Yesterday, 4thof this month, I attended a condolence meeting organised by Tiatr Academy of Goa, at TAG Auditorium, Campal, Panjim, starting at 5.00 pm and attended by the admirers and the relatives of the 5 late Tiatrists namely Cajetan Pinto (Caiti) a make-up man; Inacio Rosario Luis (Jali) a musician – Drummer; A. Fernandes (Tony Sax); Francis Xavier Mendes and Francis X. Barreto. This was the condolence meeting organised by TAG especially to mourn the death of all the mentioned artistes.
Xavier Mendes
The official of TAG Mr. William spoke on the contribution of these Konkani Stage stalwarts towards the development and promotion of our Tiatros. Among the audience who volunteered to speak on the subject were A. Veronica Fernandes, Tony Sax’s son and Tomazinho Cardoso.
Seen at Extreme left Xavier's son & 3rd from left Xavier's wife
Mr. Veronica focused his speech on Tony Sax and more on the comedian Xavier Mendes one of the sons of the legendary Konkani Stage comedians Anthony Mendes who according to me was not only one of the best but the best comedian of Konkani Stage so far. Those who saw the Konkani Movie “Amchem Noxib” will surely have the taste of Mendes power while others like me who also saw him acting on the Stage must have tasted the real taste of his comedy much more. He never bastardised the Konkani Stage by using filthy and vulgar language as it is currently done in some of our Tiatros. The more horrible thing to know is that some of the directors are practically involved in pushing some of the bastardised comedians especially those “kalche porche potte” to use the vulgarity in their Tiatros. And when they are criticized for disgracing the Konkani Stage thru vulgarity they react negatively. One of them was the one who like a slave was licking my shoes at my place even late at nights begging with me like a beggar to feed him with the good matter to script his political Tiatros and to compose his political songs. I never came across such a “Beiman” tiatrist. Good that in short time only he showed me his true colours. He should know one proverb in Konkani “Eka Kapddan Bail Mathari Zaina”.
Compeer
Xavier Mendes along with his other two brothers, eldest Felix and youngest Derek helped me in my campaign from Kuwait to work for the cause of Konkani by way of acting in our Tiatros staged to raise funds for NOVEM GOEM Konkani Daily. Even otherwise they as Mendes Bros. stood by us for any good cause of Konkani and Goa.
William
Unfortunately, many of the Goans who did so much for Konkani cause from Kuwait are neglected and forgotten in Goa. If Konkani cause gained so much of success for its cause it was partly because of the strong financial support came from Kuwait. Now government is giving aid and grant but that time there was no such grants and hence Kuwaitkars played their role well. Those who are not aware of this should know now.
Tomazinho Cardoso
In his speech the son of Tony Sax highlighted the excellent work his father did as a tiatrist and as a father to them. It was a very touching tribute coming from the son to his father, only highly intellectual and matured persons full of wisdom can speak like this.
Photos of the five artistes
Speaking on the subject, Tomazinho Cardoso lamented the discipline of the tiatrists WHO failed to attend this meet. He also spoke on the new book coming shortly on the dead tiatrists
Tony Sax's son
May their soulsrest in peace.
A.Veronica Fernandes.