Remembered as a personable,
affable and considerate gentleman with an endearing love for his homeland Goa,
Lucio Rodrigues (1915-1973) made an invaluable contribution to the legacy of
Goa. Encapsulated in a collection of essays, ‘Of Soil and Soul of Konkani
Folktales’, published posthumously, the book is a revelation of his in-depth
and genuine knowledge of Goa, preserving the legacy of Goa for posterity. An
authority on Goan Folklore, he contributed frequently to various local and
national newspapers and periodicals. Garnering international acclaim as a
student of folklore, he was invited as a visiting professor of Folklore at
Indiana University, USA in 1969.
On his 100th
birth anniversary, Goa and particularly his colleagues and students from Dhempe
College of Arts and Science where he headed the Department of English
Literature (1964-73), recently paid tribute to this multifaceted personality by
releasing a revised edition of his book, titled, ‘Abolim’.
“He was a lover
of the Konkani language. His collection of folktales, which he translated into
English, is a precious treasure trove. His writings remind me of Mario
Miranda’s paintings. It reflects a deep knowledge of the people and their
culture, traditions, their prejudices and relationships. He was deeply involved
in Goa and knew it inside out. His book is a realistic portrayal of Goan
society through the ages. His essay, ‘To Konna’lo’, is a moot reference to the
caste system. His sense of humour and satirical perspective not only make it an
interesting read but also make these writings important pieces of sociology,”
avers retired professor and eminent theatre personality Isabel St Rita Vas, who
was privileged to be associated with Professor Lucio, both as a student and as
a colleague.
Beyond the
literary field, Professor Lucio was an accomplished musician. “He was a lover
of classical music as well as a student of vernacular music like the ‘Mando’
and ‘Ovi’. He was immersed in literature and music and the rhythms of poetry
and he conveyed this love to his students,” remembers Isabel. A fact endorsed
by another retired professor of the college, Ramola Antao.
His patriotic
leanings were also well documented. “He was a well-known freedom fighter and
was a member of the Indian National Congress in Bombay. He returned to Goa
after Liberation,” informs Isabel of this Anjuna native who made Panjim his
hometown.
In a befitting
tribute to their mentor, professor and colleague, author Maria Aurora Couto,
Professor Rabin Pinto as well as Professor Isabel St Rita Vas, Professor Ramola
Antao, Professor Edward De Lima and Chico Fonseca, among others, spoke
reverentially about a man who left a lasting impression on them and the legacy
of Goa.