Titta Pretto

Titta Pretto

Tito Mathias Estaphania Preto, a senior tiatr artiste from Aldona, popularly known as Titta Preto, was born on 4th January, 1933. The Preto family moved to Dhobi Talao, Mumbai when Titta was in his teens.

While in Mumbai when he watched his 30 years senior co-villager J.P. Souzalin’s tiatr “Poilea Cheddeacho Baltim”, he noticed his another co-villager Alfred Rose rendering a solo song. He was so impressed with his performance that there and then he decided to make career as a Tiatrist. He first stepped on the Tiatr stage at the age of 15 in a Tiatr written by Frank de St. Cruz. He got ample opportunities to watch tiatrs staged by senior tiatrists of Mumbai. Some tiatr artistes from among Goans settled in Karachi used to come to Mumbai with their tiatrs, one amongst them being Ambrose Fernandes who took his stage name as A. M. B. Rose (father of Alfred Rose). Titta’s uncle arranged him a job in Royal Bombay Yatch Club near Gateway of India. Thereafter, he joined the famous Ritz Hotel near Churchgate which housed the Italian Expresso Coffee Bar. This place was frequented by Bollywood

actors like Nargis, Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, etc. Titta used to get tips from these actors for providing service to them which he used to save. With these savings, Titta assisted A. M. Bengalu to put up his tiatr “Chikott ani Pankott’ in which he acted in a comedy role with perfection. Thereafter, many Directors took him in their tiatrs and thus there was no looking back for Titta.

In 1950, he brought out his first Tiatr “Atanchim Kazaram” which was a hit and further went on to write and direct “Soitananchim Tainnim”, ‘Pai Tum Chol Ghara”,“Mogak Lagon”, “Bombaikarachi Bail” “Disgras” and “Kirmidoracho Xevott” which were well accepted by the audience.

Titta is a versatile character actor and an ace comedian and has performed for almost all topmost directors of Tiatr stage of his time like late Saib Rocha, J. P. Souzalin, C. Alvares, M. Boyer, Remmie Colaco, Minguel Rod, Jacinto Vaz, Rico Rod, Prem Kumar, Alfred Rose, Kid Boxer, Ophelia, Bab Peter and others. He has also portrayed ladies roles in many tiatrs with aplomb. He has acted in thousands of tiatrs staged in Goa, Mumbai and other parts of the country and foreign countries like Gulf, Africa and UK.

Besides Tiatr, Titta has proved his mettle in Konkani films too having featured in Classics like “Nirmonn”, “Amchem Noxib” and “Kortubancho Sounsar”. He also has the credit in acting in a Hindi film “Love in Goa”.

He is a good singer too and has produced three audio albums namely “Goa Amcho Gaum”. “Don’t Worry Be Happy” and “Retired Tarvotti”, which have won the hearts of music loving Goans.

Quite for a long time, Titta Preto has been lending a helping hand to almost all the tiatr directors from Goa to stage their shows in Mumbai, Poona, Calcutta and even Delhi by making arrangements, like booking of halls, stage setting, arranging Censor Board Certificates, etc.

Titta is a recipient of TAG’s Life Time Contribution to Tiatr Award 2009. He was also felicitated by Kala Academy Goa for his immense contribution to Konkani stage. Recently he was
felicitated at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao by Tiatr Academy Goa, Art & Culture Department and 125th Anniversary of Tiatr Celebrations Committee in their inaugural function.

The octogenarian Titta Preto has given yeoman’s service to the tiatr stage for the last about 69 years and continues to serve till today although the age is soon catching up with him.

Profile Courtesy: Tiatr Academy of Goa

Betty Ferns

Betty Ferns

Maria Vithal Fernandes, popularly known as Betty Ferns on the Konkani stage, originally hails from Morod, Sangolda in Bardez taluka. Born on November 4, she was brought up in Mumbai and was christened Betty Ferns by her godmother, Beatrice D'Souza, who was also her maternal aunt.

Betty Ferns cherished a dream to act in films since childhood. A building opposite her residence on Claire Road was home to some Anglo- Indian people who worked in Bollywood films. " This one day, I was in my verandah when some directors came over to their place. I was a pretty girl and they took notice of me.

They then inquired about me and asked whether I would be interested in acting.

But my brother, late Alfred Fernandes, who was a good artiste, drove them away as he feared disaster if I pursued that career,” she relates.

Blessed with three sisters, the eldest, Antonette, got married to C Alvares's brother, Tommy, and settled down in Sangolda, while the second sister, Ramona, tied the knot with Prem Kumar and settled down in Bombay Central. Betty's third sister, Maxie, is presently residing in Wadala.

On a trip to Goa, after Antonette's wedding, Betty found a role for herself in a tiatr, ' Noxib Strikevaleachem', which was presented by prompter Anthony Fernandes and staged in the village.

On returning to Mumbai, her godmother convinced her brother and she stepped into the world of tiatr. " Initially, my brother, who loved me a lot, discouraged me from acting in films and tiatrs," she says, " but finally it I ended up becoming an actor on stage." When C Alvares staged his tiatr ' Bhorvanso' in Mumbai, Betty was roped in and later she found herself in several of his tiatrs, including his All Ladies Show ' Khoincho Sakrament'. His other tiatrs in which she featured include ' Honrad Goenkar', ' Goencho Mog', ' Jurament', ' Axea', ' Mhozo Put Padri', ' Hatantlim Kanknam', ' Duddvankar Zatoloi', ' Sonvsar Sudhorlo Punn Munis Sudhronk Na' and others.

She was also picked up for a minor role in Chris Perry's Konkani film ' Bhiumarantlo Munis', besides tiatr ' Novro Mhozo Devchar'. Betty Ferns reveals that Prem Kumar penned tiatrs with good roles for her; ' Jivit Ek Sopon', which carried an unique role, was one of the memorable ones, besides tiatr ' Rinn', which had a revolving stage. Shealso acted as a comedian with M Boyer in the same director's tiatr ' Tum Modhem Poddonaka'. His other tiatrs that she was a part of include ' Tuje Dis Bhorle', ' No Time', ' Govai', ' Dubhav', ' Jivit Ek Sopon', ' Vauraddi', ' Dukh', ' Piso', ' Hanv Kitem Korum?', ' Maria Magdalen', and ' Abdul N D'Souza', among others.

She also featured in late M Boyer's several tiatrs, but she considers his tiatr ' Mog, Kazar, Divors' as the best as she had a good role in it. Some of their other tiatrs together are ' Bhurgem ani Bhangar', ' Adim Tem Atam Hem' and ' Sounsar Sudhorlo', among others.

Betty Ferns had a good role in late Remmie Colaco's tiatr ' Ghorachem Sukh' Part I & II, besides a memorable role of a pickpocket in Mendes Brothers' tiatr ' Bomboicho Dada' and a comedy role with Mendes Brothers in tiatrs ' Dharunn Vhoddil' and ‘ Ghuttachi Battli’. She also featured in Mike Mehta's noted tiatr ' Grant Road' wherein she had only two entries as a prostitute, but received applause and appreciation from the audience.

Betty Ferns was also fortunate to act in tiatrs staged by Robin Vaz, Star of Arossim, Kid Boxer, Anthony Colaco, Jacint Vaz, Samuel Carvalho, Dominic Fernandes, Menino de Bandar, Rosario Rodrigues and Rosario Dias. In 1978, when Betty Ferns penned her own tiatr, ' Maim Konnank Zai', and it was staged at three different places in Mumbai, it was an instant hit and ran to a packed house, surprising contractor Michael Correia.

Betty Ferns was the first Mumbai artiste to act in Rosario Rodrigues's khell tiatr ' Ekech Ratri Ami Fator'. She also featured in late Bab Peter's tiatrs ' Maink Zai Punn Paik Naka', ' Mijeas' and several others, besides Rico Rod's tiatr ' Zogzogta Tem Bhangar Nhoi’ and others.

Under Ambika Films, Betty Ferns also featured in Das Konkani film ' Girestkai', besides acting in Chris/ Meena's tiatr ' Anvddo'. She last appeared in Dominic Fernandes's tiatr ' Amchem Khoim Chukta, Sodhun Kadd'. Although Betty Ferns feels more comfortable and confident in acting rather than singing, she has rendered duets with C Alvares, Bab Peter, Prem Kumar, Young Mendes, H Briton, Robin Vaz, Francis de Parra, Joe Rose and trios with Anthony San. She also acted in Joe Rose’s tiatrs ‘ Ekuch Rogot’, ‘ Sun Nhoim Sunnem’, ‘ Dev Konnacho’ and others.

Now in her seventies, Mumbai- based Betty Ferns is still active on stage and would like to continue rendering her acting skills as and when required. She was recently felicitated in Mumbai for her immense contribution in tiatr by the 125th Tiatr Celebrations Committee.

I t was in one of Jacinto Vaz's tiatrs where Betty Ferns was offered a role which received instant negative criticism from the audience. " Spectators hooted at me," she says, " and I was in tears. M Boyer, Jacint Vaz and Remmie Colaco encouraged me backstage, reassuring me that it was a good role and there was no reason to weep." But when the same audience came to the green room and complimented me for the role, it was a boost to my confidence.

Profile Courtesy: Pio EstEvEs in Herald

Edwin D'Costa

EDWIN D’COSTA
Real Name: Antonio Edwin D'Costa

Stage Name: Edwin D'Costa

Date of Birth: 13th December 1963 Margao

Antonio Edwin D’Costa, popularly known as Edwin D’Costa was born on 13th December 1963 in Margao, Salcete, Goa to Mr. Jose Felipe D’Costa and Mrs. Filomena Inacinha Fernandes. Edwin was very fond of music and poetry right from his childhood. At the age of thirteen, he penned his first poem which was well appreciated by his teachers in the school. His first entry on a stage in a programme organised by Legion of Mary from his village Nuvem Parish won him first place. After that he never looked back.

As new concept of One Act Play Competitions was just making its debut in Goa in late 70’s. This was a golden opportunity for Edwin. He wrote a play entitled, ‘Upyogi’ on disability and participated with great enthusiasm. To his astonishment, he won the first place. Later, with this play he took part in competitions at various places in Goa. That year at 10 places his play bagged first prize and second at four places. He was also awarded for Best Director for the same play.

Edwin gradually started writing poetry and write-ups for various local Konkani publications. In the year 1979, he published his first book of poetry entitled ‘Vattsur’ and later in the year 1980 he released a Konkani audio album ‘Goencho Avaz’ which became an instant hit. The music for this album was composed by Maestro Josinho which was his first. The reputed singers like Young Chico, C. D’Silva, Querobina, Conny M lend their voices for this album.

The talent of young Edwin did not go unnoticed. Veteran tiatr artiste, Late C. Alvares introduced him on a Professional stage in his Tiatr ‘Mosteponn’ in which Edwin sang his own composed songs. The encouragements received from senior tiatrists like Prem Kumar, Succurine and others gave further boost to his talent. Later on he went on taking part in more than hundred tiatrs mostly singing his originally composed songs. He brushed shoulders with stalwarts of tiatr like M. Boyer, C. Alvares, Robin Vaz, Jacinto Vaz, Airistides Dias, Mendes Bros, Wilmix (Wilson) and many others.

He started recording his own songs and became more popular because of audio albums. Later he sang and contributed his compositions to many production houses like Wilmix-Sharon Productions, Dinfa Music, Manfa Music, United Quality Productions, Cat Music, V.P Sinaris, Prince Jacob to name a few. Truly Edwin became a household name since then.

In 1986 Edwin started his own production house known as ED Productions which gave number of hit albums like ‘Postman’, ‘Dolle’ (a drama released on audio cassette) which made a record breaking sale then. It sold more than 24,000 copies followed by many other albums like ‘Fator’, ‘Mother Theresa’, ‘Livrament Saibin’ etc. His mother and late brother Simon assisted and supported him in his endeavours. So far, Edwin is having a total of 81 albums to his credit and many more are in the pipeline. His aim is to complete a Century of Albums.

He introduced and promoted many a new talent in the field some of whom have made it to the top of the chart. Enthusiastic Edwin is the first person to market his audio albums by putting stalls at village feast fairs all over Goa. He created a record by releasing 12 cassettes in a single year in 1995 namely ‘Anj Bodvo’, ‘Mahatma Gandhi’, ‘Fator’, ‘Bhangar’, ‘Burgem Nuim Nustem’, ‘Dennem’, ‘Dhorji’, ‘Aimori’, ‘Ful’, ‘Livrament Saibinn’, ‘Fr. Savio’, ‘Dubau’ and ‘St. Francis Xavier’.

Although later on Edwin left for UAE for better prospects, he kept his ED Production house running. In U.A.E ( Ras Al Kahimah) in the year 2006, he organised a musical show in remembrance of legend Alfred Rose which was a big success. Edwin kept his passion for Konkani kantaram alive in UAE also. In the year 2007 he along with other two talented singers based in UAE, Anthony de Nuvem and Manuxin formed a trio which was baptised as ‘Dubai Trio’. This trio is very popular amongst the Tiatr lovers in Gulf and they sing in almost all dramas staged in the desert countries.
 So far Edwin has composed more than 10,000 Kantaram, and famous singers of yesteryears to present generation like M. Boyer, Alfred Rose, Romeo Mendes, Betty Naz, Lorna, Peter V. Fernandes, Nephie Rod, Antonette Mendes, Anthony San, Sucurrine, Titta, Betty Naz, Felcy, Peter Roshan, Lawry, Cielda Pereira, etc. have sung songs composed by him.

Many reputed organisations felicitated him for his outstanding contributions to the field of Konkani music including Sharjah Goan Community, U.A.E and Bahrain Goans. The Oman Goan Committee even gave him a title of ‘Master Composer’. His love for the Konkani Mother tongue and Goa is inseparable.

Profile Courtesy: Tiatr Academy of Goa

Jesus Antao

COMEDIAN JESUS

Real Name: Jose Jesus Marcelino Antao

Stage Name: Comedian Jesus

Date of Birth: 22nd July 1963 Chinchinim Goa

Comedian Jesus Antao’s first stint on commercial tiar stage was when George Fernandes gave him a break in his non-stop show ‘Dusman’ in the year 1982. The show had a successful run of over 50 shows in all over Goa. Here Comedian Jesus got a golden opportunity to showcase his acting talent in a commercial tiatr. His performance was noticed by playwright Meninio de Bandar who immediately roped him into his troupe for ‘Deodita’ in 1984. This was followed by ‘Succorina’ (in the same year), which became the first non-stop show in tiatr history to cross the double century mark, thus fortifying Antao’s position as one of the most promising comedians on the stage. Then Goa’s famed playwright, late Rosario Rodrigues cast him into his all-time hit ‘Fulam ani Kolle’ (1987) and he continued in his troupe for several seasons. Thereafter there was no looking back for young, enthusiastic Jesus Antao and he went on to become a household name, a comedian to reckon with.

At the peak of this acting career, misfortune struck him. On February 15, 1990, when returning home after a late night show at Ponda, Antao met with a severe road accident that seriously injured him. He lay in coma for 38 days with severe head injuries and multiple leg fractures. After a miraculous recovery, he took a break from the stage for one full year before making a comeback in Rosario’s show ‘Anik Ek Mhoino’.

He has also acted for A. M. Pacheco, Roseferns, Mike Mehta, Vitorin Pereira, late Rosario Dias, late Christopher Leitao and many others. Comedian Jesus Antao is a much sought after actor for his natural flair for comedy and still going great guns.

Comedian Jesus Antao has released 5 audio albums namely

1. Hanv MP

2. Saguvad

3. Money Order

4. Repeat Repeat

5. Holiday

He also has 4 Comedy Video albums to his credit:

1. Aashirvad

2. Budvont Jackinas

3. Hansot Rau

4. Fottkiro Agent

Socorrinha Fizardo - Succurine

Real Name: Socorrinha Fizardo

Stage Name: Succurine

Date of Birth: 31st August 1950 - Goa

Socorrinha Fizardo, one of the most versatile female artiste of the tiatr stage, popularly known as Succurine, was born on 31st August, 1950. Originally hailing from Ribandar, her father Ligorio D’Mello, also a popular lyricist/actor and mother Natalina Fernandes were settled at Sewree in Mumbai.

Her father staged his first drama written and directed by himself entitled ‘Poileo Char Vostu’ in which she performed. Thereafter, she acted in many tiatrs of well- known dramatists like M.Boyer’s ‘Sounsar Sudorlo’, Alfred Rose’s ‘Angounechi Vokol’, Prem Kumar’s ‘Khoto Poiso’, C. Alvares’ ‘Goencho Mog’ and an all ladies show ‘Khuincho Sakrament?’, besides performing for Remmie Colaco, Kid Boxer, H. Britton, Young Menezes, Robin Vaz, etc.

In the new generation of directos of the tiatr stage, Socorrinha has acted for Comedian Domnic, Marian Fernandes, John Moraes, Samuel Carvalho and many more. In many shows, she has imitated M. Boyer by dressing in his attire and singing in his style.

Socorrinha has produced Konkani Audio Cassettes and C.Ds with songs sung by her, most of which were composed by her father Ligorio and Tony Martins with music composed by late Marian Fernandes, Babush Fernandes, Ronnie Monserate, Maestro Josinho, Norman and many others. Some of the titles of her productions are ‘Pixem’, ‘Bach ke Rehena’, ‘Barbie Doll’, etc. She has also rendered songs on about 200 C.Ds brought out by various directors and producers.

As an artiste, she has extensively travelled and performed worldwide mainly in the Gulf countries like Dubai, Doha Qatar and Kuwait and also in Germany, London and Canada.

For her immense contribution to the tiatr stage, as a singer and actor, she was felicitated and honored by the Kala Academy Goa on the occasion of the Tiatr Day Celebrations. She has also conferred upon, Lifetime Contribution to Tiatr Award by Tiatr Academy of Goa in the year 2014.

Profile Courtesy: Tiatr Academy of Goa.