Santa Ceciliachi Porob

Joe Rose enthralls his audience at TAG’s Meet the Artiste

“After many years it reminded me of this day when it was celebrated by the whole school and college when I was schooling at St. Xaviers in Mumbai” narrated Joe Rose, after the audience sang a happy birthday song to the birthday boy who was the artiste of the month at TAG’s Meet the Artiste programme held on 31^st July 2012 at TAG’s Conference Hall, Panjim.

Speaking further he said that he was fortunate enough to rub his shoulders with classmates who later became Hindi filmstars, like the late Jalal Agha, Arup Kumar (Ashok Kumar’s son) and the late Vijay Sippy (Sippy Film’s of Sholay fame). He said that he became an artiste not for any monetary benefits but purely for the love of art and Konkani. He attributes his success to his guru late Dr. Simon C. Fernandes, Ex Mayor of Bomyay and editor of Goa Times. A writer, composer, director Joe Rose has acted with almost every stalwart of the tiatr stage from C. Alvares, Prem Kumar, M. Boyer to Roseferns, Prince Jacob, etc.

Comedian from the Konkani film ‘Boglantt’ he excelled in character roles and kept the audience spell bound in tiatrs like Fr. Savio, Padri Juze Vaz, etc. His all time hits like ‘Kaxintlo Paim’, ‘Bonkaum’, ‘Soglem Zalam Dhakttulem’, were enjoyed by the audience. He has written several plays like ‘Imtteache Bognnar’, ‘Ekuch Rogot’, ‘Dev Konnacho’, etc and has produced audio albums ‘Top Konkani Hits Parade’, ‘Sorgincho Darvontto’ besides VCD ‘Don Utram’ and his most recent venture an HD Konkani Film ‘Mariola’ which will be released very shortly.

Prominent among the tiatr artistes who attended the programme were Tomazinho Cardozo, former President of TAG, Jr. Rod, A. Friend, Jessie Dias, Anthony Sylvester, Anil Kumar, Fatima, Willy, C. D’Silva, Josephine, Platilda, Irene Cardozo, Filipe Pereira, Cezar D’Mello, Cinematographer Dharshan Lolayekar, Mariola Cast, etc.

Earlier Shri. Victor de Sa, Member Secretary welcomed the audience. Shri. Joy Fernandes, Cultural Organizer of TAG compered and proposed a vote of thanks. The function was covered by Spirit Fernandes.

Somplolea Tiatristancho Ugddas to be held on 25^th July

Tiatr Academy Goa will organize its monthly programme ‘Somplolea Tiatristancho Ugddas’ dedicated to the memories of the tiatr artistes who are no more living and who have contributed immensely for the development of tiatr in the past. The artistes who were born in a particular month will be remembered in the programme. The artistes of yester years who were born in the month of July are A.M.B. Rose, Alexinho de Candolim, Domnick Vaz, Carmo Rod, Fr. Freddy J. Da Costa, Antonio Moraes, Joao Inacio D’Souza and Thomas Aguelino Fernandes (Peter Champion).

In order to remember these artistes a special programme is organized on Wednesday, 25^th July 2012 at 4:45 pm at the Black Box, Ravindra Bhavan, Margao.

On this occasion veteran tiatr artistes Shri. John Claro Fernandes and Former President of TAG Shri. Tomazinho Cardozo will speak on the works of these late artistes.

The contribution of these stalwarts of the tiatr stage in brief is:-

A.M.B. Rose

Ambrosio Carlisto Piedade Fernandes who was popularly known as A.M.B. Rose hails from Aldona and was the father of legendary singer Alfred Rose. Born on 31^st July 1899 A.M.B. Rose contributed immensely for the tiatr stage mainly as a character actor, acting in tiatrs directed by almost all the stalwarts of tiatr stage. He himself staged two of his own productions ‘Ghatkeponnacho Inam’ and ‘Jadu’. He died on 6^th April 1982.

Alexinho de Candolim

Incidently next year it happens to be the 100^th Birth Anniversar of Alexinho de Candolim. Alexinho Fernandes known as Alexinho de Candolim hails from Candolim, Bardez Goa. Born on 9^th July 1913 he wrote, directed and staged about 26 tiatrs. His most popular tiatrs were ‘Goycho Posorkar’, ‘Ram Ram Bauji’, ‘To Bhavtto Dhormacho’ and ‘Amchea Xetachi Pavnni’. A progressive writer and director of his times Shri. Alexinho de Candolim died on 16^th July 1963.

 

Domnick Vaz

Domnick Vaz a fine composer and a singer hails from Varca, Salcete Goa. Born on 6^th July 1929 Domnick Vaz contributed a lot for the development of tiatr particularly to songs ‘Kantaram’. His songs were meaningful and people always appreciated his singing. He also composed songs for many audio cassettes which became hit.

Carmo Rod

Carmo Rod was also a prominent singer of tiatr stage. Born on 16^th July 1939 Carmo Rod hailed from Assolna, Salcete Goa. He had a beautiful voice and could sing songs in Konkani as well as in English. Because of his attractive voice he was requested to sing the immortal number ‘Nach Atanche’ from the film ‘Nirmonn’. During Opinion Poll in 1967 Carmo Rod sang a solo ‘Don Panam’ which aroused feelings among the true Goans. He expired on 13^th August 1975.

Fr. Freddy J. Da Costa

Fr. Freddy J. Da Costa, a Catholic priest and a great lover of Konkani was a talented writer. Born on 20^th July 1953 and hailing from Varca, Fr. Freddy was a founder member of Dalgado Konknni Akademi and published a magazine named ‘Gulab’ in Konkani in Romi Script which have become very popular among the Goans world wide. He has written and produced hit tiatrs like ‘Niz Mog’, ‘Utt Goykara’, ‘Ghorabo’, ‘Khata Pita Dev Dita’ and has produced a number of Konkani audio albums namely ‘Goychem Git’, ‘Niz Mog’, ‘Jivit’, ‘Goycho Manddo’, ‘Mother Theresa’, etc.

Antonio Moraes

Born on 13^th July 1924 at Benaulim has dedicatedly served the Konkani stage particularly the Khell-Tiatr stage for many years. He has been a very good director, musician and a writer. He had written and directed more than 50 Khell-Tiatrs some of which are ‘Sorg’, ‘Mhojim Bhurgim, ‘Onupkari Put’, etc. He was an excellent player of trumpet, drum and base guitar and was awarded Goa State Cultural Award for music in 2006-2006.

 

Joao Inacio D’Souza

Born on 2^nd July 1921 Joao Inacio D’Souza hailed Vasco da Gama, Goa. A very good singer as composed and sung Konkani kantaram.

Thomas Aguelino Fernandes (Peter Champion)

One of the most versatile comedians of tiatr stage Peter Champion hailed from Cortalim and was born on 21^st July 1932. He was also known for his comedy solos and was member of the group ‘Young Stars of Goa’ of his times. Peter Champion has also written and produced tiatrs and ‘Bacro Kut Zalem?’ was one of his famous tiatr.

Socorro de Santa Cruz, a well-known tiatr artiste will present some of the songs of these late artistes. 

Tiatr lovers are requested to attend in large numbers.

Shri. Victor de Sa,Member secretary,TAG, presenting a memento to Luciano Dias. Also seen Joy Fernandes Cultural organiser,TAG.

TAG’s Meet the Artiste - Luciano recalls his past memories

It was a memorable experience for Domingos Xavier Dias popularly known as Luciano as he recollected his fond memories on the tiatr stage with the help of his colleagues and fans. Luciano was speaking at the Meet the Artiste – ‘Kolakarak Bhett’, a monthly programme of Tiatr Academy Goa on 29^th June 2012 at the Black Box of Ravindra Bavan, Margao.

At the age of 79 with fading memory Luciano recounted his happy moments when he used to sing along with his brother late Aristides Dias on the tiatr stage and with all the stalwarts of tiatr stage. He further stated that he first stepped on the tiatr stage at the age of 18 in a village tiatr. His first break on the professional tiatr stage was in Alexinho de Candolim’s tiatr ‘Ho Bavtto Dhormancho’ and thereafter he marched ahead. He penned down and sang around 800 Konkani songs which included mostly solos besides duets, duos, trios.

It was evident that Luciano was one of the most versatile and popular singers of his times from the testimonies and presence of a large number of his fans and tiatr artistes on the occasion. Replying to a question from the audience on his stage name Luciano he replied that there was opposition from the family members to act in tiatrs in the beginning and to avoid being caught he took the name of his godmother and thus became very popular as Luciano later.

One of his nephews also informed that besides singing Luciano was very good at sports. He was an All Goa Champion for 3 consecutive years as a long distance marathon runner. The Portuguese wanted to take Luciano to Portugal but his father turned down this offer.

The function was attended by Luciano’s fans and popular tiatr artistes namely Master Vaz, C. D’Silva, Jessie, Clara, Platilda, Rico Rod, Patrick Dourado, Prince Jacob, Anil Kumar, Star of Curtorim, Osvi Viegas, Connie M, Bonifacio Dias, besides Irene Cardozo, A. Friend, etc.

Luciano rendered two of his favourite solos. His son Peter and grand niece Roshelle also sang a song each which enthralled the audience.

Earlier Shri. Victor de Sa, Member Secretary of TAG introduced the artiste to the audience and welcomed the gathering. Shri. Joy Fernandes compered the function and proposed a vote of thanks.

TAG Completes One Year of ‘Somplolea Tiatristancho Ugddas’

Somplolea Tiatristancho Ugddas a monthly programme organized by Tiatr Academy Goa (TAG) to remember the works and sacrifices of the late tiatr artistes completed one year in this month and was held on 20^th June 2012 at TAG’s Conference Hall, Campal Trade Centre, Campal, Panjim. The main speakers were Shri. Tomazinho Cardozo, former President of TAG and Tiatrist Anil Kumar. According to the scheme the artistes who are born in that particular month and are no more living are remembered. This scheme was started in the month of July 2010 and the programmes are held alternatively in Margao and Panjim each month. The importance of this scheme is the programme is video recorded and kept as documentation at TAG’s library. Till date around 80 late tiatr artistes whose details were available have been covered under the scheme. TAG is in the process of obtaining details of those artistes who have not been included.

Tomazinho Cardozo

While speaking on the late artistes Tomazinho Cardozo highlighted the works of late A. R. Souza Ferrao, Reginaldo Fernandes, Ulhas Buyao and Anthony Gonsalves. He said that Souza Ferrao was a very disciplined artiste and used to always be seen well dressed on the stage as well as in his daily life. He was a great lover of folk-art and a talented writer, actor, lyricist and composer. He was the first one to record folk-songs on All India Radio in 1937. Besides acting in tiatrs, Souza Ferrao has also acted in Konkani films like ‘Amchem Noxib’, ‘Nirmonn’, ‘Sukhachem Sopon’, etc. Speaking on Reginaldo Fernandes he said that Reginaldo was a multifaceted artiste who not only contributed to the tiatr stage but was an exemplary writer of Konkani in Romi script and a very talented musician. He used to play violin and trumpet. He has to his credit about 150 novels in Konkani in Roman script and was known as ‘Romanxincho Patxay’ during his times. He further said that Ulhas Buyao was a revolutionary artiste who created a revolution among the masses on the Konkani stage during Opinion Poll on the Romi script movement. His compositions ‘Goychea Mhojea Goykaramno’, ‘Mungllurachea Xharant’ and ‘Channeache Rati’ sung by Ulhas Bab are still remembered by the Goans. Recipient of Goa State Cultural Award Ulhas was a creative writer, director, singer, composer and is remembered for his contribution towards Goa’s song and literature in Konkani in Roman script and for this he was known as ‘Goy Shahir’. Maestro Anthony Gonsalves was a composer of high repute who was well-known not only in Goa but also throughout India and the world over.  In the early stage Anthony has composed music to Konkani songs like ‘Aayee’ and ‘Far-y-iaer’.  Tomazinho narrated one incident which took place during the felicitation of Anthony Gonsalves at the 2011 IFFI that Bollywood’s famous composer Pyarelal while speaking on the occasion referred Mr. Gonsalves as his guru which signifies how great a musician was Anthony Gonsalves. As a tribute Pyarelal had dedicated ‘My Name is Anthony Gonsalves’ to his violin teacher Maestro Anthony Gonsalves. To conclude Mr. Cardozo said that it was a tragedy that no Goan took note to find out about this great personality who was very much living in Goa after he took his retirement.

Anil Kumar

Speaking on the remaining five personalities Anil Kumar narrated the works and contribution to the tiatr stage. He said that Tony Fernandes, son of Pai Tiatrist Joao Agostinho Fernandes was well-known for his hit songs like ‘Gupit Mog’, ‘Goycheo Zati’, ‘Dotiche Pottle’, ‘Voklamni Fottoilo’, etc which he recorded on HMV records and are still played on the All India Radio. He was an excellent actor and a singer and has greatly contributed towards enrichment of Konkani song. He was one of the longest surviving tiatr artistes who died at the age 89. A tailor by profession Jephsis Hitler was a born artiste having natural comedy features with long mustaches and big eyes with which he used to create laughter in the audience. Minguel Rod one of the stalwarts took him to Mumbai in his tiatr ‘Intruz vo Carnaval’. He was the main composer of comedy solos, duets, trios, quartets, etc and was the most sought after artiste of his times. C. P. Dias another Goan musician who was well-known among the tiatr fraternity took to music at a very young age. He has provided music to the Tiatrs of almost all the stalwarts of tiatr stage. Besides tiatr he has also contributed to Hindi film music when he was in Mumbai for sometime. Romeo Mendes was a very good lyricist and has produced many Konkani audio cassettes. He owned a garage at Worli in Mumbai due to which he befriended many bollywood producers G.P.Sippy and stars like Amitab Bachan, Dharmindra, Hema Malini, etc. In his audio album ‘Jivit Ek Sopon’ he recorded voices of these bollywood stars in Konkani and had a record sale of about 10000 copies of this album. ‘Claudia’ a classic rendition from Konkani film ‘Nirmon’ which he sung along with his wife Antonette Mendes and Ophelia is still close to the heart of Konkani music lovers. A. K. D’Souza father of tiatr artistes Antonette Mendes and Fatima D’Souza was a thorough gentleman. He had an outstanding personality and was always well-dressed. He was a seaman and with the help of other seamen of P&O Company has the honour of performing his tiatr ‘Hanv to Tarvotti’ in the year 1957 at South Hamptom which features Miss Mohana, the most famed tiatr and bollywood artiste.

Succur & Willy

Succor, Tomazinho, Anil & Fr Manuel
singing late. Reginaldo's Adeus

The programme also featured  songs of these late artistes like ‘Claudia’, ‘Deva Mhojea Deva’, ‘Channeache Rati’, ‘Sorg Tujea Dolleamni’, ‘Adeus’ which were sung by Socorro de Santa Cruz and accompanied by Willy Goes on the rhythm guitar. Cezar D’melo of Mil-Mel-Nel, Dr. Rafael Fernandes, Fatima D’Souza and Fr. Manuel Gomes, also spoke on the occasion. Other prominent personalities present were Jessie Dias, Irene Cardozo, Fr. Conceicao D’Silva, Cartoonist Alexyz, Alister Miranda, writer Joel, Sheik Amir, Dr. Jerry Rodrigues, Tina Costa, Cameronbesides others. Mandovi daughter of late Ulhas Buyao joined in to sing ‘Channeache Rati.

Wife & Daughter of Late Ulas Buyao

Son of late Reginaldo Fernandes

Family members of these late artistes who attended the function were Neela and Mandovi (wife & daughger of late Ulhas Buyao), Wilma & Ivor (daughter & Son-in-law of Souza Ferrao), Sucorina, Sharon & Lucy (daughters of C.P. Dias), Sally (Son of Reginaldo Fernandes), Fatima (daughter of A.K. D’Souza), Sharmila (daughter of Tony Fernandes) and Laximi (daughter of Anthony Gonsalves).

Earlier Shri. Victor de Sa, Member Secretary of TAG welcomed the audience. Shri. Joy Fernandes, Cultural Organizer of TAG proposed a vote of thanks and compered the function. An appeal was made to the audience to inform TAG if they are aware of birth dates of any of the late tiatr artistes or the contacts of their family members who have not yet been covered under this scheme so that they can be included in the near future.

A section of the Audience

Luciano Dias to feature at TAG’s Meet the Artiste

 

Tiatr Academy of Goa’s monthly programme ‘‘Kolakarak Bhett’ – Meet the Artiste will be held on Friday, 29^th June 2012 at 4:45 pm at Black Box, Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. The tiatr artiste of this month is Luciano Dias.

Domingos Xavier Dias popularly known as Luciano Dias was born to Antonio Joaquim Dias and Ana Rita Fernandes on 1^st April 1933 at Arlem, Raia. Luciano Dias is the younger brother of late Aristides Dias who was a well-known writer, director, actor and singer of the tiatr stage.

Luciano Dias first stepped on the Konkani Tiatr stage when he was 18 years old in the village tiatr directed by Paulo Francisco Dias. He began his full fledged acting and singing career in the Tiatr ‘Ho Bavtto Dhormancho’ written and directed by Aleixinho de Candolim in the early 1960s. In this tiatr he acted in the female role.

He has acted in the tiatrs directed by the famous directors of Tiatr stage namely M. Boyer, Young Menezes, Souza Ferrao, Jephsis Hitler, Prem Kumar, Remmie Colaco, Nelson, Kamat de Asolna, Patrick Dourado, Jacinto Vaz, C. D’Silva, Master Vaz, etc.

He is a good script writer and has scripted and directed some of his own tiatrs. The first tiatr written by him was ‘Khoxebhair Kazar’. He is a good lyricist and singer too. His speciality was composing and singing solos. He has composed and sung around 800 Konkani songs including solos, duets, duos and trios. The duets and duos which he sung along with his brother late Aristides Dias were well appreciated by tiatr lovers. He has sung many duets and duos in which he dressed as a female.

Luciano Dias became a popular actor, singer and composer on the Konkani tiatr stage. He has performed not only in Goa but in Mumbai as well as in Kuwait. He became very popular in Mumbai and was known as ‘Lucy’ by tiatr lovers in Mumbai. He has produced an Audio album ‘Somaz Bodolta’. Besides he has acted in Konkani films ‘Amchem Noxib’ and ‘Nirmonn’.

His rich contribution to Tiatr stage has been acknowledged by various institutions and associations like ‘Raia Welfare Association’, ‘Youth of Manora Raia’, ‘All India Radio’, ‘Art & Culture Department’, ‘Kuwait Konknni Kendr’, ‘Arlem Youth Association’, ‘Konkani Heritage Kuwait’ and ‘South Goa Zila Parishad’. He is the recipient of Cocacola’s ‘Great Goan Performer Award’ and also Tiatr Academy’s ‘Lifetime Contribution to Tiatr Stage Award’. He was felicitated by the Dalgado Konknni Akademi and Kala Academy Goa.

Luciano lives with his wife Sacramenta Moraes in Arlem, Raia and has three sons and two daughters.

All tiatr lovers are requested to attend the function.