As an admirer and ardent fan of the late Tiatrist Nelson Afonso, I must say Eureka – Eureka for getting an opportunity to listen to the Audio CD – Konkani Album - released by his son Tomy – popularly known as Jr.Nelson. It is a masterpiece of history, wisdom and boldness all woven in the songs rendered by Jr. Nelson individually and in Trio describing the greatness of his late father as a Tiatrist. As an old timer Tiatro goer I am well aware of the events taken place then with regards to the stories mentioned in these songs. I feel all the old timer Tiatro goers must not miss the opportunity to listen this CD. My admiration goes to Jr. Nelson for inheriting the wisdom and boldness of his father in hitting hard to those who he felt done injustice to his father.
Front cover of CD
His late father Nelson Afonso had distinction of even instilling fear into the mind and heart of the mighty Dayananda Bandodcar and in fact Bandodcar was not afraid of 12 UG members in the Legislative Assembly but was afraid only of Nelson’s Trio. This was because Nelson’s Trio could do from the Stage what 12 gigantic members of UG could not do in the Assembly. That was the mighty intellectual power of Nelson’s Trio. Besides, the late Nelson Afonso was the innovative Tiatrist who had unique distinction of staging Tiatros first time on Moving Stage (Dolorosa Tiatro) and Sliding Stage as well. His compositions were of very high grade as far as story, philosophy and decency are concerned. His best political Trio was rendered immediately following the Opinion Poll in praise of Goan voters saying “XIKKO MARLO PANALA ANI DOPKO DILO FULALA”. His best Tiatros were “NATIONALIST, ALMAS DO OUTRO MUNDO, GHORABO and BONDDOLIST. As a human being, Nelson Afonso was a very kind hearted and simple man without having artificial pride.
During the Portuguese rule in Goa many times I saw him singing duets with Anthony D’Souza hitting hard the then mighty Bamon Bhatkarshahi. He was doing the role of a female since he had beautiful attractive looks. After the invasion of Goa by Bharat, thru his initiative a Tiatro troupe called “Young Stars of Goa” was formed somewhere in 1962/1963 and he was the de facto leader of this group which was just an institution by itself. This group lasted till 1975 when in an internal coup piloted by Conception and Anthony, splitted their mighty Trio keeping Nelson out. Shocked over the ingratitude towards him over his ouster by his other two companions whom he brought into limelight, Nelson rendered a beautiful song in 1976/77 saying what good he did for their Trio. Because of its superlative quality he was gifted everywhere he rendered this song with some amount of money by the members of the audience. This song one can listen thru the voice of his son in the Album “Sasnnachea Sasnnak” (last song).
In the history of Tiatro the first known Trio was formed by Kid Boxer-Young Menezes-Minguel Rod popularly known as Kid-Young-Rod and this one Trio was enough then to fill the “Mattou” or Hall to capacity. But gradually because of the fame of this trio, somebody from the Tiatro fraternity became jealous and piloted the split of this trio and took Minguel Rod apart leaving Kid and Young separately and forming a new quartet consisting of Minguel Rod-Jacinto Vaz- C. Alvares-Alexinho de Candolim.
Conception-Nelson-Anthony Trio was the second known popular Trio on Konkani Stage but more powerful than the first one. This trio was singing songs mostly on the local politics of which type none of the current Tiatrists sing. For this reason the memory of this most memorable Trio which served Goa and Goan causes so well and was formed by Nelson himself, will remain forever.
Coming back to the Album “Sasnnachea Sassnak” by Jr. Nelson which was released a year back, consists of 13 beautiful songs comprising Solos, Duets, Trios and Quartets rendered by Jr. Nelson, Com. Selvy, Sabina, Felcy, Cyril Ferrao, Sylvester Vaz, Tony de Ribanda, Saby de Divar, Salu de Loutolim, Joaquim Cabral and Jr. Conception & Jr. Souza Boy.
All the songs are very good but some are the best namely Jr. Nelson’s title song “Sasnnachea Sasnnak”, Trio “Tiatristancho Vavr” by Jr. Conception-Jr. Nelson-Jr. Souza Boy, Solo “Sothache Ulhas” by Jr. Nelson, Solo “Pope Francis” by Felcy, a romantic solo “Tukach Ravtam” by melodious singer Cyril Ferrao and a comedy duet by Selvy and Sabina. The songs all but last one were scripted by Jr. Nelson. Musical score was beautifully provided by Jack Rebello & James Vaz.
It was nice on the part of Jr. Nelson to introduce first time in this Album the sons of the late Conception and Souza Boy and both sing well like their fathers.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim, Goa.
7507394349.