Yesterday, 30.12.14, Tiatr Academy of Goa organised a function in Panjim, at 4.30 PM, in honour of 16 Tiatr personalities who all are dead but all were born in this month. Organising such functions monthly once is the trend set in motion by Tiatr Academy of Goa. Lot of efforts is put in organizing such functions by TAG headed by Prince Jacob. But what is regrettable is the fact that it is not marketed properly to draw the attention of the Tiatr lovers and precisely because of this deficiency very few people attend these function as it happened today. It hurts me to say that there were hardly 35 people in attendance today when the significance of this event is so great and it was so informative on historical point of view.
William seen speaking
In today’s function some of the giants of Konkani Stage were remembered and their contributions in the promotion of Tiatros were highly eulogized by the researchful matter delivered to the audience by William, Coney M. and Anil Kumar.
Prince Jacob welcomed the gathering and handed over the podium to William who spoke on 5 Tiatrists namely, Pai Tiatrist Joa Agostinho Fernandes, Miss Carlota, Andrew Fernandes, Anthony Mendes and Young Menezes while Coney M. spoke on P.Nazareth, Rosario Dias, Vincente de Saligao and Sebastian Miranda (Tiatro Contractor) and finally Anil Kumar spoke on Florence Fernandes, Nolasco Dias, John Gomes Kokoy, Sucurro Piedade de Verna, Rosario de Souza de Taleigao and Rex de Bardez.
Coney M. speaking
Next time TAG must try to find out some elder Tiatrists and more knowledgeable persons who can deliver better and more information on the late Tiatrists. Since it is a paid job as per my information, I feel TAG should hunt different persons to throw more light on the dead Tiatrists.
The speakers must try to highlight on the ideology and philosophy of the Tiatrists they speak on and not just the history and if necessary, quote some matter of their performances like a verse or two of their memorable songs.
Anil Kumar speaking
Speaking on Young Menezes’ epic song of 500 words as indicated by William, it was a fast pace song and being very lengthy, he was so exhausted while singingthat he even was bending in front and holding his hands on his stomach to control himself. When somebody from the audience said it did not contain 500 words, Kid Boxer came on to the Stage with the script and challenged anyone to prove it was not while offering Rs. 500/- to that person otherwise the challenger had to pay Rs. 500/- Finally nobody came forward and the matter ended there. It was somewhere in 1955 in Candolim. Secondly it was not Young Menezes who introduced Rap type of songs on Konkani Stage but Kid Boxer. Young Menezes was perfect in forming appropriate Rhyming for his songs and none can beat him in this segment till now.
Regarding Rex de Bardez, he worked in Kuwait for few years till August 1990 and later part of his life as Gospel preacher in Goa. He staged his one Tiatro in Kuwait for which as a Chief Guest he brought especially from Goa Shri Churchill Alemao. He was a very good, melodious and bold singer and an excellent composer. His added advantage was that he was very fast composer and could on the spot sing one verse and one chorus on any given topic. Such a fast composer I am yet to see on Konkani stage. Best of his Stage performances he performed in Kuwait.
A. Veronica Fernadmes,
Candolim, Goa.
Tel: 7507394349.