Since early December, Matharpacady Village wore a festive look, coming alive at sundown with all the bylanes decorated with twinkle lights, and illuminative decorative symbols of Stars, Angels, Reindeer, Candy Sticks.
During the whole season we had groups of people going around the decorated by lanes of our charming Heritage Village.
Along with its unique ambience best experienced during Christmas and the Feast of the Holy Cross, Matharpacady Village has an active residents’ association fighting hard to adapt and accommodate into the fast changing city around, to survive the onslaught of urbanisation and salvage one of the few remnants of Old Bombay.
We want the government to see the potential for heritage tourism here. In this context, the Residents Welfare Association has submitted suggestions to the Mumbai Heritage Committee for the up gradation, protection, and maintenance of our unique Heritage Village Precinct and safeguarding this cultural gem.
May the Spirit of this season bring Joy, Hope and Love to the hearts of many – Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
(A guide to the Guides. And!!!!!!! We’ve got a Nostalgia Quizzz this Saturday, June 27, 2020. All the clues are hidden here)
I once heard it said that a building represents a “store of energy”. In my view when we tear it down for “redevelopment” it’s not just physics that stands negated. It’s the expectations, desires and spiritual energies that get consigned to the graveyard of hope. In the Village some lovely houses have gone… But here, for your pleasure, it’s “yesterday once more”:
Antonio Restless?
This was once the prettiest house in the Village. Antonio Rest. No more. Torn down to make way for a modern monstrosity. In this house late Audrey Concescio would create the loveliest decorated marzipan eggs for Easter. She and her late sister, Dilys Remedios would prepare baskets of delicate flowers to decorate the streets for the Cross Feast. In yesteryear pink bougainvillea covered its roof and asparagus fern trailed along one side of the entrance. Pretty as a picture, as they say. Here’s an interview of one of its last residents, the late Tyronne Concescio done by Vincent Mascarenhas:
Where this building stands, once stood a sprawling bungalow, Militia House whose verandah was bigger than most people’s sitting rooms. In those days, “militia” symbolized the boys who were fighting against Hitler, Nazis and fascism. The property housed the Militia Club which included a full-sized badminton clay court. A place where matches were made and hearts were won.
Mazagon Pier
Matharpacady Village’s most popular evening attraction. It was an easy stroll even for elderly members from the Village down Ganga Bawdi, past Ciba’s across the road past the Church through the bazaar and straight to the Pier. No steep hill to climb. The added attraction especially for the ladies, were the handsome cadets that the motor launch from the M.V. Dufferin landed. T.S. Rajendra later replaced the Dufferin. Mazagon Pier has now been swallowed up by Mazagon Dock.
The Age of the Beatles and Beat Groups
Once upon a time the ground floor of Marian Villa was packed with teenagers, friends of the Stevens’ children. It was the age of the Beatles, and here, duly inspired, the Caravelles, Matharpacady’s own beat group was born: late Ozzie Stevens (piano), late Alan Valentine (lead guitar), Stanley Francis (Australia), Desmond Rego (London), Stuart Do Remedios (guitar, USA) and Bonnie (Drums).
Matharpacady may be a small village but some residents have played on the national stage. The landlord of Marian Villa was one of them: Dr Mafaldo Ubaldo Mascarenhas.
In fact, Dr. Mascarenhas Road bounding Matharpacady on one side, was named after him. He was the 19th Mayor and the first Indian Mayor of free Bombay (1948-49. Mayoral inaugration was held on November 22, 1948).
Dr Ubaldo Mascarenhas with Pandit Nehru
Dr. Gerald Mascarehnas and Dr. Allwyn Mascarenhas (Dr. Ubaldo’s grand nephews) continue to serve the sick and ailing in Byculla and Mazagon while Vincent Mascarenhas is the current President of our Matharpacady Holy Cross Committee.
It is said that Dr. Ubaldo was an Indian Freedom Fighter and fought for the return of Goa from Portugal. He was therefore blacklisted by the Portuguese government and his landed properties were confiscated.
It’s rare to find people like him these days where all netashave an agenda.
The Cottage before “Village Villa”
The D’Mellos treated all their neighbours as family. Aunty Louie cooked the most delectable salt tongue, pan rolls and potato chops as well as an assortment of Christmas sweets and goodies. Neighbours got to taste, invited or not! No limit to generosity here.
Uncle Wency would pick a lucky boy to accompany him to the Port Trust office in the docks, from where the lad got a much-prized view of the ships in the docks. The mission was to pick up ship’s flags for the Cross Feast Vespers. These decorations were suspended along house walls, starting from the Cross, on both sides, all the way up to Maud Baptista’s house. Seen above are old style tiles in partial exterior views of the Village’s oldest cottage.
Winifred House – gone with the wind
Theo Turner’s legacy and named after Winifred (Winnie), his eldest child. The Matharpacady Club was where people from Mazagon and Byculla as well as all over Mumbai got together: Billiards, Snookers, cards, a Christmas Tree and Sunday Housie. Every worthy Billiards great has played on its table. The Sunday Housie was more of a social event where gents and ladies – RCs, Parsis and others belonging to a variety of communities, from as far away as Colaba, at one end and Bandra at the other turned up perfumed and in their Sunday best. Now a ghost of Matharpacady Past.
The Busy Bees
This terrace above the Exide Battery Service Station in Rear Helal Building was once one of the most sought-after spots: the place where the Busy Bees used to rehearse. Fender Stratocaster guitars and high-powered amps, as well as great musicians, drew throngs on the terrace and windows opposite. The Busybee Band was Allan Valentine on lead, Mario on drums, Bridgenell -bass. The guy on rhythm was from lower level & Nelson Vaz’s elder brother sang vocals.
Ah Norman! Norman Rosario, a tall well known figure in the Village was one of their biggest fans. He’d catch hold of anyone whom he came across to extoll the musical prowess of Allan and the impressive array of Fender equipment that the band possessed. That’s to say, by the Busy Bees, was Norman completely possessed…
Steps to the Sea?
The Portuguese and following them Goan Brahmins prided themselves on living on the altinhos of Goa’s cities. Well Matharpacady is an altinho as these steps above indicate, an extension of one of Mazagon Island’s ranges.
Mazagon (Bhandarwada) Hill (Joseph Baptista Garden) is the other. That’s not the most exciting fact. Way before P D’mello was a living person and later a road name, the steep slope that extends from these steps down Champsi Bhimji Road past Mazagon Tower and Hatimi Mohalla to the main road, took you straight to the sea long before where the main road now begins. At that time it was probably a rocky and muddy path. And, as if to remind you that Bombay (now Mumbai) was reclaimed from the sea on full moon nights when the tide is up you can smell the sea in Matharpacady and if you’re familiar with it, you get the whiff of the coal tar on the dock walls as the waves lash them.
Don’t believe me? Study these maps:
One of these shows original land v/s reclamations. The first, though shows the original island and its hills. See the hills on Mazagon Island: Mazagon Hill to the South (now Joseph Baptista Gardens) and the hill range on which Mariah Hill currently stands, incorporating the gunpowder works and the Matharpacady altinho. Hill slopes descended straight to the sea. When the harbour branch was built, two bridges, it appears from the map, were necessary: span between Mazagon and Mariah Hills and another to span the road before the Reay Road Station. Given that the intervening land has subsequently been flattened and leveled to create roads and seeing that the original hills descended all the way to the sea, but for a narrow promontory makes us believe that the slope starting at the Matharpacady steps ended up in the sea. So exciting!
This is the second in our series of nostalgic picture tours of the Village. You are recommended to study it carefully because there’s a bonus … the exciting Nostalgia Quizzz slated for Saturday, June 27, 2020, is getting ready and the clues are hidden here…
Once again Captain Julius Valladares and his team of organisers – Canute Monteiro, Shaila Baptista and our evergreen comedian Merwyn D’Mello outdid themselves with a hugely appreciated “Christmas Tree” for kids. Some forty kids and their parents cutting across all castes, creeds and religions. It is funny that Julius chose the village’s overgrown kid Roydon to emcee the games. Quite the ‘boy who never grew up”, Roydon in the Passing Santa’s Cap game for the little tots allowed himself to be bullied by the little ones into not declaring anyone out for several rounds. Finally Shaila, ever the kind but firm Mommy, stepped in to eliminate the kids stuck with the hat. Food is one things kids never tire of and there were plenty of snacks and refreshing drinks. In keeping with our “save the environment” ethos, all ate to their heart’s content but strategically positioned dustbins received all the wastes, thus saving the environment. We have hope in our future generation. A kind of Grand March to spirited music had kids from the youngest to the oldest march around the square culminating in a dance that kids are natural at. A game for slightly older kids saw kids running and pushing for seats although everyone was assured a seat at the proverbial table. Says so much for human nature. Elimination was by lucky or unlucky draw of mini icons of the Christmas Icons that were stuck on the chairs. Too bad for the kid who’s seat was perched on the drawn symbol! The oldest batch were tested on both leadership and team behaviour as well as their ability to interpret series of pictorial clues related to Carols in a Guess the Carols contest. Our participants all proved to be intelligent because the difference between inning teams was very thin. Finally it was time for Santa Claus to make his appearance and Merwyn in costume, bell in hand proved more than able to set all bells a-ringing with the kids flocking behind him waiting eagerly for the toffees and chocolates to be handed out from his goody bag. While prizes, spot prizes and presents were being handed out by Santa, to our great delight our Parish Priest Fr Nigel Barret put in a surprise appearance. When it was all over their daddies and mommies (mainly mommies) took “them home to bed because they were tired little teddy bears”. We have it on authority that the mommies enjoyed it all as much as the kids did!
On Wednesday evening, 1st May 2019, over 325 residents and friends assembled around the decorated stage and altar near the Holy Cross Oratory, to devoutly participate in praise, song and worship at the Feast Mass. The Managing Committee organized the 144th Thanksgiving Novena Services and Feast Mass Celebrations. This tradition has been handed down by our forefathers down the decades for well over a century to protect the resident families from the scourge of plague and pestilence. The traditional Novena Services include the recitation of the Holy Rosary, and the Litany of Our Lady, the Litany of the Holy Cross and the Litany of St. Roque [patron saint to safeguard us from plague and pestilence]. The nine day Novena Services commenced on Easter Monday, 22nd April and were well attended.
Reverend Father Lawrie Ferrao S.J., Parish Priest, St. Anne’s Church, Mazagon, was the Chief Celebrant at the Cross Feast Mass. Reverend Father Ruban, of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers, concelebrated the Feast Mass. As the Priests solemnly came in procession from “Eymard Cottage” [Headquarters of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers at 22 Matharpacady] to the Altar, Mr. Noel Viegas welcomed them on behalf of the Managing Committee and all present. The choir, requested the faithful to join in singing the entrance hymn “Here We Are” whole-heartedly as the Eucharistic Sacrifice began. During the homily, Father Lawrie emphasized on the need for all of us to accept our daily trials and tribulations in life as “Crosses” taking them up and bearing them in the spirit of true Christian faith. At the end of it all, it all comes down to the choices we make and how much we love. We have chosen to carry on this age old tradition of celebrating this feast, in thanksgiving to the Cross for having saved us from the plague which destroyed so many 144 years ago. And now in our daily lives, living here in Matharpacady, by consciously choosing to love and help each other, we thus pledge our love to the Cross, which saved us then and continues to save us now. The Celebrants blessed the congregation with the True Relic of the Cross as Holy Mass ended. At her Vote of Thanks, Mrs. Carole Viegas, President, expressed the Committee’s gratitude to Rev. Fr. Lawrie Ferrao for celebrating the Feast Mass and his inspiring homily, to Rev. Fr. Peter J. and the Blessed Sacrament Fathers for their constant support to the community, Rev. Fr. Herman Almeida, our Parish Priest, the Choir, the Trustees of St. Isabel’s High School, decorators, donors, benefactors and volunteers. The choir sang harmoniously hymns of praise and worship as residents went to the Holy Cross Oratory to kiss and venerate the Relic of the Cross and collect their boiled gram, cake, patties and cold drink.
The melodious singing by Sarah Dias and Elijah Monteiro of a duet “A Million Dreams” kept the audience rapt with attention. There were repeated rounds of applause and appreciation from the audience for the two of them. Thereafter, Desmond Baptista and Stanislaus Baptista kept folk happy and excited as they waited for Dame Fortune to smile on them during couple of games of “Housie”, Bingo! Many lucky ones did strike it rich on our Feast Day.
Compiled by Stanislaus Baptista, Treasurer, Matharpacady Holy Cross Oratory Committee
“Now tell me, do I look that old?“ asked Mauro Alphonso, grinning as he posed for photographs, his violin in tow. He certainly did not.
As he laughed and chatted with family members on Monday evening, and recollected anecdotes from years ago, it was hard to believe the Mazgaon resident was celebrating his 100th birthday . The occasion marked not only a century of an adventure-filled life, but also several decades of old Bombay’s musical heritage, of which the garrulous gentleman had been a vital part.
Alphonso was 12 years old when he left his home in Goa’s Taleigaon village and moved to Mumbai to pursue his love for music. Soon, he specialized in playing the violin.
The early days of his career saw Alphonso playing with the Mehli Mehta Orchestra, and then leading several other orchestras in Bombay .During the 1940s, Alphonso was popular on the city’s music circuit. He performed with artistes like Dominic Pereira and Gopi Krishna, and was a familiar face at gigs hosted by venues like the Taj Mahal hotel, at Parsi weddings and even on All India Radio.
At a special party on Sunday , the family plans to ensure the celebration does full justice to grandpa Alphonso, who ensured future generations didn’t fall out of tune. His three sons inherited his love for music and played at the Taj, when they were as young as 6, 9 and 12 years old respectively . Alphonso also formed the Alph Brothers group (it was later called Alph Tzigane Trio) with them. TNN
Source : The Times of India, 30th June 2015, Page 3.
On Monday, 8th June 2015 around 35 persons from TOGA, The Tourist Guide Association of Mumbai visited our village at around 8.30 am. They were welcomed by the committee members of the Matharpacady Residents Welfare Association and the Holy Cross Oratory. Julius Valladares and Hansel Baptista took them around the village precinct and explained the history of the various landmarks in the area alongwith the other committee members. They were taken aback on being welcomed warmly by our residents and appreciated the cleanliness and maintenance being done to preserve our area. In fact, many of them mentioned that our village scores higher points on quite a few aspects with respect to Khotachiwadi. After the tour round the village – significance of the Holy Cross Oratory, the village well, the numerous well maintained bungalows as well as a visit to the Club of Paroda – they were treated to some light snacks and cold drinks at the residence of Hansel Baptista. A short video was screened for them highlighting the various cottages and areas of the village. A small memento presented to each and every member on behalf of the village was greatly appreciated by them.
We given below a couple of messages received from some of them after their visit :
Dear Mr.D`Souza,
TOGA, the Tourist Guide Association of Mumbai, are extremely happy at the welcome and hospitality the residents of Matharpacady laid out for us today.
The love and pride you have for your heritage and the unity, bonhomie and affection between the residents will be etched in our memory forever.
We will forward your information to tour operators to make your village famous. And we will send you all the contacts essential for the preservation of your village for your next generation.
We thank you for your heartful hospitality.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
For TOGA Jerroo Bharrucha
President”
Mr Manas A – The pleasure was all ours. We had a great time & were touched with your hospitality. We will certainly ……
Mr Arun S – The whole group really enjoyed your talk and appreciated the effort of the community in making our trip a wonderful experience – Thanks once again for the effort.
Preparatory Novena Services at the Holy Cross Oratory in Matharpacady Heritage Precinct commenced on Tuesday, 22nd April 2015. Managing Committee Member Mr. Hansel Baptista appointed daily Prayer Leaders from all areas of the village and ably organized the services, which were attended by about 100 persons. Traditional distribution of boiled gram was done by Mrs. Muriel Baptista. Captain Julius Valladares and his team of youth made lip smacking sev-puri, ragda puri and medhu vadas on separate Novena days that the faithful relished. High points of the Novena on penultimate days, organized by Hansel, was a Pentitential Service with Confessions heard by Rev. Father Dhanam at “Eymard Cottage”, the Blessed Sacrament Headquarters on 29th April 2015, and, a Holy Half-Hour Silent Adoration Service on 30th April 2015, which was well attended. We are grateful to Rev. Father Frank Fernandes, Parish Priest, Rosary Church, for his kind permission to our Managing Committee.
Catholic resident families with their relatives, guests and well wishers gathered in large numbers in the heart of Matharpacady Heritage Village for the landmark religious and festive celebrations on Friday evening, 1st May 2015. His Lordship Bishop John Rodrigues, the Rector of St. Pius X College at Goregaon, with concelebrant Rev. Father Dhanam were escorted in a solemn procession from the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at ‘Eymard Cottage’ to the newly renovated Holy Cross Oratory. His Grace Bishop John Rodrigues was welcomed by the assembly of over 350 devout people and the chiming of the Oratory bell. Intoning solemn prayers whilst incensing the original heritage Holy Cross and Oratory, His Lordship invoked God’s abundant blessings on the residents and families, before blessing a commemorative brass plaque installed in front of the Oratory. He then proceeded to the raised beautifully decorated center-stage to celebrate the Eucharistic Sacrifice along with Rev. Father Dhanam of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers. In an inspiring homily, His Grace Bishop John fondly recollected his boyhood days spent along with his brothers Luke and Savio at the home of their Uncle Wency and Aunty Rose D’Mello, Their bungalow was adjacent to the Cross Oratory. Throughout his homily Bishop John emphasized that God the Father and Jesus ask nothing at all from us despite all our human failings. We should keep our hearts and minds always open to receive their boundless love and divine gifts, personified in the outstretched arms of Jesus on the Cross. He hoped we would continue in good faith our religious traditions of honoring the Holy Cross down the decades, as the Cross of Christ is the sole means of protecting us from harm and evil. The zestful choir, well trained by Austin Alphonso, gladdened the hearts of the faithful as they led in glorious song and praise to the Lord. Hansel Baptista and Vincent Mascarenhas did a commendable job with the Mass liturgy, the choir, and after the Final Blessing with the Relic of the True Cross, the veneration of the Relic at the Oratory. Volunteers disbursed a box of tasty refreshments to every person who attended the Feast Mass.
The Managing Committee organized an entertainment program for His Grace Bishop John Rodrigues, Rev. Father Dhanam, our main benefactors for the renovated Oratory – Brendon and Therese Pereira, other guests and the large audience. Little children, the youth and even adults staged good performances with songs and dance, to the constant applause of an appreciative audience. Thereafter, games of ‘housie’ kept people happy with their fingers crossed for Dame Fortune to smile and reward them. During the entertainment and ‘housie’, mango juice was served freely to one and all to quench their thirst and clamour for more fun filled events by the Managing Committees of the Holy Cross Oratory and the Matharpacady Residents Welfare Association.
The Managing Committee wishes to thank all the donors and benefactors who so generously contributed towards defraying the expenses for the renovation of the Oratory as well as the expenses towards the Novena and Feast Day celebrations.
The idyllic and picturesque bylanes of Matharpacady Heritage Village in Mazagaon, Mumbai, were transformed on Saturday, 22nd November 2014. Gifted culinary amateur chefs were busy throughout the day preparing tasty snacks, meals and desserts for the second annual food fiesta that evening. The Matharpacady Residents’ Welfare Association was showcasing for its members, their families, guests and well-wishers the “FIESTA TRADICIONAL COMIDA” at St. Isabel’s High School Grounds from 5.00 P.M. onwards. Matharpacady Village resident families were cooking up a storm of traditional culinary delights, be it East Indian, Goan, Mangalorean or ‘hotchpotch’! Throughout that day the tantalizing aromas of home cooked goodies wafted in the air teasing the taste buds of visitors. Folk could not wait for the evening to arrive.
The Managing Committee of the Residents’ Welfare Association led by their dynamic President, Mr Percy D’Souza took great pains to organize the Traditional Food Fiesta – well laid out donor entry coupons in exchange for snacks, refreshments and meals laid out around the periphery corridors and compound at St. Isabel’s. Julius Valladares was the coordinator of the Managing Committee of the MRWA in planning and organising this event. All visitors were accorded a hearty welcome by the ebullient duo of Merwyn D”Mello and Xenia Alphonso who anchored the Fiesta. Joceyln did the honours with an excellent sound system. Around 5.30 P.M. the evening of fun, games and entertainment got off to a rousing start. An efficient team in the hall ably handled the donor coupon counters for eatable and soft drinks supervised by Gerard Viegas, MRWA Assistant Treasurer. Amateur culinary village chefs and their assistants manned their earmarked food counters in the porch, corridor and central courtyard. They smilingly dished out their goodies of appetizing snacks, delicacies and take away food dishes at nominal prices.
Xenia and Merwyn set the Fiesta abuzz with much merriment, fun and games, inviting the large gathering of children, teenagers, adults and senior citizens onto the floor. After a rousing grand march which set feet tapping, hands clapping and bodies swaying to the beat of music, a introductory game of drawing playing cards from decks of playing cards led to mixed teams of diamonds, hearts, clubs and spades spaced around the courtyard by the Joker Merwyn. Innovative team games – Hanky Panky, Moving it Up, This Blows – began. These were meticulously planned by Merwyn and Xenia, who were vociferously supported by an enthusiastic audience who shouted and encouraged competing teams as they raced to the finish. Teams competed in eight events, each of the games was immensely enjoyed by all the members of the teams and the vociferous spectators. Stan Baptista did a masterful job in planning and projecting on screen an enigmatic quiz based ON EVENTS, PLACES AND RESIDENTS OF Matharpacady Heritage Village, from the yesteryears to date. Team members scratched their heads, racked their brains and came up with various answers. Xenia and Merwyn with Julius, urged team members on. The scoreboard highlighted each team’s score. All the teams were awarded prizes in ranking order to the rousing applause of spectators. Merwyn made two dramatic and startling appearances midway among the games and dancing sessions – lo and behold, Merwyn the Clown regaled the kiddies and audience with his antics. Yet again Merwyn the ebullient Charlie Chaplin stole the hearts of one and all, with Xenia doing a fantastic job of compering the entertainment program.
Merwyn “Charlie Chaplin” and Xenia led the teams and spectators in the Grand Parade to the pulsating music dished out by maestro Joceyln. Folks danced the evening away with fox trots, waltzes, jive and the Masala in gay abandon. The snack, soft drinks and meal counters saw steady streams of visitors. Many food counters ran out of snack and food items quickly as hungry visitors relished the home cooked goodies, picking up takeaways for their loved ones at home. The vote of thanks was given by Julius to Comperes Merwyn D’Mello, Xenia Alphonso and Joceyln Pereira, to all the Traditional Home Chefs, the Trustees of St. Isabel’s High School, the Managing Committee Members, and most importantly the visitors and guests, for making the Food Fiesta a grand success. Around 10.30 P.M. the Culinary Evening to remember drew to a close.
Around 30 students from the overseas exchange programme of Dhirubhai Ambani International school visited Matharpacady on Wednesday, 22nd October ’14. The students were from Spain, the Czech Republic, & England. Hansel Baptista took them around the village giving them an insight into the history of our village. (more…)
