Widely known for his musical compositions and arrangements, his merits were publicly and solemnly acknowledged when the Directorate of Art and Culture of the Government of Goa conferred on Fr. Bernardo Cota the State Cultural Award for the Year 2007-2008. His contribution towards music ranges from original compositions and arrangements. He has to his credit music written for 100 hymns, including bhajans, music for “Our Father” in Sanskrit and four Masses, 10 choral polyphonic rhapsodies, arrangements for 10 operettas, one of which was made into a film. He also participated with a special original composition for “Pater Noster” in Latin, in an International music contest held in Italy. He also authored the Welcome Song to Pope John Paul II, of happy memory, on the occasion of his memorable visit to Goa. This is not to speak of musical programme “Pormollit Fulam” he organized and the compilation of his compositions and arrangements in the form of Book “Sobit Sundori” and 11 albums of Cassettes/CDs.

Born at Sta. Cruz in 1945 in a family of musicians – his own father, the late José Santana Cota, is a recipient of the State Cultural Award in Music for the year 1986-1987 - Fr Bernardo Cota completed his primary education in Portuguese before he joined the Seminary of Our Lady, Saligão-Pilerne, for his preparatory studies for priesthood. And after undergoing courses in Philosophy and Theology in the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol, he was ordained priest in 1970. He also completed Grade IV from the Royal School of Music, UK. His pastoral work includes being an Assistant to the Parish Priest, Chaplain, Parish Priest in various places in Goa in addition to being appointed President of the Diocesan Commission for Sacred Music and Professor of Western and Sacred Music at the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol, where he worked for 24 years.