<i>Il-Budaj</i>'s legacy

It is so heartening to witness the ripples that the passing away of Il-Budaj has stirred within relevant societal channels. A sure sign of an effective communicator and of the true artist; i.e. Il-Budaj.

I'm not at all sure though what Dr Gorg Mifsud Chircop (The Sunday Times, October 8) was trying to say. But I am so grateful to him for his ever wise "eye-opener". If he is trying to be comprehensive about Maltese ghana, then where is his omniscient knowledge about the ghana happenings in Australia (namely, Sydney and Melbourne)?

My article was certainly not intended to overlook Carmelo Pace or anyone else, but I reiterate, Toni Tal-Gebel's unique style and voice remain just that, as I originally stated - unique. I am also keenly aware of Pace's contribution to ghana music.

Dr Giuseppe Schembri's correspondence is so much more sedate and conducive to sensible dialogue. I am grateful to him for the additional information he volunteered, but again I reiterate that my brief segment was only ever intended as a well-earned tribute to a friend (Il-Budaj) and exceptional exponent of ghana.

Hence there was no need, in this fleeting accolade, to exhaust all avenues of our own indigenous Maltese musical genre. This would have taken a lot more than a mere few lines in a popular Sunday paper. (My very article actually states: "...no truly comprehensive rendition of all the steps in ghana's evolution since the Sixties, can be fully exhausted in this short article.")

I fully recognise Dr Schembri's sensibilities in his promotion of ghana music at the Strada Stretta venue and elsewhere. During one of my Malta visits, I attended one of Schembri's Dario Fo productions at Fgura, with Il-Budaj and Il-Bahri participating. (And yes, I gratefully welcome Dr Schembri's generous offer.)