Remembering Diago D’Souza, my Jesuit friend for 55 years is for me to remember forever the favourite line of Jesuit Gerard Manley Hopkins – “There lives the dearest Freshness deep down things.” Diago was always fresh and brought freshness wherever he went. He was a musician, singer, actor, a persuasive speaker and an attentive listener. He delighted in imitating some of our Jesuit companions, capturing their typical traits. He wanted others to be happy and joyful like him. His joyful mood never allowed him to be fearful or to give in to any tragic event.
Music was in Diago’s blood; music was his real nature. We knew this when he was approaching from the favourite tunes he hummed in the corridors. He was an excellent violinist and later mastered the harmonium too. Our Provincial used to call him ‘Mohini Master’, a magician who could charm all around him.
Diago spent all his life working for the upliftment of the poor. He was taken up by the idea of Concientization and devoted his energies and talents in this direction. He composed innumerable songs and street plays which were put to good use in the Narmada Bachao Andolan and in the many villages where he worked. His voice and songs were an energy booster for the people who would join in with full gusto. All this was done with no regard for his own health or well being.
The beatitude Diago closely followed was the seventh one – Blessed are the Peace makers. In this ‘Be-Attitude’ he saw the Bright Face of the One whom he followed – the face of Jesus Christ. A great poet of Maharashtra, Narayan Vaman Tilak, referring to Balkavi Thomre, wrote a passionate poem, ‘My little bird, will you ever come back?’ He tells the Bird, “Please come back at least once to taste my bitter tears”. Yes, you and I, all wish the same from our beloved Diago Bhau, isn’t it?
Tony George, SJ
