the Lord for having given my uncle, your father his well-earned repose.

He has left behind a void that no one in Galgibag will be able to fill for a long time.  In his example of piety, regularity, honesty and his dedication towards his violin has earned him credit in this world and graces after death.  I will definitely emulate his example and by my conduct enhance the good name of my dear uncle.  He has also earned the prestigious KALA GAURAV AWARD.  yes in his goodness he surely must have earled the above all awards which is given to us after we are dead, HEAVEN.

Your father's death ins the greatest disaster that could befall us but our lives are so full of him so much so that we scarcely yet seem to have lot him!  The long beneficence of his life remains with all of you.

Your father was always ready to help and was most thoughtful for others.  this quality of his has earned him lot of graces in Heaven doubtlessly.  His death is indeed a great loss to us all.

We all have to leave this world some day for sure.  But we must leave behind good old memories like how your father has left behind.

May his soul rest in peace!  And may the lord give the necessary strength to all of you in this great hour of distress!

Please convey by heartfelt sympathy to your mother specially, Fermin, Georgina,  Marcel, Sr. Monica and neighboring aunt.

Yours in sorrow,

Wellington.    Wellington.c@live.com