Anthony San

ANTHONY SAN

Real Name:  Jose Antonio Agostinho Fernandes 

Stage Name: Anthony San

Date of Birth: 13th June 1956

Albums Released:

1.Goa

2.Ttik Ttok Typist 

3.Ekvott 

4. Rakhnno Boddvo 

5. Goencho Saib 

6. O Ami Goenkar

7. Axirvad

8. Xitkoddi 

9.Goenchea Saibacho Bhavarth

10.Mog’

As a little boy Anthony happen to accompany his father to watch M. Boyer’s tiatr, ‘Atam Konn Ghatki?’ and was seated just behind the musicians. The legendry singer Alfred Rose came on stage to render the opening song. It was at this moment that his father whispered in his ears. “Will you be able to sing like Alfred Rose?” This was the turning point in his career for this versatile singer who has come a long way lending his melodious voice to several tiatrs and musical shows. 

Born in the year 1956 on the feast day of St. Anthony on June 13 at Sanguem, Jose Antonio Agostinho Fernandes (Anthony San) is the eldest son of late Sebastiao Fernandes and late Christalina. He took to singing when he was seven years old when he got an opportunity to sing for his school cultural programme at Guardian Angel High School. He picked up Alfred Rose’s popular song ‘I love Esta, Lovely Esta’ and sang it with gusto and passion. The standing ovation that followed motivated him to pursue singing career.

During his childhood, his paternal uncle, Antonio Fernandes would purchase gramophone records, especially of Alfred Rose. When they used to be played at home, Anthony would learn all the songs by heart. As his uncle was also a great lover of tiatr, Anthony San would accompany him for several shows and that’s how his interest and love for tiatrs developed.

Unfortunately, during those days, there were no music schools in the villages where Anthony could be groomed in singing. For him the passion to learn music came along only when he was able to stand on his own feet and when he got a suitable job in a nationalized bank. When he got his first salary, his first thought was to buy a guitar. He went ahead and purchased one in 1978. That prized possession is still preserved by him.

Anthony San is one of the few from the existing senior tiatrist who have undergone training in music and voice modulation. He is a product of Kala Academy’s School of Western Music being trained under voice teacher Miss Leopoldina Figueiredo and learnt guitar with Mr. Schubert Cota, a classical guitar exponent. He also enrolled himself in ‘Music Circle’, a reputed music school in Margao to further sharpen his musical skills. It was late Fr. Lourdino Baretto who felt that Anthony San’s considerable talents were not being given due credit and offered him a lead role in an English opera ‘Princess Ida’ whose dramatic success led to two more offers, both English operas by late Fr. Camilo Xavier called ‘La Belle Helen’ and ‘Gypsy Love’. These English operas exploited his acting and singing talents to the maximum, thereby laying a good foundation for his future prospects on the tiatr stage.

Anthony San’s entry on professional stage came when he acted in co-villager and celebrated tiatr artiste Remmie Colaco’s tiatr ‘Don Kallzam’ at the early age of 19. It was a huge opportunity for him to sing in company with tiatr greats like Souza Ferrao, C. Alvares, M. Boyer, Jacinto Vaz, Antonette Mendes, Alfred Rose, Rita Rose, Ophelia, Betty Naz, etc. Very soon he got a second offer. It was Rosario Dias’ tiatr ‘Beiman Avoicho Bodmas Put’. Initially, he was known to the tiatr fraternity as Anthony Fernandes which later he changed it to Anthony De Sanvordem in tribute to his village. The present stage name came to him when the stage manager of Aristides Dias’ troupe Mr. Fellow Rebello pasted the summary of the tiatr ‘Koidi’, referring to him as Anthony San (shorter word for Sanvordem) in the line-up. Anthony somehow liked this name and adopted it immediately.

In the 70’s and 80’s, big recording companies like HMV and Polydor were reluctant to introduce young voices or new faces in their albums. They only preferred senior and established singers and, of course, Alfred Rose and Chis Perry topped their list. Anthony San took a big risk and produced his very own first audio album (cassette) called ‘Goa’ in 1980, thus earning the credit of being the youngest tiatr artiste to bring out audio album at that time. The music for this album was arranged by famous music director late Emiliano D’Cruz backed by topmost cine musicians. His musically inclined brother Vincent and two highly talented sisters Luiza and Felly also sang in this album. Thereafter, he went on to produce nine more albums like ‘Ttik Ttok Typist’, ‘Ekvott’, ‘Rakhnno Boddvo’, ‘Ami Goenkar’, ‘Goencho Saib’, ‘Goenchi Xitkoddi’, ‘Goenchea Saibacho Bhavarth’, ‘Axirvad’and ‘Mog’. Many of his songs can be heard regularly on All India Radio. Besides his own albums, he also rendered his voice for other several audio/video albums and also did playback singing for many Konkani films.

In 1984, Anthony San staged his first tiatr ‘Darvontto’ followed by ‘Faleam Euchonam’, ‘Ekuch Ghor’, ‘Moddko’, ‘Novem Jivit’, ‘Paktte’, ‘Ghor vo Ghorabo’, ‘Mhaka Tuji Goroz’ and ‘Sot’.

Anthony was so ambitious to be a playback singer in film industry that he sought a temporary transfer in Mumbai so that he can try his luck.  He gave an audition test for Cine Singers Association. Only 12 were selected out of 82 odd participants. One of them being Anthony. He got an opportunity to sing a popular jingle with now famous playback singer Shaan for Amul milk products. But he had to return back to Goa as his indifferent health did not permit him to continue in Mumbai environment.

Anthony has several awards under his belt. His first award came in 1976 when he was declared the Best Singer in All Goa Singing Competition organized by Goa Cultural and Social Centre. Now and then he has been receiving several awards for singing, acting and playback singing. He has been felicitated by various cultural groups and associations for his dedicated efforts towards Konkani stage. But he narrates proudly his most cherished moment which came when his idol Alfred Rose included him in his troupe for performing musical shows in Kuwait way back in 1985.

Presently serving as a Branch Manager in Dena Bank at Loutulim, Anthony San has less time on hand to mesmerize the crowds with his irresistible voice. In his opinion, devotion to tiatrs demands full time for direction, rehearsals and marketing strategy as well. Additional responsibilities deprive him from dedicating himself whole heartedly to tiatr. But as and when he get any opportunity, he never fails to grab it and give his best to his fans.

His legacy in singing is carried forward by his daughter Clarissa who was first introduced in his audio album,‘Axirvad’ at the age of nine. His son Clifton also showed interest in music and accompanies Anthony on keyboards for his musical shows. His better half Julieta has always been supporting him in his activities. He is due to retire from his service in June 2016 and thereafter he plans to devote his full time to tiatr and music. Presently he is in process of producing a Konkani celluloid film for which he has already recorded some songs. Simultaneously, he is also working on his long time pending dream of producing a Hindi pop album.

Kid Boxer

Kid Boxer

Real Name: Caetano Manuel Pereira

Born: 17th February 1917

Died: 3rd March 1991

Caetano Manuel Pereira was born on February 17, 1917 at Siolim, Goa. His childhood naughtiness earned him the nickname ‘Boxer’ which was adapted to the stage name of Kid Boxer by Ernest Rebello. At first he used to act in small small tiatrs and like other tiatrist he got his first break to sing in Ernest Rebello tiat BOMBAINCHI ISTIL. Kids song was was so good that gradually he got offers to sing in tiatrs of the famous directors and artists of the time like,  Joao Agostinho Fernandes, Souza Ferrao, J.P.Souzalin, Andrew Fernandes, Saib Rocha, Miss Julie,Anthony Too Loo, Champion Alvares, Minguel Rod, Anthony Mendes, Young Menezes,  C.Alvares, Alfred Rose, Remmie Colaco etc

Kid Boxers first tiatr was OSTORI, but his most famous tiatr was KIDACHEM SOPON, besides these he wrote Editor Ponch de Bombaim' Ankvar ani Kazari', 'Zata tem Boreak', 'Bhoinn', 'Militar', 'Zulum', 'Amchim Natalam', 'Goa', 'Bankruttan Bankrutt', 'Fuddar', 'Mhozo Oprad', 'Adeus vo Nimnni Bhett'.

He was a member of the famous Kid-Young-Rod trio. The second member was Young Menezes, a jet-speed singer, who once sang a self-composed song of 500 words without pausing to renew his breath. Minguel Rod, one of the greatest Konkani tiatrists, completed the triumvirate.

In 1958 Kid Boxer sang an Anti Indian Song in Mumbai. Goan Freedom Fighters there got him jailed and he was later deported to Goa( shows that Independent India knew that Goa was an independent entity). The Portuguese employed him in Emisorra Goa and as an artist he worked with the likes of Jacinto Vaz, Allen Costa and Georgina Jacques. 

According to many he was the highest paid Konkani artist of that time. Some of his hits were. Divo pettounk guneanacher/ Uzwadd ieunk Chintnacher/ Zo Kon zanna konnem ghoram bandleant tim pongeranchea zaddacher. Suskar soddlet maeyani/Dolle bhortat dukhani/ Aiz putancheo maeyom duddu na zaun, rodtat zorinnim. A song in codes though whose actual meaning was known to his close friends only. Yet his songs were Poppular. The above was scripted when the GOVT Of India banned money transfers and travel for Bombay Goans to Goa in wake of the economic blockade in the 1950’s.

  

After the Indian Invasion he was again arrested while singing in Mapusa. The song he sung was. Tum Bhitor sorlai chukon, mortoloi sukon, dusreacho desh pochona; Tum nestai fokot valo, ani khatai fokot palo, hem matui hanga sobona; Tum panpotti khatai, ani poch’chu korun thuktai, lozui kaim dissona…..

  

After his release Kid returned to Bombay and began stage acting again. In one of his shows containing a ‘zupatti’(tongue lashing) a so called Goan freedom fighter raised a rukus over his anti National song. Though the Audience was with Kid the Law was not. He was arrested and incarcerated at Nasik jail for 6 months and tortured Physically and mercilessly. Still his spirit was not quashed. He wrote another Tiatr, “Somzonnem Zali Chuk”. Here he sang a hit, “Suv mhoine Nasik coventan kaddle, torui converter zaunk na” which means “ Despite being in a Convent in Nasik for 6 months I was not converted”.

  

Kid boxer was an expert and incomparable delivering his melodious ‘zupattis,’ like ‘Nesson dusreachem kapodd, hath paiem kamrun bosleat Makod.” This was in accordance to his conviction and as that of many Goans that Goa was invaded and illegally occupied by India. He passed away on 3rd March 1991 in Parel, Bombay.

Among others, the three great pillars of the golden era were KID-YOUNG-ROD (Kid Boxer, Young Menezes and Minguel Rod); they went on to become the most popular combination of the period.

In the following song, Jr. Rod presents us the above-mentioned three characters by singing one each verse and chorus of their original songs: Here is the verse of Kid Boxer

"KID-YOUNG-ROD" by Jr. Rod

III

Khorench Young Menezes-ak azunui favo vhodd maan
Tannem fast kantaram mhunnon dakoilem tiatristank
Tosoch Kid Boxer oparinchea kantaranim azun asa tann
Dekun Kiddacheo opari atam aikat sintidan

Mim kevrila ala vota Goela, kai fine zaga mure dhandela
Thonddu dukhachi mannsa bogaila, ar’re xethkari gaborte bhattkarla

Va very good night, bhattkar light, xethkari xeth korun raddtta mhunnche kai re, atam tras dite vaitt, atam tumich boga saib, dita bolun pian vazta savkarachi wife

Mi Goela dete vote maddachi, avxila bore mhunntat kazunchi
Bomboila gete vote dobbeachi, punn baiko bolte guttan iete tonddachi
Hadnaim fuk, baiko marte bukh, jasti zali tor ti sangte bhair zavn zop

Ar’re darucha rop, mhunnchem jivitacha fog, mister telling to drink mekomblleacho sop

Kid Boxers popular songs were Simitir, Xenddo,Ugddas, Uzo Petlo and Marekar Teomp with Remmie Colaco.

Courtesy Inputs from the net

Anthony De Sa

Anthony De Sa
Born 1st March 1915
Died 10th July 1969

Anthony De Sa was born on 1^st March 1915 at Dandora in Cuncolim, Salcete Goa, wrote his very first tiatr titled, ‘Zuz Mogachem’ at a very young age in the year 1933.

J.P. Souzalin, one of the most celebrated tiatrist of yesteryears on seeing the singing talent of Anthony De Sa booked him for his next tiatr to sing the opening song. Before Anthony came on stage, it was a prerogative of singers like Patrick Fireman, Luis Borges, Emilidio Sailor, Anthony Vaz, Souza Ferrao and Dioginho de Melo to sing the opening song in any tiatr. Anthony took away that prerogative from these established singers. His first appearance in J.P. Souzalin’s tiatr established this. Thereafter it was only Anthony de Sa to sing the opening song in any tiatr. He had a lot of depth in his compositions and his voice was pleasant, clear and loud. Anthony, slowly started taking interest in acting and developed into a fine actor.

He wrote 17 tiatrs and directed 24 tiatrs of different writers. Some of the tiatrs written by him are ‘Rogtachi Bhett’, ‘Ghatkem Kumsar’, ‘Vingas’, ‘Maim Ti Maim’, ‘Soddtam Devache Nitik’, ‘Farikponn’, ‘Dotor Fotas’, ‘Nirbhag Axechem’, ‘Nores Fonddpi’, ‘Patok Dubavachem’, ‘Inam Zolmancho’, ‘Goemkarancheo Sonvoieo’, ‘Nisontton Fudarachem’, ‘Inam Patkacho’ and ‘Ayah’.

Anthony De Sa has acted in 2 Konkani films (1) Amchem Noxib and (2) Nirmonn. His role in ‘Nirmonn’ will always remain as a proof of his acting abilities for generations to come. He died on 10^th July 1969.

Rom Tony

Rom Tony

Real Name: Antonio Romao Rebello
Stage Name: Rom Tony
Date of Birth: 28h Feb., 1929
Died: 05th April 2005

Rom Tony’ was born on 28th February 1929 at Vasco da Gama and lived his entire life in this port Town. He was employed with the Mormugao Port Trust,  and served the organisation till his retirement. At the age of 18, Antonio Romao Rebello made his debut on the Konkani stage in an amateur production ‘Maim Ti Maim’. It was here that he was spotted by the then Writer-Director Nelson Afonso who  later introduced him to the professional stage.

Young Antonio later took the stage name ‘Rom Tony’ and with his natural composing talent went on to carve a niche for himself on the stage.  A die hard patriot, Rom Tony once composed and sang a song praising the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi and was instantly  arrested by the Portuguese government. But his other colleagues and fans encouraged him to go ahead and not to get disheartened. Rom Tony composed all the 21 songs in one tiatr during his early days. As a professional artist he has been part of the troupe of several well-known directors like M. Boyer, J.P. Souzalin, Prem Kumar, C. Alvares and others.

During his 42 odd years on the Konkani stage, Rom Tony staged several tiatrs of his own like; ‘Goenchem Eliesanv, Dotor, Uxttem, Raj Goribanchem, Dev Dita, Paicher Fest Poddlam, Piso Pulis Inspector, Nimnni Chitt, and Mhozo Put. These shows were staged in Goa and Mumbai. He was once arrested during the Bandodkar regime in Goa for the controversial and hard-hitting script of ‘Goenchem Eleisanv’.  Together with Nelson Afonso and Conception, Rom Tony was responsible for the formation of ‘Young Stars of Goa’, which was one of the strongest contingents of Goan tiatrists.  He formed the famed trio of Rom-Rem-Rod and after ruling the stage for many years one of its members ‘Remmie’ moved to the Gulf. Rom Tony did not give up the trio but substituted the male singer Remmie with a female artist ‘Josephine’ and continued for some more years.

As a composer of high calibre it was obvious that he should produce his own audio albums. When the trend of producing Konkani albums was just setting in, Rom Tony produced two audio albums  ‘Kud’di Bhoinn’ and ‘Kumarak Faxi’. Both his albums were well received.  Rom Tony was honoured by the Government of Goa for his contribution to the Konkani dramas in the year 1999 and was presented a State Award.  In January 2005, Rom Tony was felicitated and presented a memento by Comedian Dominic Coelho during his drama ‘Uzvaddant Kallok’at Gomant Vidya Niketan Margao.

Due to failing health Rom Tony gave up the professional stage way back in 1988, and his last public appearance on stage was for a special programme at Christmas time at the St. Andrew’s Parish Vasco, in 1997, where he composed and sang a special song.  He however continued composing songs till his very end and the songs he composed were rendered on stage by his two  daughters Felcy and Aplon. He passed away on 5th April 2005.

Source: Goanobserver 4th April 2005