Music legend Anthony Gonsalves no more

Anthony Prabhu Gonsalves, India's first music 'arranger' died on Wednesday, he was 84. Born in Majorda, a coastal village near to Margao in Goa, Anthony Gonsalves' love for music led him to merge Goan melody with Hindustani music, reports Aaron Pereira.

Anthony Prabhu Gonsalves, India's first music 'arranger' died on Wednesday, he was 84. Born in Majorda, a coastal village near to Margao in Goa, Anthony Gonsalves' love for music led him to merge Goan melody with Hindustani music.

Gonsalves,survived by his wife Melita, son Kiran and daughter Lakshmi, died at Goa Medical College, Bambolim. He was suffering from pneumonia and low blood pressure. His funeral is likely to take place on Sunday, after his son returns from the US.

Gonsalves, was also a teacher and has taught music legends that include RD Burman and Pyarelal Ramprasad Sharma.

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The famous song 'My name is Anthony Gonsalves', from the film 'Amar Akbar Anthony' was Pyarelal's tribute to Gonsalves.

Gonsalves began his career with Bombay Talkies in 1943. He worked alongside musicians which include Anil Bishwas, Gulam Haidar, Shyam Sundar, Naushad, Sachin Dev Burman, Ghulam Mohammed, Salil Chowdhary and Madan Mohan. In the year 1958, he founded a 110-musician strong Indian Symphony Orchestra featuring Lata Mangueshkar and Manna Dey as soloists. The orchestra was successfully premiered in the quadrangle of St Xavier’s College in erstwhile south Bombay.

During the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2010, a documentary titled "Anthony Gonsalves: The Music Legend" based on his life and works won the Special Jury Award.

Bollywood celebs mourn Gonsalves' death on Twitter:

@Actor_Siddharth: The legendary Anthony Gonsalves passed away last evening...the violin will never be the same again. RIP:(

@SrBachchan: T 628 -Anthony Gonsalves .. passes away .. talented musician with LP and on his name my character name for AAAnthony was put ..prayers !!