Loutolim: May 15 was a day even as the world bid adeus to the legendary B B King, an American blues singer, Goa lost its own great Latino musician, a little before sunset, Maestro Emiliano Da Cruz.
Emiliano da Cruz, passed away peacefully in Margao-based hospital at the age of 70 leaving behind a legacy of music and his band known as the Caballeros (translated as Gentlemen/ Knights in Spanish), a few weeks after he had released his seventh music album Latin Romance.
“Remembering two great musicians. B B King and Emiliano da Cruz. RIP,” were the first of hundreds of posts that were put up on Emiliano’s wall by Goa’s radio jockey, musician and master of ceremonies Mark Rocha.
In the midst of mourning and silence as Herald walked into the100 year old house in Loutolim, Vanxim, where he lived after his marriage, the ancient Portuguese house was being prepared for his final journey on May 17, where Emiliano’s requests are being kept in mind. The perfectionist, saw his end coming as his health started failing to a point of no return. He wanted a particular photo be used for the obituary, his album Latin Romance be played while his coffin moved out of the house and most importantly that he be buried at his ancestral village of Curtorim. And that is exactly the way the script will play out on Sunday May 17, the day of his funeral.
“ Emiliano never liked people idle their time and would never do it himself. Music, farming, piggery and so many things. A few days back he asked me to buy him a wheelchair because he wanted to sit and teach his grand-daughter the guitar. He also wanted to do up his ancestral house. After achieving so much he yearned to do more,” remembers Lilia da Cruz his wife, as she sits by the window and looks out in nostalgia while documenting his obituary for the newspaper.
Lilia tells us how he returned to Goa in 1982 to spend time with his family and believed he can move his profession here because he was so passionate about his land and wanted to be in Goa.
Zubin remembering his father and his great achievements in Bollywood and showing us pictures of Emiliano serenading for Indian president Zail Singh, Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and many other great leaders remembers a little joke that his daddy told him.
“ Papa was a mood setter and was the life of a party. He would pick his violin at any party and sing and get everyone dancing. He had his band Gay Caballeros with Oscar Rosario, Avelino Cardozo and Mario Menezes played all over his lovely latin and classical music. He wanted to be the happy guy and called themselves Gay Caballeros. Only in the 80’s when some gifted him a Playboy magazine and he realized the connotations the word “Gay” might have and renamed the band to Caballeros,” says Zubin who wants Goa to remember his father’s State awards, melodious voice and happy face and laughter.
The family also shares with us how he was all set to give an interview on May 12 to Doordarshan but had to reschedule because of bad health but unfortunately that’s called off forever. Father of three and grandfather of two kids, Emiliano is remembered for his love songs and the Caballero who romanced the world.
Shailesh Sanzgiri, a former food and beverage manager remembers how Emiliano helped rebuild the traditional ambience at O'Coqueiro, Porvorim, Goa, performing with his band every Friday evening from November 2004.
While condolences poured in, some in the village also stated that from today the choirs of angels will sound even more splendid as one of the best joins them. His music maybe inspiring but the best part of ‘uncle’ Emiliano da Cruz will always be his heart and his smile.
Emiliano’s ‘Gay Caballeros’ brought Latin music right to the table at restaurants in 1970s Bombay. In 1968, a young 23 year old Emiliano da Cruz made his way to Bombay, with a letter from his mentor Dominic Pereira. The letter was addressed to Sebastian D’Souza, then a musician who worked with Shankar Jaikishan. From Lootmar to Yaarana, Emiliano performed in Bollywood films with his music. A residency at the Taj Mahal Hotel followed and the Cabelleros broke new ground in music. In 1982, Emiliano and Lilia’s marriage meant that the violin maestro planned a move back to the Goa he had left all those years ago. Since he was a regular at the Taj then, he ‘transferred’ his gig to the Taj Aguada and the Holiday Village in Sinquerim.
“I played for Margaret Thatcher and Indira Gandhi during the CHOGM meeting at the Taj Aguada”, is what he would always remember with pride. He would always be proud of playing for Rajiv Gandhi too and Indian President Shankar Dayal Sharma. “ Papa cherished his days in Bombay and lived with great memories, I can’t forget when he approached me and asked what I want to play and he trained me in music. His music is in my heart forever,” asserts Zubin who remembers how Lorna recently visited him Emiliano at home and they spoke their heart out about Bombay, Bollywood and music.
32 years later, the mandolin and the violin will gently weep and the music will pause. But just for a bit. He was a legend and is legendry music will live eternally.
For Loutolim it’s its second big loss span of three years. It lost its great son Mario Miranda and now its beloved son in law Emiliano.