The real 'Anthony Gonsalves' no more

Anthony Gonsalves, a Goan orchestra maestro and the man to whom the legendary Bollywood song "My Name is Anthony Gonsalves" was dedicated, is dead.

Gonsalves, 84, who was suffering from pneumonia in the last few days, died in his hospital bed at the Goa Medical College Wednesday night.

An orchestra maestro and a capable music arranger, known for his magical violin skills, had worked with well-known composer duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal, who had dedicated the "Amar Akbar Anthony" song to the Goan musician.

Gonsalves, who also worked with renowned music director S.D. Burman, was associated with "Pyaasa", directed by Guru Dutt, B.R. Chopra's iconic film "Naya Daur" among several other chartbusting films of the time.

Gonsalves who used to play the violin in the choir at the Majorda church, 45 km from here, migrated to Mumbai in the pre-independence era and earned his laurels with Naushad, a great music director of the time.

Gonsalves is survived by his wife Melita, son Kiran and daughter Laxmi.