Heartbeatgoa.memories -The traffic cop stood transfixed. - Francis Rodrigues, Toronto

She was more beautiful than he had ever seen.Dancing eyes, dimpled chin, a dancing queen. Her name was Hema Malini.Hindi movie mega-star. And that afternoon in Vasco, Goa, almost fourdecades ago, she paralysed traffic andpedestrians alike. The following week, at the nearby Natraj theatre,three young studs in matching black-and-whiteoutfits walted onstage, yodelling to rapturousapplause. The Mendes brothers. After the intermission, a piece of miracletheatre. A beautiful young blonde hippy girl,impersonated to perfection by Derrick Mendes,strolled to and fro, to catcalls. Then, Felix Mendes, approaching perfection inpink crimplene top and silky jeans, unbelievablyportrayed Hema Malini in Goa again, dancing andsinging a beautiful soprano. The crowd wasdelirious. As he exited, the piece de resistance. A gorgeous, dark-skinned, statuesque thick-lippedmulatto, announced as "Monica from Mozambique!",played by the final Mendes brother. The audience grew out of control. And when "Monica" parted those huge orange lips,and a beautiful treble emerged singing "EncostaTua Cabecinha" the crowd rioted. Notes wereshowered onstage, many wiped a tear, and wildcheers shook the rafters. Such were the progeny of the great AnthonyMendes. A comedic genius who towered aboveKonkani tiatr, a master of gesture and farce whohimself rose to fame on a brilliant piece of song,"Taxi Driver". Who can forget his Charlie-Chaplin imitations inthe classic "Amchem Noxib" as Vales, the heroDr. Monteiro's zany compounder sidekick? In the "Greatest Konkani Song Hits, Vol. 1",amongst the many treasures, you'll find"Bencnaita Pai", or "Sweater Kori", as Valesdelightfully serenades his beloved Maria. Just eighteen days....officially....to go! In the meanwhile, enjoy! "Sweater Kori"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGm6ML12AIQ Musically yours,Francis.P.S. Of course, you do remember, copies at theSongBook's Goa launch, on Sunday 9 Aug. at theKala Academy (4 pm), will be available at a 20%discount. Just once. And of course, don't missthe free concert, free refreshments, freeautographs - bring a friend, bring the family,make it an unforgettable date!