PRITI
P. LOTLIKAR
Priti P.
Lotlikar, (Maiden name, Maria Blandina Arcadia Rodrigues, alias Blanche) first
stepped on Konkani stage at very young age of 12. She acted in the tiatr
named, ‘Mauxi vo Manam’, written, directed and produced by Late
Cassiano D’Costa from Colva. Incidentally Cassiano happens to be father of
famous actors Josephine Dias and late Peter D’Costa (Comedian Peter). This
tiatr was staged in her own village of Colva. Lively performance of this child
with magical acting and singing skills caught the eye of the audience. Within
no time she began amassing fame not only in Colva and surrounding villages of
Salcete but in several other villages all over Goa.
Priti,
later in 70’s acted in the tiatrs of Jess Fernandes, a well-known writer and
director of that time. ‘Noxibantlim Khoddpam’, ‘Kallzacho Ghavo’, ‘Eksuro’, ‘Xekim
To Zolmolo’, ‘Don Dukam’ and ‘Ti Noxtti
Pidda’ are names of some of the tiatrs in which she acted in the lead
role.
Born on 4th March
1955 at Margao to Antonio Luis Rodrigues and Maria Aurora Almeida, Priti is the
youngest sibling among eight children in the family. She inherited the acting
and singing talent from her father, Antonio or ‘Antonbab’ as he was fondly
known, who was a Mestri (Choir Master) of Colva Church. He used to compose
songs and sing in village tiatrs. Although he never performed on the
professional stage, he was an all-time favourite of the local audience.
Encouraged by her tiatr loving parents, Priti actively participated in cultural
activities during her schooling.
In 80’s
she joined the dramatic troupe of A. M. Pacheco. She acted in his khell-tiatrs
namely ‘Visvas-Ghat’, ‘Don Roste’, ‘Daag’, ‘Mati’, ‘Lolo’ and ‘Fator’ which
was a super hit. In between, she also acted in Ligorio Fernandes’ tiatr ‘Julias
Ceaser’.
Childhood
friends, Priti and Premanand Lotlikar, a well-known tiatr personality performed
together for first time in A.M. Pacheco’s tiatr, ‘Fator’ as
hero and heroine which were the perfect roles made for each other. Later
on they went on to become real life partners. Priti acted in seven khell-tiatrs
written and directed by her husband entitled‘Loz ani Dukh’, ‘Dhovi
Fott-Kallem Sot’, ‘Povitr–Papi’, ‘Rup vo Rupnnem’,
‘Zindabad’, ‘Ho Mhozo Opradh’and ‘Kednach Borem
Zainaka’. She played different types of roles, first as a child artiste and
later on from heroine to other character roles like mother, etc. She also
participated in many plays which were recorded and broadcast on All India Radio
– Panaji.
Priti was
seen in an impressive tragic role in a Konkani film ‘Mariola’ written
and directed by Joe Rose and produced by Darshan Lolayekar which was screened
at South Asia Film Festival in the year 2012 held in Goa and further at IFFI
Goa (2013).
Profile Courtesy: Tiatr Academy of Goa
