Alfred Rose’ birth anniversary on August 5 went by unnoticed. Has the Melody King of Goa, who churned out some of the best Konkani songs, many of which are still listened to and relevant to Goa’s social history, been forgotten?
Well, his wife believes otherwise, and says, “The Goa government might not do much for Goan artistes living in Bombay (now Mumbai), but Alfred Rose will not be forgotten by his fans and those who have grown up listening to his songs."
"In fact, a day before his birthday, I received a video of a tribute song for Alfred. So, I know that he is still in people’s hearts,” says Rita Rose, his wife, musical partner, friend and most importantly, his biggest fan.
Fate takes its own path, and for Rita and Alfred, it was all in the voice and the radio.
“I first heard Alfred when I was living in the Fort area in Mumbai. I was in school then, maybe in Class 7. My neighbour had a radio. The other neighbours would come to listen to the radio – they loved Alfred’s voice. They would plead with her to put on the radio, to hear him sing."
"That was the first time I heard him. But, I was too young back then. Little did I know that I would marry him one day!” says Rita, now in her mid-70s, but with the enthusiasm of a little girl distinct in her voice.
My neighbour had a radio. The other neighbours would come to listen to the radio – they loved Alfred’s voice. They would plead with her to put on the radio, to hear him sing. That was the first time I heard him. But, I was too young back then. Little did I know that I would marry him one day!
Rita Rose, wife of Alfred Rose
A mistake got the two – Rita and Alfred – to fall in love.
“For me, it was not his superstar status which made me marry him. I had met him at my dad’s drama, where I was acting opposite him. I mistakenly sat on his straw hat, which he had gotten from the UK, and it broke!" she recalls.
"My mother was very sorry and she promised to get him a new one. I was still in school and I casually asked him, when he would be coming over. The rest of history! I don’t know at that time if it was love, or infatuation, but till date, I don’t have any regrets. I had the best life my husband could give,” Rita says, as she laughs timidly.
Despite the age difference of almost 15 years between them, the marriage worked well, and Rita still talks about him as her ‘love’, an endearment she had for him.
“I miss him being around me. I attended mass on his birthday, and prayed for his soul. We don’t have many celebrations, but we go out for dinner. He was a complete family man all his life," she says.
"I have got whatever I wanted, and most importantly, he provided for me and my kids. Every time I hear his songs, I miss him dearly. I feel that I have not thanked the Almighty for all that I got,” says Rita, pausing as she turns emotional.
“I was very young when I married him, it didn’t matter to me, I followed him wherever he went. I complemented him in whatever he wanted to do, which also meant giving him a few ideas," she shares.
"I’m a Bombay girl, my Konkani is not very good, but I would sing Konkani songs with Alfred,” Rita says, recalling duets like Osole Nokre Korunk Zai and Tum Mojem Sukh from the film Boglantt, to which he rendered his music, among others.
For Alfred, Konkani was very important. Rita goes on to say that he wanted the kids to speak Konkani.
Did you know how Alfred got Rose in his name? It was given to him by noted tiatrist C Alvares; Junior Rose, and he made it his stage name. He was born to a tiatrist family in Aldona on August 5, 1932, and was baptised as Rosario Alfred Fernandes.
For Alfred, Konkani was very important. Rita goes on to say that he wanted the kids to speak Konkani.
“He would tell Schubert that he didn’t understand what he spoke in English! Engelbert was smart, he would speak English with me and Konkani with his father. Alfred was very proud of his mother tongue, and would go to any extent for it,” she says.
Alfred was a family man, and would do everything for his wife and children.
“I didn’t know the cost of things, how to shop, where to buy things, etc. Alfred would do all the shopping for the home," says Rita.
"He was a very dedicated father – he would drop and pick up our younger daughter, Alria, from school. After his passing, it was very difficult for me to cope,” she says, and then laughs, as she reveals that he had a special whistle to call out to her, and had another for the kids.
Rita is now thinking of perpetuating his memory. “I want my kids to take care of his work and have copyrights on Alfred’s work. I’ve been telling my kids that there are two unfinished albums of their father, which need to be completed and released,” says Rita.
She also adds that Alfred was most inspired by the Bible. He didn’t come across as a religious person, but certainly believed in the Holy Spirit.
I want my kids to take care of his work and have copyrights on Alfred’s work. I’ve been telling my kids that there are two unfinished albums of their father, which need to be completed and released.
Rita Rose
Despite his efforts in the field of music, tiatr and Konkani, his wife feels that the Goa government should give him more recognition.
“When Alfred was asked why he didn’t want awards, he would quickly reply ‘I produced Konkani music because God has blessed me with the talent and a good voice. The songs I sing are not produced for awards, but for my love for Konkani.’ He didn’t know how to flatter people for personal gains,” she sighs.
“Sometimes, we don’t realise the value of a living person, but only after they are no more do we value them. We must change that,” she concludes.