Mini Mario

MINI MARIO

Evaristo Menino Mariano Da Silva, popularly known as Mini Mario was born on the feast day of Menino Jesus celebrated in the Parish of Colva on October 26, 1967 to Joao Santana Da Silva and Maria Fernandes. He learnt the ropes and tricks of the tiatr right from his childhood. As a little boy Mario watched the rehearsals which used to be held in his house of khell-tiatrs directed by his father Joao Santana and uncle Merciano who were renowned khell-tiatrists of their times.

His first step onto the tiatr stage was at the tender age of nine in late Rosary Ferns’ tiatr ‘Ghat Apleak Sontos Peleak’ performed in his village Colva. In the very next year, his another ‘ganv bhav’ A. M. Pacheco brought him on the professional stage in his khell-tiatr ‘Dhag’. He would sing the songs which his father and uncle would compose for him and render the same with great poise and grace. Impressed with his singing and acting skills, Premanand Lotlikar roped in this talented artiste into his khell-tiatr ‘Loz ani Dukh’, followed by Menino de Bandar in his khell-tiatr ‘Vizmit’. As his popularity spread, Premanand and Priti Lotlikar recommended this young lad to Roseferns who was on the verge of forming his own group. Roseferns gave him the much needed boost by casting him in his all-time hit non-stop drama ‘‘Thapott’ which was released in October 1985. Roseferns brought out the best of this young talented lad by presenting him to tiatr audiences as a dashing hero with his power packed performance and melodious voice. His last tiatr with Roseferns was ‘Jem Tujem Tem Mhojem’ before joining Patrick Dourado’s troupe where he made a thorough study of his classic tiatrs. When it comes to song writing he considers Dourado as his guru.

Mini Mario has, in fact, rendered his theatrical abilities to all professional directors including late Rosario Rodrigues, Ligorio Fernandes, Patrick Dourado, Menino de Bandar,  Premanand Lotlikar, Prince Jacob, John D’Silva, Comedian Agostinho, Tony Dias, Jack Ferry, Peter de Benaulim, Comedian Ambe, Filip Almeida, Michael Gracias, Mariano Fernandes, Pascoal Rodrigues, Anthony San, Mendes, Mario de Vasco and others.

Having garnered enough knowledge and experience in vocals as well as acting, Mini Mario decided to pen down and direct his own tiatrs. In 1982, he staged his first khell-tiatr, ‘Nit’ in several villages and it received a great response from the audience. Gaining confidence as a writer and director, this soft spoken artiste formed his own troupe with the tiatr ‘Adim Tum Atam Hanv’. Till date, he has penned and staged around 36 tiatrs, with prime focus on family issues.  ‘Nit’, ‘Mog’, ‘Dev Nhidonk Nam’, ‘Adim Tum Atam Hanv’, ‘Dev Zanna’, ‘Avaz Bond’,‘Tukach Tople’, ‘Mhoji Goroz Kiteak?’, ‘Hi Soirigot Kiteak’, ‘Bhurgim Amchi Girestkay?’, ‘Kiteak Nit Korina?’, ‘Faleam Ravonaka’, ‘Ami Vo Tumi?’, ‘Joker’ and ‘Blackmail’ are few to name.

As for acting, Mini Mario is comfortable with any role entrusted to him, be it lead, villain, comedian or any character. Besides this, he is also an acclaimed solo singer. His songs have been very meaningful and convey powerful message to the society.  Unlike some professional singers who borrow songs from others, this seasoned tiatrist enjoy writing and setting his own music to his compositions. Mini Mario has 14 audio albums to his credit, 7 of them in audio cassettes and the rest Audio CD's
1. Devachi Girestkai  2.Gonter  3. Good Friday, 4. Ronisha, 5. Padri, 6. Devosaum,

7. Sirvidor  8. Patok, 9. Retir - ACD, 10. Padrink Okman Korcho Nhoi - ACD

11. Povitr Pustok, 12. Mhozo Award Tumi - ACD 

13. Best of Mini Mario- ACD 14. Singham - Mp3  

He has also released 5 VCDs like ‘Nimnnea Sukrarak Pavs Poddlo’, ‘Konnech Lozchem Nhoim’, and ‘Sambhallun Dovrat’, "Picnic', "Jesu'.

The legacy in singing and acting in his family is now carried forward by his son Bladwin Charles Da Silva who is popularly known as Master Win in the Tiatr Circle and daughter Ashbel. Mini Mario always encourages new young talent and brought many new faces on the tiatr stage and in his audio albums/VCDs.

Profile Courtesy: Tiatr Academy of Goa

Prem Kumar

PREM KUMAR

            Goans are supposed to be having a languorous personality, but there are a few who have defied this personification. Prem Kumar is one of them. He can be called the reformer of the Konkani stage as his contribution has brought Konkani tiatr to a standard, which can compare with the other regional language dramas.

            Peter D’Costa- (his given name) was born in the historic village of Chandor, a former capital city of the Kadambas. As a member of the Cine Artistes’ Association, a Hindi films outfit in Mumbai, Peter was bold enough to ask Producer-Director Dhirubhai Desai, the doyen of Hindi films, for a role. As Peter was neither young nor old, it was difficult for him to bag a role. But Desai’s Production Manager Pralhad, scanning Peter’s talent, offered him a role of a blind man, which Peter acted to satisfaction. It is here that Peter baptized himself as Prem and set his foot in the Hindi film industry.

            He enacted several small roles in Hindi films like Mera Salam, Bandish, Shaukeen, Hum Bhi Insan Hai, Sakhi and Bahadur. K.N.Singh, a noted Hindi films character artiste, spotted him on the sets and patted him for his excellent portrayals. His performance in Hamara Hax as a Muslim moulvi (priest) won him accolades for reciting the dialogues in pure Arabic. Many spectators were bewildered to find a Goan Catholic doing this role to perfection. The veteran film director S.M. Esmael promised him a big role in his next Hindi film but fate willed it otherwise as the director expired and the promise remained unfulfilled.

            Prem made his debut on the Konkani stage at the tender age of thirteen at P. T. Bhangwadi, Mumbai, in Mhozo Put written and directed by himself and has today 54 dramas under his belt.

            Vasant Joglekar- a noteworthy name of Marathi stage once accompanied him to watch a Konkani drama of a top Konkani writer-director at P.T.Bhangwadi.The guest’s reaction to the scene of a landlord’s house against the backdrop of a jungle scene put Prem to shame. Here started the pursuit of Prem for the upliftment of the Konkani stage. His love for Konkani made him bid adieu to Hindi films.

            His dramas specialize in settings and visuals through the aids of projectors and slides- a new concept he introduced on the Konkani stage way back in the fifties. It is a joy to watch his dramas. He drenches them with spectacular scenes like in the movies. His dramas are patronized by the masses as well as the glitterati as they mix a strong story with powerful dialogues.

            Mortikar showed the fleeing of a murderer through a majestic back-stage projection of a road scene showing the criminal at his heels as is done on celluloid. Jivit Ek Soponbrought the best of Betty Fernandes- one of the finest actresses of the Konkani stage- in the disguised role of a male. Abdul Narayan D’Souza and Fulam ani Kantte dealt with communal harmony. Vavraddi enacted naturally by Prem himself presented a panorama of the rural scene-a treat to be cherished. His Piso is the only monologue of the Konkani tiatrs. The audience remembers with appreciation the scene in Maria Magdalena where Jesus asks her to quench her thirst from the rock, which will fetch her water. She strikes the rocks and the water zooms like a fountain on the stage to the thunderous applause from the audience. The late CardinalValerian Gracias was all praise for this religious drama. The late Y.B.Chavan who was then the Chief Minister of Maharashtra was flabbergasted to note that he was presenting the award to the same actor (Prem) who had acted superbly in the role of a crippled in Angounn.

            His magnum opus is Rinn, an experiment on the moving stage, portrayed a courtroom drama showing a court scene with flashbacks of events by moving the stage from the court scene to the actual events and returning to the original scene of action. The same drama witnessed the superb comic performance of Paul Romy in the garb of a gouio (blockhead) so much that the scene received an encore, unheard of in dramas.

            Although his dramas are big budgeted because of the props he uses, some of them have crossed the century mark, namely Dukh, Kakut, and Peleache Vostuchi Axea Korum Naie.

            He has over sixty trophies to his credit, including the Bandodkar Cup and Gold Medal for Vavraddi, I.G.P. Arun Bhagat Shield, Emanuel Printing Press Shield, Cine Times Awards, Natraj Award by Vasco citizens, Konkani Cultural Association Award, Konkani Sahitya Samiti Award, Prohibition Award of the Government of Maharashtra.

            Besides Konkani dramas, Prem has acted in the Konkani film Boglantt as the hero, which has Goan and Mangalorean actors.

            When asked as to how he manages to enact a role so naturally with emotions he says whilst acting he forgets himself and completely merges with the role. He is never complacent with the roles he performs and says his best is yet to come. Prem, who possesses a strong memory and can recite any song or dialogue from his dramas and films, is now busy with his new tiatr entitled No Time. On the future of the Konkani drama, Prem is full of optimism and believes that there is always light at the end of the tunnel and that Konkani tiatrlike the proverbial phoenix will rise from the ashes to reach the pinnacle of glory.

            Prem who has ploughed all his earnings from films and dramas for the betterment of the Konkani stage needs sponsorship as the production costs have soared and the audience cannot afford exorbitant pricing of the tickets. He has been the tireless votary of the cause of Konkani and rightly deserves help and appreciation from the government.

By Isidore Dantas

Brazinho Soares

BRAZINHO SOARES ‘KALAPURKAR’

Brazinho De Santa Nunila Soares or Brazinho Soares ‘Kalapurkar’ as he is popularly known by Tiatr lovers was born on 24thOctober 1938 at Santa Cruz, Tiswadi.
Brazinho’s first poem ‘Doriachem Ojeap’ published in a Konkani weekly Aitarachem Vachop in the year 1958 saw the birth of a writer in Konkani literary field. Since then he has authored and contributed many articles, short stories, essays, dramas, poems in different publications with consistency like Ave Maria, Vauraddeancho Ixtt, A. Vanguarda, Porjecho Adhar, Goan Express, Vauraddi, Cine Times, The Goa Mail, Udentichem Noketr, Goencho Sad, Sot, Divtti, Uzvadd, Loksad, Gõykar, Novem Goem, Goencho Avaz, Goenchem Ful, Konkan Mail, O Heraldo, Goan Sports Weekly, Dor Mhoineachi Rotti, Konknni, Arso, Gulab, Goencho Porzoll, The Goan Review, Goenchim Kirnnam, Goencho Pormoll, Goencho Fuddari, Jivit etc. He was also Astt. Editor of Konkani monthlies Karnaval, Goencho Gulab, Hea Sonvsarant and Konknni Neketracho Uzvadd. He has also written and published Mogachi Doulot (Poems), Oparincho Jhelo (Collection of proverbs) and tiatrs, ‘Mogacho Xevott Ximiterint’ and ‘Konn To Khunni’. He is one of the few Konkani writers to figure in Sahitya Akademi’s ‘Who is Who of Indian Writers’.

Brazinho’s first taste of acting began in his parochial school days wherein he enacted the role of a blind boy in Luis Gonsalves’ famous Tiatr ‘Jurament Bhogsonam’. He made a hat trick by winning the first prize for 3 consecutive years in the year 1977, 78 and 79 for Best Setting for tiatrs written by Caetano Pereira in Kala Academy’s Tiatr Competition. He has also acted in Anthony Pereira’s ‘Kirmidor Bhav’, Paulino Dias’ ‘Norton Advogad’, Peter Fernandes’ ‘Noxibantlem Chukonnam’ Gabrial Moraes ‘Bebdo Put’. He has written some very famous Tiatrs entitled ‘Mogacho Xevott Ximiterint’,‘Konn To Khunni’ and ‘Bhutanchem Ghor’. The first two tiatrs are also published in book form. In 1982, he won Ave Maria Furtado Award (Second Prize) for his poem in a Competition in Doha Qatar. He bagged Second Prize for his script, ‘Konn To Khunni’ in Tiatr Script Writing Competition organised by Konkani Tiatristanchi Sonvstha in the year 1992.

Brazinho also had a stint in singing. He sang in many tiatrs in early years like Frank de Santa Cruz’s, ‘Angvonnecho Put’,Caitano Pereira’s ‘Kallokuch Kallokh’, etc. He has enacted four different roles in one Tiatr entitled ‘Goenchi Suttka’written by F. X. Dias. He has collectively written and directed passion plays ‘Ho To Munis’ and ‘Sodvonddar Mell’lo’ (in which he also acted) along with his three other colleagues.

Apart from tiatr and writing, Brazinho has got a hobby of collecting Konkani books and rare handbills of Tiatrs. Today his personal library has more than 2000 Konkani books and more than 1000 of these rare handbills of Tiatrs dating back to Portuguese era. In the year 2007, he had the opportunity of holding his exhibition of Tiatr handbills and also books on Tiatr in Kuwait at the invitation of Kuwait Goans Tiatristanchi Sonvstha. He was also invited by Dalgado Konknni Akademi to hold the exhibition during their ‘Tisrem Konknni (Romi Lipi) Sahitya ani Sonvskruti Sommelon’ and Kala Academy Goa during Celebration of 100 years of Tiatr in the year 1992.

He has several awards and felicitations to his credit. The noteworthy among them being Tiatr Academy of Goa’s Lifetime Contribution to Tiatr Award, Kala Academy’s Silver Jubilee Celebration of Tiatr Competition, Dalgado Academy’s Daiz Puroskar, Jack Sequeira Puroskar by Taleigao Songit ani Somajik Kala Kendra and felicitation by Konkani monthly magazine ‘Gulab’. He is also the recipient of prestigious State Cultural Award in the field of literature in the year 2004-05.

Profile Courtesy: Tiatr Academy of Goa

Priti P Lotlikar

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 4^th 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

Thomas Antao

THOMAS ANTAO

Hailing from Dongorim, Nuvem Salcete, Thomas Domingos Rosario Antao popularly known as Thomas Mestri or Thomson was born on 7^th March 1939. He started learning music at the very young age of 7 from Parochial Music School under the guidance of late Maestro Jose Antonio Gonsalves from Calata. Initially he started with violin, then turned his attention to play Banjo and Trumpet. He played Banjo for the bands of famous musicians of that time like Anton Moraes, Paixao Mestri, etc. Later he tried rehearsing trumpet on his own which he bought from the money he earned by playing Banjo for dramas.

At that time he got an opportunity to compose music for a ‘Quadril’ (a type of Carnival play) during carnival time. With his innovative music, this young talented musician won the hearts and accolades from the audience which brought him a lot of fame and popularity. From here he never looked back.

Once he was invited to provide music for a songit khell ‘Bhikari’ by Felly Lucas on All India Radio-Panaji. There were only three musicians; a trumpeter, a saxophonist and a banjo player. There was a Drum Set in the studio but no musician to play. So Thomas doubled up as a drummer too by pedaling with his leg to give beats while blowing his trumpet at the same time. Such was his mastery over musical instruments.

In 1971 he joined another famed musician Urbano Gonsalves to produce music for Rosario Rodrigues’ Troupe where he served for 23 years and performed for almost 50 khell-tiatrs. He also played for leading dramatic troupes of Peconz Rodrigues, Antonio Moraes, Vitorino Pereira, Patrick Dourado, Fr. Freddy J. Da Costa, Premanand Lotlikar, Pascoal Rodrigues, John D’Silva,  Jeffy de Majorda, Pal Soares, Dod de Nuvem, Joaquim Faleiro, Vincy Pereira, Michael Gracias, Jack de Benaulim, Dada de Maina, Domnic Carvalho and many more.

Besides providing music for number of dramas, he also penned and directed his own two khell-tiatrs namely‘Ghatkeak Ghat’ and ‘Inosent Koidi’ which were performed on the feast day of his village chapel at Dongorim. In these Tiatrs, veteran artistes like Kid Boxer, Dod de Verna, Platilda, Aires had participated. He has performed as a musician for almost over hundred songit-khells on A.I.R.

Besides Tiatrs he has been teaching music and training young talent for many years and have produced many promising musicians in Salcete.

He was presented with ‘Gulab’ Award for best music for the Tiatr ‘Amchem Ghor’ by Rosario Rodrigues and was also felicitated by Kala Academy Goa on Tiatr Day in the year 2004.

Profile Courtesy: Tiatrist Academy of Goa

Sacramento Pereira

SACRAMENTO PEREIRA

Sacramento Pereira was born on 29^th October 1945 at Cortalim. As a child his talent for singing was noticed by the Parish Priest of Loutolim were he started singing for the church choir. He stepped on tiatr stage at the tender age of 9 by performing in annually held Khell-tiatrs every 3^rd of May at Cortalim Cross Junction; thereby kick starting his long journey on the tiatr stage.

After his graduation and undergoing a Course in Indian Penal Code, Sacramento joined Provedoria (Institute of Public Assistance) where he was appointed as a Social Worker. Despite a very demanding professional career, he was totally dedicated to the Konkani Tiatr stage, thus performing in and out of the State. Whenever he used to get free time, he used to dedicate it to practice and rehearse for Tiatrs.

He has composed more than a hundred songs and also performed in number of memorable Tiatrs. He worked with stalwarts like M. Boyer, Jacinto Vaz, Christopher-Meena, Anil Kumar, Menino de Bandar, Ligorio Fernandes, Jess Fernandes, Roseferns, Bonaventure D’Pietro, Tomazinho Cardozo, etc. He performed roles of wide variety mainly lead roles and has several awards to his credit for his acting and singing. He excelled  in Ligorio’s Khell-tiatrs like like ‘Papi’, ‘Julius Ceasar’, ‘Jesmina’, ‘Apovnnem’,‘Jesjudas’,  

‘Bhogsonnem Nam’, etc. In 1984, he wrote and directed his own, a religious drama entitled, ‘Sontosache Panch Mister’ which was a super hit completing more than 100 shows being performed all over Goa, Mumbai, Pune, Karwar, Mangalore, etc.

He has an unfinished Tiatr on the Life of Blessed Mother Theresa written in 1980 when she was still alive. However he was denied the permission by the Mother herself as she was against gaining publicity.

In the year 1984, he was promoted to the post of the Assistant Director of Provedoria, Panaji. However his love to explore the world made him leave the lucrative position and go to USA in order to fulfil his wish to see the world. For the next twelve years he continued to perform in Tiatrs after every eight months when he would come down to Goa for his holidays. In the year 1988 he produced a Konkani audio album ‘Mog Jezucho’.

In the year 1996 at the peak age of his life, he got a paralytic stroke. This was a great blow and a setback for his career in Tiatr. This unfortunate incident did not deter him for his love for Tiatr as he still performed successfully in the role of a paralytic offered to him by Ligorio Fernandes in his Lenten drama ‘Jezu-Vatt, Sot ani Jivit’.

He dedicated nearly 40 years of his life for Tiatr stage as an actor, singer, writer, director and producer. This versatile actor has to leave the Tiatr stage permanently when he suffered another stroke in the year 2000 and till now he has been completely bedridden. However, his immense love for Konkani stage will never end.

Profile Courtesy: Tiatrist Academy of Goa

Socorro De St. Cruz

SOCORRO DE ST. CRUZ

Konkani songs commonly known as kantaram are the soul of the Goan culture. Over the years the kantaram have been kept alive in the hearts of Goans spread across the globe by people like late Alfred Rose with his popular and catchy songs and late Chris Perry who has enriched the Konkani kantar with everlasting and modern music. And now, walking in their footsteps is Socorro Fernandes from Santa Cruz who has made an immense contribution to the Konkani ‘kantar’. He has strived to popularize Konkani music among the Goans and Konkani speaking people all over the world. His idol from a very young age has been, and will always be the legendary Alfred Rose, so much so that his compositions are based on the same lines as Alfred Rose’s songs.

Born on 8th July 1960, Socorro Antonio Agnelo Lourenco Fernandes popularly known as Socorro de St. Cruz has been a phenomenon on the Konkani stage today. His popular songs, conveying values to the youth and the society at large, have gained him due recognition.

His sweet and melodious voice has captured and enthralled the hearts of many Goans, both in Goa and abroad. He has been serving the Konkani stage for over 33 years as a professional stage artiste, besides being a lyricist and composer. With his thought provoking songs in several tiatrs and musical shows, this stage artiste continues to win appreciation and admiration from the Konkani audience.

Singing Konkani songs on varied themes with confidence and nostalgia is Socorro’s forte, besides being an acclaimed actor and producer on the Konkani stage. He proudly says that music runs in his family, as his late father was an accomplished musician who would pull crowds with his baritone, trumpet and violin. He played for the band ‘Band Cota’ during his time.

Socorro first stepped on the stage at the tender age of 11 at Bando, Santa Cruz in 1971. He sang two comedy solos ‘Kazar’ and ‘Pottant Zanv’ penned specially for him by Seby Mascarenhas from Vasco in a tiatr named‘Bensak Lagon’ written and directed by Arthur Fernandes on the occasion of the feast of St. Sebastian. People showed so much appreciation for the first song that, he got encore for five times and three times for the second one. Very soon, he was picked up by the professional tiatrists. A tiatr artiste Lourence Azavedo introduced him to an illustrious tiatr artiste of that time, Remmie Colaco. Socorro made his debut on professional stage in Remmie’s tiatr ‘Kiteak Upkarlem’ at Sanvordem in the year 1981. In due course of time he blossomed into a successful and acclaimed stage artiste. Thereafter, he started writing his own songs, ‘Bhavacho Adhar Bhoinnik’ being his first composition.
Later Socorro made it a yearly affair of writing his own tiatrs to be staged for the feast in his ward Bando. So far he has written and directed 12 tiatrs, ‘Favo Naslem’, ‘Kitem Fuddar?’, ‘Koslo Faido?’, ‘Konn Vaitt?’, ‘Kallo Fator’, ‘Zanna Zaunk Zai’, ‘Tujea Faideak’, ‘Mhaka Tench Tuka’, ‘Kornneanchem Farikponn’, ‘Kallzak Faxi’to name a few which he performed in his village. He also tasted great success on professional stage by showing his 4 tiatrs, ‘Mhaka Tench Tuka’, ‘Vat’, ‘Kantte’ and ‘Hanv Porot Yetelim’ which he performed all over Goa. Besides this, he broadcast four songit khells, ‘Okhondd Fator’, ‘Koslo Faido?’, ‘Rontto’ and ‘Tujea Faideak’ on All India Radio-Panaji. In 1990-91 he has also participated in Kala Academy’s Tiatr Competition with his tiatr,‘Kornneanchem Farikponn’. He also rendered his songs on AIR and Goa Doordarshan.
Besides his own tiatrs, he has acted in over 80 tiatrs with senior directors like M. Boyer, C. Alvares, Prem Kumar, John Claro, C. D’Silva and Joe Rose among others. He also acted with present generation directors like Prince Jacob, John D’Silva, Milagres de Chandor, Wilmix-Sharon, Pascoal Rodrigues, etc.
In between he teamed up with Aniceto, another talented singer from his village and started singing Duos. Later on Bab Andrew joined them and formed a Trio. Most of their songs are focused on religious and secular topics. This Trio became very popular and has been very much appreciated by the audience.

During his trips abroad, Socorro won accolades from the Goans settled in the Gulf and European countries. Goans across the world will certainly remember and love to listen the songs of this soft-spoken artiste which in turn will bring them closer to their homeland.

Till date, this artiste has created over 700 Konkani songs on different issues related to Goa and he also has to his credit around 23 audio albums like ‘Fatima Saibinn’, ‘Festacho Dis’, ‘Valor’, ‘Dormachim Tin Thikam’, ‘Devak Sodta’, ‘Bogsonnem’, ’Dev Kallzant Ravta’, ‘Dita Toxem Gheta’, ‘Sat Dis’, ‘Sunami’, ‘Tin Chimtteo Mati’,‘Jezuk Zoi Zoi’, ‘Xikxa’, ‘Challis Dis’, ‘Niz Gõykar’, ‘Potugez Passport’, ‘Bharat Amcho Des’, ‘Don Rupam’,‘Natalamcho Kusvar’, ‘Dev Nhidonk Nam’ ‘Golden Hits’, ‘Best Hits’, ‘Devachim Rochnam’ and 8 VCDs like‘Aslo Thoimch Pavlo’, ‘No Time’, ‘Fashion’, ‘All the Best’, ‘Old Is Gold’, ‘Amkam Eleisanv Naka’, ‘Tension’, and ‘Time Pass’. He proudly says that his enterprising wife Libania (Liby) has been an inspiration behind his success. Production of all his audio albums/VCDs and their marketing has been her forte.

He has rendered his voice in several Konkani albums of other producers too. Some of Socorro’s popular songs include ‘No Time’ and ‘Tuka Pois Kelo’. He has won five times Best Singer Award in the tiatr competitions organized annually by Kala Academy Goa, besides several prizes in singing contests. His audio album,‘Natalamcho Kusvar’ was adjudged Best Konkani Album of the Year at Konkani Song & Music Awards 2012 organized by Tiatr Academy of Goa. He was also felicitated by various organizations including Kala Academy for his outstanding contribution in singing during their Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Tiatr Competitions and Jack Sequeira Puroskar by Songit ani Somajik Kala Kendra, Taleigao.

Due to his involvement in his first love, Konkani stage, Socorro who was a very brilliant student had to quit after studying up to S.Y.BSc as simultaneously he took up a job as a Laboratory Assistant in a school which was of his liking. He was looking for a particular half day job so that he could get more time to devote for tiatr activities.Although a Lab Assistant he also possess good teaching abilities and teaches most of the subjects like Maths, Science and Konkani in his school.

His legacy in singing is carried forward by his daughter Sonia who accompanies him in duets on the Konkani stage and his younger daughter Priyanka is also following in his footsteps. While continuing his dedicated service to Konkani stage, Socorro who reminisces that at the age of 12, he dreamt to be a musician like his father and had even began learning to play a trumpet, but tiatr took him to some other world. And now, he is on the verge of fulfilling his long pending dream. On his 53rd birthday his younger daughter gifted him a new trumpet and he is about to complete the full course to be a full-fledged trumpeter.

Antonio Vithal Furtado

ANTONIO VITAL FURTADO

Born on 5^th June 1948 at Benaulim in the family of tiatrists, Antonio Vital Furtado is the second son of Constatino Furtado and Josephine Rodrigues. He took up singing at the very young age of 11 when he got an opportunity to sing for the cultural programme of his school Holy Trinity High School, Benaulim. He rendered a duo ‘Dogui Dholye’ with his cousin David Rodrigues. Their lively performance caught the eyes of the audience.

Later on he started participating in the village tiatrs and concerts. Somewhere in 1971 he joined his cousin Rosario Rodrigues, and formed a troupe under which Rosario’s hit non-stop tiatr ‘Meenakxi’ was staged. This opened the gates for Vital to make a career in tiatr from where he went on to become an established actor.

He has participated in almost all the tiatrs staged by late Rosario Rodrigues where this versatile actor played different roles like a priest, beggar, inspector, advocate, etc. He is still remembered for his comedy role in Rosario’s non-stop tiatr ‘Fattim Pavlo’ and his punch line “mamre”.

Besides acting and singing, he has written his own tiatrs like ‘Dis ani Rat’, ‘To Tuzo Bhav’, ‘Miss Aruna’, etc which were well received by the tiatr lovers. He has also composed a number of songs and written one act plays.

Profile Courtesy: Tiatrist Academy of Goa

A.M.Pacheco

A.M.PACHECO

Antonio Menino Pacheco popularly known as A. M. Pacheco was born on 18^th November 1954 to late Constancio P. Pacheco and Rosa Maria Pacheco. He began his career as tiatrist at a tender age of 16. He used to participate in village tiatrs and khells during carnival. Encouraged by the accolades from the audience for his performances, he began writing his own khell-tiatrs. His very first khell-tiatr, ‘Odruxtt’ was an instant hit which established him as an acclaimed writer/director of khell-tiatrs. This was followed by another khell-tiatr ‘Mr. Romeo’ which also tasted huge success.

So far, Pacheco has written and directed 22 dramas/Khell-tiatrs which includes ‘Odruxt’ (1974), ‘Mr. Romeo’(1974), ‘Vis Vorsam Adim’ (1975), ‘Mhozo Konnuch Nam’ (1976), ‘Kalljidar’ (1977), ‘Don Roste’ (1978),‘Visvas Ghat’ (1979), ‘Lolo’ (1979), ‘Daag’ (1980), ‘Fator’ (1981), ‘Ghor’ (1982), ‘Mati’ (1982), ‘Udok’ (1983),‘Tan’ (1984), ‘Tunch Mhoji Savlli’ (1984), ‘Aimori’ (1985), ‘Tem Tujem’ (1985), ‘Kantto’ (1986), ‘Rekad’(1987), ‘Tukach Ravtali’ (2004), ‘Kunead’ (2009) and ‘Nam Tem Nam’ (2012).

Beside writing his own tiatrs, Pacheco has also acted in number of tiatrs of veteran tiatr artistes of yesteryears  like C. Alvares (Konnank Sangonaka), Prem Kumar (Rakhnno), Rosario Rodrigues (Patkinn, Yevnk Nam, Ekech Ratri), Patric Dourado (Mhoji Sangatin, Nomoskar), Vitorino Pereira (To Nhoim Voh, Sot Vo Sopon, Hippy, Upkari), Premanand Sangodkar (Dolle Dhampche Adim), Mike Mehta (Vingas) and also in tiatrs of present generation directors like Anton Santiago ‘Gobro’ (Dev Dotor Duddu), Churchil Alemao (Bhatt ani Vatt), Jose Mascarenhas (Tujim Utram Mhoje Dolle), Tony Dias (Mahanand Monis Vo Soitan), Diogo Gracias (Gharache Dive, Jurament, Odruxtt Ghorabeacher) Comedian Ambe (Dantui Mhoje Vonttui Mhoje, Kallem Mazor, Denvti, Hi Kudd Matiyek Laitat, Dhanvta To Ghoddo, Khori Khuxalkay, Osleo Suno Gharant Yetoch, Ekuch Pavtt Zolmota, To Fottoilear Fottovna, Utram), etc.

Pacheco also acted in Konkani telefilms entitled ‘Zulum’ produced by Bonifacio Dias and ‘American Dollars’ by S. Pegado.

Profile Courtesy: Tiatrist Academy of Goa