Wilfy, Meena, Veena & Vishwas
Veena Rebimbus Pais is not only the princess of the renowned Rebimbus family. She is also reckoned as the princess of the Konkani music world. Although she is the eldest child of the father of Konkani Music, she is a singer with the irresistible charm of her voice and her down-to-earth personality. For the past over three decades, Veena has retained her position as a singer who is loved and respected by her Konkani music fans. She is a super star who was gifted to this world, nurtured and brought to the fore in the music field by her adorable parents Konkan Kogul Wilfy and Konkan Maina Meena Rebimbus. Veena is a B.Sc., graduate from the prestigious institute of St.Agnes College, Mangalore.
Veena started to sing at the age of 3 ½ yrs during an Easter program at the Jeppu Church grounds. The start was unexpected as her parents had not prepared her to sing for this occasion nor did they know that she would be confident on stage without any stage fear. Since it was the home crowd, after much pleading, her dad Wilfy allowed her to just go on stage and sing and the first song she sang was “Dongi”. She had a tendency to by-heart every song heard at home during practices and this was one of them. Seeing her confidence on stage, her musical parents prepared her for the next program which was at Milagres grounds with a crowd of over 3000 people. The occasion was the Akil Bharati Konkani Parishad Samelan. The song composed for her was one of Wilfy’s immortal songs “Vodlimai”
From then on, her journey on stage continued non-stop and singing has been her passion ever since. Her first recorded song was with HMV – “Muji Mummy” in 1977. She was 6 years then and the youngest singer at that time. For this reason, she couldn’t find a mic for her height and forcibly had to stand on the stool and sing. She has sung in 37 of Wilfy’s albums, more than 220 Wilfy Nites, and numerous other stage performances all over India and the Middle East. Veena has learned Hindustani Classical vocals from Master Kamalakar Shet. She also learned various instruments like the organ, violin and guitar. Veena currently resides in Doha-Qatar with her loving husband Arthur Pais and her adorable children Arvin and Anna Pais.
After her Dad’s sudden and sad demise, she made up her mind to carry forward the legacy and has composed songs (lyrics and tunes) which have been recorded and released in Wilfy’s Volumes 41, 42, 43 and 44, 45.
From 2010 till date, successfully Meena- Veena & Vishwas along with their family members and United Youngsters Group members have successfully staged more than 25 shows in India and abroad including Canada & London.
“Konkani songs may sound simple but they are very rich. The only thing is that they have to be rendered in the proper way with clear diction. Neither they should be anglicized nor eaten as a cotton candy or raw cashew!” These are the very words of Vishwas Rebimbus, the great music rendition master and the prince of the Rebimbus family. Give him any song, he with his natural flair will improvise it and deliver it to the audience with a melodious, impeccable rendition!
Vishwas was born on 20th February, 1978 as the second child of Konkani Music legends Wilfy and Meena Rebimbus in the Parish of Jeppoo, Mangalore. Vishwas, who was fondly called “Vishu”, had his elementary schooling at St.Gerosa Primary School, Mangalore. The rest of his academic studies were pursued at St.Aloysius High School and College, Mangalore with a B.Com. degree to his credit. Later, he completed his Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management from Mangalore University and earned MBA from TASMAC Pune, affiliated to Adam Smith University in Database Designing.
Vishwas started to sing at the age of 5 yrs. The first recorded song was Mog Zaina Matharo, a group song. This song was sung with his parents and sister for Wilfy’s music album Volume 6. His first individual solo was Navm Mujem Vishwas which was specially composed by his Dad for him. This was later recorded in Volume 13. Rest of the numbers like Chandamama, Kani Sang Vodlimai, Bayecho Baav, Mamma Sang etc. were some of his childhood numbers composed by Wilfy that took him to the peak of popularity.
Vishwas has sung in 27 of Wilfy’s most popular music albums, 3 devotional albums, more than 200 Wilfy Nites and numerous other stage performances with his singing parents all over India, Middle East and Canada. He has learned Hindustani Classical vocals from Master Kamalakar Shet. He has also learned various music instruments like Organ, Violin, Drums and Guitar.
Currently, Vishwas is running a business firm ‘Rebimbus Creations’ in Mangalore. Rebimbus Creations was born to continue his Dad’s legacy through his daily work. He and his charming wife Charleen run this business together. They design customized, creative and innovative invitation cards for all occasions. All their invite cards carry late Wilfy’s lyrics in Konkani script, Romi Script or a translated version in different languages. They also have all the works of Wilfy – his musical CDs, DVD’s, books of his Konkani lyrics and short stories at their outlet in Jepoo, Mangalore.
After his Dad’s sudden and sad demise, he too along with Veena made up their mind to carry forward the legacy and has composed songs (lyrics and tunes) which have been recorded and released in Wilfy’s Volumes 41, 42, 43 and 44.
From 2010 till date, successfully Meena- Veena & Vishwas along with their family members and United Youngsters Group members have successfully staged more than 25 shows in India and abroad including Canada & London.
Jeppu parish had won many trophies, mostly were first place. At the Silver Jubilee year of the Konkani Natak Sabha, Meena won first place for the song – “Nehrucho Ugdas’. Also, Meena together with Wilfy won first places in Duet and Group in both male and female categories. Hence Jeppu Parish won the permanent Trophy with 33 points while the parish which got 2nd place secured only 11 points. This was before the introduction of Wifly Nites.
On January 25, 1970, Wilfy and Meena were united in the sacrament of Matrimony. They are blessed with two Children Veena (1971) & Vishwas (1978). Both of them have given their stage performances at a very small age. Veena’s song ‘Muji Mummy’ has been recorded by the HMV when she was 5 years old. Vishwas’ first song is “Chandamama” and his first recorded song is – “Mog Zaina Matharo.” Ever since then they have been performing in almost all of the Wilfy Nites
From 16 years of age till date, Meena has sang more than 2000 songs, sang as a background singer for more than 300 plays, and sang for Wilfy’s 46 Cassettes & 6 Devotional Cassettes, 4 Konkani Films and been a strong backbone for 270 plus Wilfy Nites.
Meena’s father was a popular singer & also a well-known Guitarist. He used to tutor people with his guitar skills. He has also composed many songs to his credit. He played an active role during the Second World War. When Meena was just 9 years old, he was called to serve in the country and never returned. Her Aunt Mrs. Lucy Rosario, who was the elder sister of her mom, gave helping hand in raising Meena.
Then, began the Era of “Wilfy Nites” from 1971, and so far she has performed in 274 Wilfy Nites & Wilfy Day (together). These nites covered all the places in and around Dakshina Kannada, Honnavar, Shirshi, Karwar, Goa, Mumbai, Bangalore, Mysore and Delhi. In the Middle East – Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Kuwait and the latest performance in Canada. She has rendered her voice to 46 Volumes of Wilfy’s CDs, 6 Devotional CDs & 4 Konkani Movies
She has also composed many songs. To name a few popular ones -“Nach tuka eatha ter nach Moga”, “Ya Sounsaranth”, and “Asha ”. Delhi & Bangalore Doordarshan & Akashavani Mangalore have telecasted her performance.
Meena was only 16 years old when she started singing with Wilfy Rebimbus, during that time most of the composers were using popular Hindi tunes for their Konkani songs. However, Wilfy had started a new trend of composing songs using his own tunes. Meena was very fond of Hindi movies, especially the songs. She would watch the movies for the sake of learning the songs and then sing them for any occasion, this was her hobby.
Wilfy had composed some new songs for a play and one of the songs was ‘Vrindavananth sugandh ubtha thand vare valthana’. This was a duet and Meena was called for the practice. After Wilfy trained her, she asked a common friend to find out from Wilfy about the movie from which he had taken the tune so that she could watch that movie and also learn the original version of the song. When Wilfy heard this he got very furious as it was his original tune and Meena thought this was a copy from one of the Hindi song. He shouted at her and then Meena never dared ask him anything.
Meena is a very devoted person and attends the first mass at 5.45 am and leads the choir in Jeppu parish daily, except during out of town shows. This has become a routine for her she says. Her melodious voice truly adds a zing in the choir. Whatever we have achieved is only because of God’s blessings on our family. He has always protected and blessed us in every way she says. Meena has strong faith in St. Joseph the patron of Jeppu parish. Every program Meena and Wilfy began in the name of Jesus through St. Joseph. Meena says that it’s their duty to praise and thank Him for his blessings showered upon them. So, whenever she’s in Mangalore, without fail she attends the first mass and praises God. Meena is an active member of Jeppu Choir for the past 30 years. She also loves cooking and gardening.
Meena’s songs are selected for the 3 Discs produced by HMV, and have been telecasted in Bangalore and Delhi Doordarshan. She is also an auditioned artist of Akashvani Mangalore.
She sang for the following films:
• 1977 – Mog ani Moipas
• 1988 – Kazara Upranth
• 1986 – Bogsane
• 2005 – Padri
For her contribution towards Konkani Music, she has been felicitated by :
1984 – “Konkan Myna” From Benar Production & also a Gold Medal
1996 – “Konkanni Podanchi Rani ” From Broad View, Kala Sampath Lions
Club Illinois.
1999 – “Shatamananthli Adarsh Potin ” from Chintpachi Manchi Kuwait
1999 – “Life time Achievement Award” from MCC, Association Doha Qatar
2003 – Felicitated by Kuwait Farwania Friends Circle.
2006 – Felicitated By Jeppu Parishioners & St. Joseph Natak Sangh.
2011 – Felicitated by the Mangalore Cultural Association, MCA Doha Qatar.
2011 – Felicitated by various associations in Mumbai on the occasion
Wilfy Nite
2012 – Felicitated by SMKC, Dubai
2013 – Felicitated by Konkan Catholic Association, Bangalore
2014 – Felicitated by Canara World Foundation Inc. (CWF)
2015 – Felicitated by Parichaya, Pamboor
2015 – Felicitated by ICYM Bajpe
2015 – Felicitated by Konkani community of Sacred Heart Church, Bahrain
2015 – Felicitated by Konkani Kutam, London
2016 – Felicitated by Konkani Community Kuwait (KCK)
2016 – Felicitated by Konkani speaking community of Doha
2016 – Felicitated by SMMKC, Sharjah
After Wilfy’s death, Meena is left alone with his memories and spends time listening to his songs. Even though shattered by his exit, she encourages her Children to move forward and continue Wilfy’s work by organizing Wilfy Nites. Although she misses singing with Wilfy, she has taken the bold step of continuing her singing just to encourage her children and keep the torch of Konkani shine brightly in the music world. After Wilfy’s demise she has continued his work with the help of her children
Veena – Arthur, Vishwas – Charleen, Grandchildren – Arvin, Anna and Roger in different ways.