Continuing his series on the origins of Tiatr, JOHN GOMES (KoKoY) highlights some of the milestones in the field. Stage stalwarts like Souzalin, Remmie Collaco, M Boyer, Alfred Rose and others enthralled audiences worldwide.

IN THE YEAR 1904 (22/11),Joao Agostinho Fernandes was the pioneer in introducing a lady in tiatr presentation – his wife Regina enacting three different roles in his drama Bhattkara at Gaiety (present Capitol Cinema) near Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai. It has to be noted that ladies on Marathi, Gujarati and Bengali stages appeared much later in 1934 and thereafter. Males used to impersonate female characters till then.

- 1910: ‘Pai Tiatrist’ cut a disc on HMV Records with Mog Mirmireancho – a hit followed by Goemcheo Zati & Gupit Mog in the company of his daughter Sofia and son Tony – the only surviving member of the Fernandes’ family (aged 88) living at Borda, Margao.

ALFRED ROSE: Konkani music maestro.

- 1916: Saib Rocha started his own Union Jack Dramatic Company after completing his maiden tiatr Genoviva De Brabo. As he was engrossed in writing this one, he got an offer in the Sheikhdom (Basrah). When World I broke out, Rocha had to return to Mumbai. He picked up from where he left off and upon completion presented his first tiatr with a cast of 23 actors and all members of The Union Jack like Emidio Sailor ( a Goa-born negro who sang on the stage with castor, tail coat and resembled a negro singer in an American film), C. Carneiro, Jose Pereira, etc. In 1931, there was a tussle between two permanent founder members: Louis Borges and Emidio Sailor, resulting in a split. The splinter group was replaced: Anthony Vaz, J.R. Fithna, Anthony Tooloo, M.C. Correia, J.P. Souzlin, A.R. Souza Ferrao, Manny Luis, Franco, C. Brazil and B. Vaz. It has to be noted that Union Jack Dramatic Company was the longest surviving group in the history of tiatr.

- 1936 (11.11): The first Konkani broadcasted by A.R. Souza Ferrao at A.I.R. Mumbai with music arranged by Manuel Alphonso.

- 1963: Following in the footsteps of the eternal trinity of Kid-Young-Rod, the group, Young Stars of Goa founded at Vasco-da- Gama, nursed outstanding talents into full boom - which was also responsible for putting together an unrivalled collection of tiatrists from Mumbai and Goa, and the idolised trimurti of Conception – Nelson – Anthony. After Conception and Nelson passed away, at least five sets came to the fore and the present syndicate of Joaquim-Jr. Rod-Anthony is in full swing and goes on well applauded. The trio kings asserted tiatr’s societal role supporting home-spun myths.

- 1954: When all India Radio was asked to choose four songs; one each in English, Portuguese, Hindi, and Konkani, it was Remmie Colaco, the incredible singing machine and celebrated female impersonator’s very song that was selected as the Best. The solo, Ankvar Moriechem Dukh was initially rendered on the inaugural show of Saibinniche Sat Sukhi by J.P. Souzalin at P.T. Bhangwadi-Mumbai.

Tiatrists whose performances on stage were authentic enough to get them identified with the characters they played were often treated with awe. This could even take the form of worship if the characters happened to have religious sanctity attached to it. Late Anthony D’Sa from Cuncolim (Dandora), Salcete discovered this after he appeared in the pivotal role of Jesus Christ in Souzalin’s above drama. Shalini living in the suburbs of Mumbai was venerated as Blessed Virgin Mary after her performance in the same tiatr. Singular among the tiatrists who played the archetypal roles, D’sa and Shalini acquired that aura because of the dynamism in their performances.

Stage settings, Lighting and musical score dominate tiatr today.

-1969 (25.11): J P Souzalin incorporated 21 participants enacting double and even three roles in Sam Francisk Xavier. He had three shows (at 10.00, 15.30 and 21.00 hours) on the same day at P.T. Bhangwadi. All three shows attracted house-full audiences - a record of sorts. His tiatr Hem Asa Tem was also performed at P.T. Bhangwadi as many as 27 times.

- 1978: Alfred Rose was the only Goan involved in producing the first Konkani LP and the first Goan to produce a Konkani cassette as also the first Indian to produce 40 audiocassettes as a lyricist, music arranger, music director and singer along with his family.

- 1981: Again, it was Alfred Rose, the only singer to sing a song on Mother Teresa during her lifetime. He also sang on A.R. Souza Ferrao, Kid Boxer, Reginald Fernandes and Titta Pretto when alive.

- 1974 (May): For the first time in the history of Tiatr, the Kala Academy of Goa organised the Tiatr Competition and till date has held as many as 28 such contests. These have changed the scenario and we find numerous artistes from Hindu and Muslim communities performing along with Christians on the tiatr stage. The institutions taking part brought in numerous changes like: light used in place of the whistle, shadow play introduced, concept of flashback brought in, freezing of characters at the end of each scene introduced, stage setting developed in all respects, recorded background music and the standard of script writing was improved.

- 1995 (December): President Shankar Dayal Sharma bestowed on M. Boyer the prestigious Sangeet Natak Academy Award in New Delhi. He is the only Goan to receive this honour thus far.

- 2004(24.07): Goa Social and Cultural Centre recently celebrated Eminent Goans Day at Don Bosco High School Oratory, Panjim where the darling of the masses: M. Boyer was honoured for his priceless contribution to the country.

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