As announced, the scheduled monthly meeting of Tiatr Academy of Goa was held in Panaji on 28.04.14 at 4.30 PM at the Conference Hall, Tiatr Academy of Goa, 2ndFloor, Campal Trade Centre, Campal – Panaji, Goa, to remember the late Tiatro artistes and their contribution in the field of Tiatro who were born in April, namely Jacinto Vaz, A.S. Conception, Nelson Afonso, Thomas Coogan, Champion Alvares, William de Curtorim, Fidelis Fernandes, Souza Boy and Luciano.
In the absence of Prince Jacob the president of Tiatr Academy of Goa who was busy with his Tiatro, the meeting was chaired by the Vice President Jose Rose who along with his colleague in the Academy spoke on the said late Tiatrists indicating their contribution in the field Tiatro.
First & Second From Left: Son & Daughter of Champion Alvares.
Those who initiated this Academy deserved highest compliments because thru these monthly meetings the memories of the dead Tiatrists are kept alive and thus their contribution to the Konkani Stage is kept immortal.
TAG according to my information is a government funded organization and those who speak on the subject are paid by the TAG and also travelling allowance is paid to the concerned persons participating in these meetings.
Since I returned to Goa 4 months back I had the opportunity to attend two such meetings and I found they were very interesting being very informative. But my regret was that these meetings were thinly attended as seen in the picture, may be because of lack of adequate publicity. Those who should attend these meetings in bigger number are keeping themselves absent either with good reason or with laziness. In future the organizers of these meetings must make extra efforts to get more people so that the message is spread far and wide. And if any publicity is required thru this forum, it will be done voluntarily, of course free of charge.
Since Champion Alvares was one of the artistes remembered, his son and daughter were given an opportunity to render songs of their late father, of course to the delight of the audience dotted with relatives of the artistes. Jacinto Vaz’s son also rendered one verse and one chorus of his late father’s song “GOENCHO RADIO” which was very funny and witty making mockery of All India Radio, Goa. Because of this song which was so popular in Goa during those days, All India Radio, Goa slapped a ban on airing Jacinto Vaz’s songs. Luciano Dias’ wife was presented with a memento.
Rear row, 5th from left Mrs. Luciano Dias.
William de Curtorim and Luciano Dias were close to me since both of them stayed with me in Kuwait at my residence and because of this I learnt more of them not only as Tiatrists but also as human beings beyond the Stage forum. Champion Alvares was my very good friend during my College days and I found him very informative on Konkani Stage and on Stage artistes of yesteryears. His one Mando “ISTIMOSAUM ROZACHEM” and one Dulpod “CHANFEA –CHANFEA TUJIM OUDUIM PANAM” indicate genius in him. Conception was the best artiste whom I saw first time in my life in 1958 singing a solo called “DOL TOMOR” calling upon the locals for a meeting. It was a comedy solo. During Portuguese time as per my knowledge he was banned from entering any Indian territory because of which he could not go to Bombay to participate in DOIA Tiatro. He came into greater limelight when he played excellent roles in Airestedes Dias’ Tiatro “DOIA” and “SOTH BAVARTACHEM” a few years before Goa was grabbed by Nehru’s Bahrat.
Son of Jacinto Vaz.
Nelson Afonso was a solid pillar of Young Stars of Goa which was formed in 1962 and where he was the part of the political trio Con-Nel-Ant. Thru their Trio songs they terrified Bandodcar’s government and as a matter of interest, Bandodcar was not afraid of all the 12 gigantic UG MLA’s in the Goa Legislative Assembly but was afraid only of this Trio. During Portuguese time Nelson was a member of Stars of Goa Stage where he was singing duets with Anthony D’Souza and since he had female facial resemblance he opted to play the role of a female. Being innovative artiste he first time in Tiatro history introduced “Moving Stage” and later on “Sliding Stage”. That was the history he made. He wrote many Tiatros but the best among all were NATIONALIST, SALAZAR, ALMAS DO OUTRO MUNDO, GHORABO and DOLOROSA.
