‘Thank You Kuwait,’ a Konkani songs video album by renowned singer and playwright Late Rosary Ferns was released at a function held at Kuwait’s Village Inn Restaurant on Thursday 1st September 2011.

The album produced by Queeny Productions & Publications (Goa) has songs set to music by Maestro Josinho, Goa’s famed musician while the videography and editing works are credited to Ignatius Fernandes.

The album comprising the last works of Rosary Ferns before his untimely death in January was released at the hands of Lawry Pinto, an ardent admirer of Rosary among the large Konkani speaking communities of Goans, Mangaloreans and Mumbaikars. Fidelis Fernandes, Rosary’s eldest brother attended the presentation and addressed the gathering.

Prominent personalities and media from Kuwait were present on the occasion.

Mr. Veronica Fernandes, a well-known Goan writer, social activist and a close friend of Rosary convened the function. In his brief note, Veronica spoke on the greatness of Rosary Ferns who was famous for his remarkable dramas, ‘wisdomatic’ lyrics, and an unparalleled singing prowess. Salvador Dias and Albino Fernandes also spoke on the occasion.

Earlier, a minutes’ silence was observed as a mark of respect to the singer. A number of hymns and fond mandos of Rosary were sung in remembrance. Aggie Dias performed one of Rosary’s most touching mandos on the clarinet accompanied by Denis D’Costa on the guitar, while a song from one of Rosary’s audio CD was also played to audience.

Rosary Ferns, who died an untimely death on 12th January 2011 while on holidays in Goa, left a permanent legacy and will be remembered for a long time for his contribution towards drama and art in the form of VCDs, CDs and cassettes. Konkan people who were fortunate enough to see Rosary Ferns on stage will perhaps never ever see another star of his calibre – a great playwright, philosophical composer and singer.

It should be noted Rosary’s last drama ‘Kuwait Soddun Vetana’ (Whilst Leaving Kuwait) was staged both by the Goan and Mangalorean Community.

Rosary hailed from Colva, Salcete, Goa and resided in Kuwait since1985 till his death. Rosary was, in his own way, instrumental in improving the overall standard of tiatr and took the Konkani art to new heights. During his years in Kuwait, he staged 12 tiatros some of them for the cause of charity.

In all, Rosary wrote and directed 21 full-fledged Konkani Tiatros. Some of his well received and popular ones include ‘Mhojem Dusrem Ghor’ (My second home), ‘Tumkam Lagon Jielom’ (I lived for you), ‘Sukh Khuim Asa’ (Where is Happiness), ‘Bhurgim Mai Paichem Sukh’ (Children, a joy of parents), ‘Devachea Marak Avaz Nam’ (Justice of the Almighty reigns Silent) ‘Ghor Bandlem Ghorabo Moddlo’ (A House Built, A Home Broken), etc.

Rosary was gifted in writing tragic stories and his forte lied in composing tragic 'cantos' (songs within the premise of the story narration). Among the expatriate tiatrists Rosary Ferns was the only person who was known to be a vivid composer of traditional 'Mandos'. Some of his golden, original Mandos feature in his audio albums.

In the year 2009, Rosary created history when his Konkani Drama "Kuwait Soddun Vetana" was staged in Kuwait by the Mangalorean Konkani community in a Mangalorean dialect. The original drama was in Goan Romi Script Konkani which was well received by the Goan audience as one of the classic dramas of the great writer.

Throughout his presence in Kuwait, Rosary Ferns strived through Konkani stage and cultural programs to bring about fusion of all the Konkani speaking people in Kuwait, Mangalorean and Goans in particular. He wrote and directed Songit Sanz (An Evening of Songs) under the banner of Kuwait Konknni Kendr.

Rosary also encouraged and promoted young and budding artistes and developed them into full fledged artistes. He is on record to have staged more Tiatros (Konkani dramas) in Kuwait than any other artiste and all of his tiatros have been well attended and appreciated by the audience. Besides tiatrs, Rosary wrote a number of One Act Plays, Operettas, Mandos & Dulpods and countless songs. As a matter of interest Rosary was the first person in the history of Goan-Konkani world to produce the first CD of songs which was made in Kuwait. In all, Rosary has produced 13 Konkani Albums in the form of Audio Cassettes & CDs. ‘Kuwaitche Dinar’ (Dinars of Kuwait), ‘Raag’ (Anger), Dinarcho Valor (Value of Dinars), Sirvis Kor, Bhangarachem Kankonn (Golden Bangles), etc, were some of his famous audio cassettes and CDs. He was known for his powerful solos with a message of good morals, upholding religious doctrines and traditional beliefs in family, friendship and social aspects.

Rosary’s last Album 'Dinaracho Valor' (The value of Dinar) was his last audio CD. Additionally, he produced 2 VCDs 'Kanvllo Roddlo Lozen' (The Crow cried in Shame) and 'Mogan Tujea Lasota' (Burning in Thy Love). It is interesting to note that the Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) organized two events in the memory of Late Rosary Ferns in Goa, the latest being just a week ago, focusing on the young Goan singer and director, amongst a galaxy of Konkani stage artistes who are no more among our midst.

Rosary’s voice will forever remain etched in the memories through his songs and compositions. ‘Thank You Kuwait’ is sure to provide a lasting reflection of the great artiste as a composer-singer for which he became synonymous among the Konkani masses. eat