Deeply shocked to know of the death on the 10th of this month, of once renowned Tiatrist and a great songster F.X. Pereira in London where he was living along with his family since a long time now. His birth place in Goa is Cortalim same as that of the legendary Tiatrist the late Minguel Rod. It is very sad to see so many of our senior Tiatrists are bidding adieu to this planet.
F.X. Pereira in Kuwait singing on the Stage.
F.X. Pereira is not only one of the best Tiatrists but more than that he was the best human being with very high discipline, good moral background, never using foul language and totally against the vulgarity displayed on the Stage by the “Burxe” comedians. All his superb qualities were totally different from the qualities of majority of the other Tiatrists. A deeply religious man he always followed the Chriistian doctrine in his life besides being very humble. He never suffered from the empty superiority complex normally associated with the tin-pot Tiatrists.
FX Pereira in the Centre leading the Manddo in Kuwait
He came to Kuwait somewhere in 1977 and along with Mendes Bros he started his Tiatro career in Kuwait at Keefan Hall in the same year when he rendered two most precious songs, namely A-B-C and “Missachi Bhett Konkanin” in front of the Hall-packed audience who showered him with love and affection. Thereafter he became the most adorable Tiatrist in Kuwait among all based in Kuwait. Some of his songs he rendered along with Verna Bros., namely Francis and the late Patrick, so also with the late Tony Call. All his songs were meaningful and social and family issues. The beauty of his songs concentrated mainly on his beautiful and melodious voice
FX is seen in Kuwait with Prince Jacob.
Being a highly respectable and dignified man in society and in the community as well, he lived a decent life with his family till he left for UK. As a compassionate and charitable man, he helped many boys in getting them employment at Ahmadi Oil Center and always participated in any activity organized for any good cause mainly the Konkani.
Seen attending a high profile meet in Kuwait of Goa-Kuwait Solidarity
In early seventies he shot into limelight with the above mentioned two songs and before coming to Kuwait in 1977 working at Ahmadi KOC Center where he won the hearts of Kuwaitis and Westerners too under whom he worked, he won first prizes for being best solo singers in the competition organized by Kala academy, Panjim. In Kuwait Ahmadi Church he was very active in conducting especial prayers on every Friday in Konkani where he used to sing the different beautiful hymns with his melodious voice.
FX is seen in the middle during one meeting
He was a great lover of Goa and Konkani and when we started our movement in Kuwait under Novem Goem Pratishthan Kuwait Somiti to raise funds for the people’s daily “Novem Goem”, he volunteered to stage his Tiatro “Kon Zait Tho” where not a single participant charged a paisa and thus we collected over a lakh of rupees major share coming from the excellent Souvenir we released. He was very helpful in participating in any activity done for the cause of Konkani. He was one of the few Tiatrists whose contribution in the promotion of Konkani will remain written in golden letters. May his soul rest in peace and may the Heavenly God give courage to his wife and children to bear this colossal loss. His death is a big loss to Konkani Stage. May his soul rest in peace.
A.Veronica Fernandes.