Pradeep Naik
One of the best Konkani Stage artistes one can find now is none other than Pradeep Naik from Carambolim Goa. His character roles in different directors’ Tiatros create very impressive image of his Tiatro art though because of his busy work schedule at Art and Culture Dept., Government of Goa at Panaji where he is employed, he acts only in limited Tiatros especially after studying the suitability of the roles he is offered by the directors. The recent magnificent role he played of a father in the Tiatro “Pai” of Comedian Agostinho is one of the most memorable roles he played in his career so far, as at least I have noticed. Precisely because of this extraordinary feat he was awarded the best actor award.
Pradeep Naik seen as Portuguese Official in Goa
According to Pradeep Naik, it was by accident that he entered the Konkani Tiatro Stage starting from the very early age when he was schooling at Morjim but now he enjoys every bit of it. Having in the family his grandfather as expert in the drama art being a well-known director, he taught the young Pradeep the art of acting in the dramas. Later on as a young boy he shifted his residence to Carambolim where actually he was groomed in the art of Tiatro though earlier he was already established himself as one of the best Marathi Drama artistes. It is here in Marathi Dramas that he polished his drama art and later on applied this talent to Konkani Tiatros. It is because of their earlier background in acting in Marathi dramas that many of our Hindu artistes maintain their perfection on Tiatro Stage, Pradeep Naik being a Hindu is one such perfectionist.
Pradeep Naik seen as Shenoy Goembab
At the age of 18 according to Pradeep, he acted first time in Tiatro at Carambolim and later on got a chance to show his talent in the competitive Tiatro Festivals at Kala Academy, Panjim where in the Tiatro “Zoitachi Ek Bukh” he won the best actor award. As a matter of pride, he won 4 times best actor award in the competitions at Kala Academy, Panjim. Then onwards, there was no stopping for Pradeep as innumerable directors started offering him different roles in their Tiatros. Some of the directors who inducted Pradeep in their Tiatros were Comedian Domnic, Mariano Fernandes, Fr. Neville, Francis de Tuem and Comedian Agostinho.
Pradeep Naik in one of the Tiatros
During the yesteryears, Tiatrists like Tony Sax, Anthony D’Sa, C. Alvares, Prem Kumar and Conception were great stalwarts of Konkani Stage who were known to play character roles with topmost precision. And currently I can rightly include Pradeep Naik in that bracket since he belongs to that great class of yesteryears greats. Pradeep Naik’s delivery is perfect with very good clarity, dress code is very appropriate, body language very well and positioning himself on the stage is superb. In the current crop of Tiatrists I don’t see any artiste like Pradeep Naik who can rise to any height in performing great character roles.
Pradeep Naik receiving National Kala Bushan Award 2015
Academically being a University graduate, besides winning innumerable awards and prizes by acting in Konkani and Marathi dramas, Pradeep Naik is also known to be a good journalist and an established Anchor. A young man having lot of humility, he is a very humble and decent human being minus any pride. Such humane qualities are rarely seen in many of our current Tiatrists. His charisma is his charismatic natural smile ever existing on his face and that attracts people towards him. One of the major reasons according to Pradeep to reach to the top ladder of Tiatro acting is the strong support he receives from his wife who is very encouraging and also from his young daughter.
As a Tiatrist he travelled many parts of the world including the Gulf and UK and as matter of interest he received warm welcome from Goans there either from the Stage or beyond. He found this attitude of Goans especially of Tiatro fans unique and for which he feels very much indebted to Tiatro fans. He also praised his Tiatro colleagues for welcoming him in their midst with open arms without doing any discrimination. He feels he is totally integrated in Tiatro fraternity by becoming a part of it.