End of an Era: Remembering Mario Cabral
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Frederick Noronha
Jun 20, 2023, 11:48:49 AM6/20/23
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In The Goan (June 20, 2023)
********
End of an Era: Remembering Mario Cabral
Frederick Noronha
With some trepidation, I asked the question to the senior journalist, the first whom I encountered in the Press Room at the old Adil Shahi Palace in Panjim. "I've joined the Deccan Herald, and have just applied for my accreditation. Is it okay if I enter here till the time I get it?"
In those days, the small Press Room was empty for much of the day. Except at the 4 pm tea break, and the morning peak hour. The media in Goa was yet to expand as it later did. Outside it was the foreboding sign: "For accredited journalists only."
We had all heard of the reputation of Mario Cabral e Sa, who, news trickling in on Monday evening, told us, had just passed away earlier that morning in Bombay/Mumbai. He had been with his family there for many years, after leaving the village and land he loved, the island of Divar.
Mario thought for a second or two, and was quick with his repartee. "This place is now like a second-class unreserved train compartment. One or two passengers, more or less, won't make much of a difference," he told me.
It took me a while to marvel at the intricacy of his reply. He had managed to make his point without saying a rude 'no'. Nor had he said an unequivocal 'yes', which one could have taken as a license!
Over time, we became friends, even though we were almost a generation apart, and, at times, writing for competing markets. Or even being on different sides of the fence, quite often.
* * *
Mario kept pushing us to do better. He must have been in his 50s when we were in our 20s. Yet, he was unflagging in his persistence and determination.
"What the bloody hell are you doing here?" he demanded of us, on the day we heard of the killing at distant Varca in an encounter of an Alemao brother. At his suggestion, we pooled our resources, and took a taxi to Varca and the Margao Hospicio, to follow up on that story.
In those times, journalism was still under-resourced, and we were happy to wait for a story to fall in our lap. We made that trip, and learnt a lot.
Later, we would hear of Mario's days (in the late 1960s and early 1970s) when he lead a small publication called "The Goan Monitor". It was run by the Sequeiras, Jack and his son Erasmo, then prominent Opposition politicians.
There, he managed to mentor some great journalists including the late Ivan Fera (who died too early, at 36). Some of his mentees might have not continued to see eye-to-eye with Mario, but that's part of the growth process. It happens.
One day, almost 14 years ago, the journalist Devika Sequeira felt that that generation was fast moving on, probably even being forgotten. She invited a few of us to lunch with the seniors. Among them, there were journalists no longer with us -- Gurudas Singbal, too. Not sure if Jagdish Wagh and Balaji Gaunekar from that first post-1961 generation were there as well.
As was one's wont, without thinking too much over it, I whipped out my modest TheFlip camera and asked Mario to share with me a few reminiscences. Those remain on YouTube, here http://t.ly/BZCU and here http://t.ly/cSH-
In these brief encounters, Mario Cabral e Sa explains about journalism in his times, stretching back to the Portuguese days and how it changed subsequently. These are episodic (and some may say, selective) remembrances no doubt. But it also gives an insight into how an individual encountered the dramatic changes. And his memories of the same.
* * *
Every one of the journalists of our time has his or her own "Mario moment". As almost shy, young journalists we had a lot to learn from him.
It must have been after 1989, when the Congress tasted defeat at the hands of the JP Singh-led Janata Dal government, which replaced it. As was the trend, the party continued to send in some 'observers' from New Delhi. In Panjim, they were ensconced at the Mandovi Hotel, meeting local ruling state politicians behind closed doors. Mediapersons were waiting long hours for some word to emerge, or a press conference to be announced.
One could only imagine what was happening.
Mario took it upon himself to demand that the press get a chance to meet the high command emissaries, and not be kept waiting indefinitely. As the door opened, he took his opportunity to raise a ruckus.
Hearing the noise, the then Congress leader Buta Singh came out. "Ah, Mr Butsing (sic)," said Mario, telescoping two names together. If he was taken aback, Mario was prompt to hide it. He proceeded to give a lecture to the visiting politician from New Delhi as to how the Congress "had not yet learnt its lesson in humility despite losing the elections" and so on.
As the photographers were aiming their cameras, some security-man placed his palm flat in front of a photographer's lens. "Daryl, you shoot," said Mario.
Buta Singh, who was probably more familiar with rustic Punjabi rather than newsman's English, went on to give us all a lecture on how he was "not afraid of dying". Those were the days just after the Khalistani movement; but all that Mario was referring to was shooting a photograph! We all had a good laugh.
* * *
Mario was outspoken and also a hard taskmaster. One day I had promised him something. When I didn't deliver, he hand-wrote a note displayed it on the press room notice board. It read: "Rico, you are not as good as your word." By some coincidence, just a couple of days earlier, I was sharing this story with someone who was my age then.
His books -- on eminent Goans, and edited compilations on film and Goan music, among many others -- find a prominent place in my collection.
Mario had his critics, and probably deserved them. He was an articulate, smart, a one-man army, and influenced how the rest of the world saw Goa by his writings. While I was studying the Shyam Benegal film 'Trikaal' quite closely, having known Mario, I found his influences there. (Mario also worked on The Sea Wolves, another Hollywood top-starer of the early 1980s.)
At times activists and environmentalists didn't like the stands that the journalist-activist took. Once Mario shocked us all by saying, "Remember: Mario has only one friend. That is Mario himself." But this does not detract from the role Mario Cabral e Sa played during a crucial era of the growth of the press in Goa. Perhaps collating his less-easily-available works would be a good tribute to him.
--
********
End of an Era: Remembering Mario Cabral
Frederick Noronha
With some trepidation, I asked the question to the senior journalist, the first whom I encountered in the Press Room at the old Adil Shahi Palace in Panjim. "I've joined the Deccan Herald, and have just applied for my accreditation. Is it okay if I enter here till the time I get it?"
In those days, the small Press Room was empty for much of the day. Except at the 4 pm tea break, and the morning peak hour. The media in Goa was yet to expand as it later did. Outside it was the foreboding sign: "For accredited journalists only."
We had all heard of the reputation of Mario Cabral e Sa, who, news trickling in on Monday evening, told us, had just passed away earlier that morning in Bombay/Mumbai. He had been with his family there for many years, after leaving the village and land he loved, the island of Divar.
Mario thought for a second or two, and was quick with his repartee. "This place is now like a second-class unreserved train compartment. One or two passengers, more or less, won't make much of a difference," he told me.
It took me a while to marvel at the intricacy of his reply. He had managed to make his point without saying a rude 'no'. Nor had he said an unequivocal 'yes', which one could have taken as a license!
Over time, we became friends, even though we were almost a generation apart, and, at times, writing for competing markets. Or even being on different sides of the fence, quite often.
* * *
Mario kept pushing us to do better. He must have been in his 50s when we were in our 20s. Yet, he was unflagging in his persistence and determination.
"What the bloody hell are you doing here?" he demanded of us, on the day we heard of the killing at distant Varca in an encounter of an Alemao brother. At his suggestion, we pooled our resources, and took a taxi to Varca and the Margao Hospicio, to follow up on that story.
In those times, journalism was still under-resourced, and we were happy to wait for a story to fall in our lap. We made that trip, and learnt a lot.
Later, we would hear of Mario's days (in the late 1960s and early 1970s) when he lead a small publication called "The Goan Monitor". It was run by the Sequeiras, Jack and his son Erasmo, then prominent Opposition politicians.
There, he managed to mentor some great journalists including the late Ivan Fera (who died too early, at 36). Some of his mentees might have not continued to see eye-to-eye with Mario, but that's part of the growth process. It happens.
One day, almost 14 years ago, the journalist Devika Sequeira felt that that generation was fast moving on, probably even being forgotten. She invited a few of us to lunch with the seniors. Among them, there were journalists no longer with us -- Gurudas Singbal, too. Not sure if Jagdish Wagh and Balaji Gaunekar from that first post-1961 generation were there as well.
As was one's wont, without thinking too much over it, I whipped out my modest TheFlip camera and asked Mario to share with me a few reminiscences. Those remain on YouTube, here http://t.ly/BZCU and here http://t.ly/cSH-
In these brief encounters, Mario Cabral e Sa explains about journalism in his times, stretching back to the Portuguese days and how it changed subsequently. These are episodic (and some may say, selective) remembrances no doubt. But it also gives an insight into how an individual encountered the dramatic changes. And his memories of the same.
* * *
Every one of the journalists of our time has his or her own "Mario moment". As almost shy, young journalists we had a lot to learn from him.
It must have been after 1989, when the Congress tasted defeat at the hands of the JP Singh-led Janata Dal government, which replaced it. As was the trend, the party continued to send in some 'observers' from New Delhi. In Panjim, they were ensconced at the Mandovi Hotel, meeting local ruling state politicians behind closed doors. Mediapersons were waiting long hours for some word to emerge, or a press conference to be announced.
One could only imagine what was happening.
Mario took it upon himself to demand that the press get a chance to meet the high command emissaries, and not be kept waiting indefinitely. As the door opened, he took his opportunity to raise a ruckus.
Hearing the noise, the then Congress leader Buta Singh came out. "Ah, Mr Butsing (sic)," said Mario, telescoping two names together. If he was taken aback, Mario was prompt to hide it. He proceeded to give a lecture to the visiting politician from New Delhi as to how the Congress "had not yet learnt its lesson in humility despite losing the elections" and so on.
As the photographers were aiming their cameras, some security-man placed his palm flat in front of a photographer's lens. "Daryl, you shoot," said Mario.
Buta Singh, who was probably more familiar with rustic Punjabi rather than newsman's English, went on to give us all a lecture on how he was "not afraid of dying". Those were the days just after the Khalistani movement; but all that Mario was referring to was shooting a photograph! We all had a good laugh.
* * *
Mario was outspoken and also a hard taskmaster. One day I had promised him something. When I didn't deliver, he hand-wrote a note displayed it on the press room notice board. It read: "Rico, you are not as good as your word." By some coincidence, just a couple of days earlier, I was sharing this story with someone who was my age then.
His books -- on eminent Goans, and edited compilations on film and Goan music, among many others -- find a prominent place in my collection.
Mario had his critics, and probably deserved them. He was an articulate, smart, a one-man army, and influenced how the rest of the world saw Goa by his writings. While I was studying the Shyam Benegal film 'Trikaal' quite closely, having known Mario, I found his influences there. (Mario also worked on The Sea Wolves, another Hollywood top-starer of the early 1980s.)
At times activists and environmentalists didn't like the stands that the journalist-activist took. Once Mario shocked us all by saying, "Remember: Mario has only one friend. That is Mario himself." But this does not detract from the role Mario Cabral e Sa played during a crucial era of the growth of the press in Goa. Perhaps collating his less-easily-available works would be a good tribute to him.
FN * +91-9822122436 * 784 Saligao 403511 Bardez Goa
Roland Francis
Jun 20, 2023, 12:45:25 PM6/20/23
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Good memories Frederick.
I remember the time every substantial piece of news, journalism and opinion was by-lined Mario Cabral e Sa.
So dominant was his presence in the media output from Goa, that his name was synonymous with with every major news-making event there. Then suddenly the name disappeared with no one mourning the absence. Perhaps a new crop had arrived to take over collectively what was virtually a one man band.
Roland.
Toronto.
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Frederick Noronha
Jun 20, 2023, 3:23:34 PM6/20/23
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GUJ mourns death of well-known journalist and writer Mario Cabral
The Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ) mourns the passing away of well-known Goan journalist and prolific writer Mario Cabral E Sa at his Mumbai residence on Monday.
He was 91.
Born on June 29, 1932, Mario started his career in his mid-20s, and his reports on a wide range of subjects were published in several national and international newspapers. He was also an expert on Goa's folk history and culture and researched the scripts of a number of feature films and documentaries.
Popular books written by Mario include Goa, Konkannama, three volumes of Great Goans, Legends of Goa and Goa Pearl of the East.
Mario started the Goa Monitor daily in the early seventies, and after he was removed from the position due to differences of opinion, he freelanced for Blitz, Onlooker, Anand Bazaar Patrika group, The Times of India, Goa Today and many other publications.
The Goa Union of Journalists conveys its sincere sympathies to the family.
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Eugene Correia
Jun 20, 2023, 3:52:32 PM6/20/23
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Mario was an encyclopaedia on Goa. He took deep interest and gave his opinions as fiercely as he could. Meeting him a couple of times was indeed time well spent. When Erasmo de Sequeira met me in Goa (don't remember where and why) in Goa he asked me if I was interested in joining a paper he was going to launch. On my enquiries he said, The Goan Monitor, and when asked as to who is the editor, he said Mario Cabral e Sa I wasn't ready to move to Goa, and had just begun at Free Press Journal.
The name was familia and I had read his despatches from Goa, particularly in the Blitz, then Bombay hottest weekly. I still remember Mario's writing on rapes in Goa. If I remember, he also contributed to Onlooker, which was then under the FPJ.
I was often wondering why I haven't see Mario's byline in any of the Goa papers nor in mags publiehed elsewhere. He was regular, I think, in Goa Today. Maybe he had quit writing because of his old age.
However, I have seen his books, and I wish I could get his series on Goa's eminent persons. I didn't know he had moved to Mumbai. I went to Divar on my last visit to Goa and enquired but got no answer. No doubt, his loss of presence will be largely felt in Goa's journalism landscape, as well as political writing. Can't think of anyone who has come near to his journalistic output in Goa.
Eugene Correia
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Victor Rangel-ribeiro
Jun 21, 2023, 4:46:23 PM6/21/23
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Saddened to learn of the passing of Mario Cabral e Sa. His articles were a source of enlightenment to countless readers. May his soul rest in peace.
Victor Rangel-Ribeiro
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Michael Gonsalves
Jun 23, 2023, 8:46:59 AM6/23/23
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Mario was indeed a legend in his own right, engaging and controversial.
Dr Michael Gonsalves,
Senior Assistant Editor,
Financial Chronicle,
919, Synagogue Street,
Near Oriental Bank of Commerce,
Camp,
PUNE - 411 001
Cell: 9890881129
Financial Chronicle,
919, Synagogue Street,
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"He who wishes to secure the good of others, has already secured his own" -- Confucius.
"As a blind man has no idea of colors, so we have no idea of the manner by which the all-wise God perceives and understands all things." -- Isaac Newton
Website: www.mydigitalfc.com
"He who wishes to secure the good of others, has already secured his own" -- Confucius.
"As a blind man has no idea of colors, so we have no idea of the manner by which the all-wise God perceives and understands all things." -- Isaac Newton
"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracleآ -- Albert Einstein
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