Report: Tomazinho Cardozo, Tiatr Academy president
Inputs: John Claro Fernandes
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (SP)

Panaji, May 28: The birth centenary celebrations of versatile Tiatr artiste, Konkani radio artiste, writer, theatre and cine actor, the late A R Souza Ferrao, will begin at 5.30 pm on June 1 at  Pai Tiatrist JAF Auditorium, Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. On the occasion, A Tiatr performance of 'Gouvyo Put', written by the late Ferrao about  60 years ago, directed by well known Tiatr artiste Anil Kumar with the participation of artistes Jessie, Fatima, Angela, Marcos Vaz, Xavier Gomes, Antony San, C D'Silva, Conny M, Mil-Mel-Nel, Antush and comedian Jesus and Ben Evangelisto in addition to several others, will be presented. Music for the Tiatr will be provided by Carlio while Saldanha is in charge of stage setting.

On the second of June, a string assemble of instrumental music on violins, violas and cello by Theresa Figueiredo, Goretti Pinheiro, Chernol Mendonca, Antonio Fernandes, Lourdes Soares, Celina Andrews and Marisa Andrews will be presented. Marianella Mascarenhas e Dias will lead a programme of ‘Goyenchim Noketram’, comprising of Mando, Dulpods and other Goan folk songs. Cansauleche Kala Mogi will present a programme titled, 'to Souza Ferrao with love,' a tribute to the great, versatile Konkani stage and cine artiste.  A choral rendition of songs from Ferrao's films like Amchem Noxib, Nirmonn, Sukachem Sopon, Kortubancho Sonvsar, Boglantt and Bhuierantalo Munis will highlight the contribution of Ferrao to the Konkani film world as a lyricist, actor and singer.

Programmes slated on both the above days are open to public. Through a release, Tomazinho Cardozo has requested all the lovers of music, especially of Konkani Tiatr, song and music, to attend the said birth centenary celebrations in large numbers. The celebrations are being organized by A R Souza-Ferrao Cultural and Charitable Trust in collaboration with Tiatr Academy.

Profile

Born on June 1, 1909 at Ambora - Raia, Salcete, Goa as the child of Joaquim Mariano Souza and Maria Cecilia Ferrao, Augusto Remedios Souza Ferrao studied in the Parchial School, Margao. He then continued studies in the government primary school in Portuguese. After completing his Portuguese 'Segundo Grau', Ferrao joined the Catholic Educational Institute to study English. To hone his artistic skills, he studied at J J School of Art, Bombay. In spite of being busy acting on Tiatr stage during his school days, Ferrao never neglected his studies. He learnt music and violin at the Parochial School. Since his childhood, he had a good voice and flair for acting.

Ferrao was introduced to the Tiatr stage by Basilio Furtado from Chinchinim through the role of princess Diana, a female character in the drama, 'Naddponn Amigachem' which was staged at Clube Harmonia Hall, Borda.  Ferrao acted wonderfully and the songs he sung became instantly popular. He opted to have his surname as Souza-Ferrao by combining the surnames of his parents, as there were too many Souzas in the Tiatr community then.  Ferrao acted with all the famous Konkani playwrights and directors of his era like Joao Agostinho Fernandes, Saib Rocha, J P Souzalin, Jack Aquila, Rogaciano Ernest Rebello, John Lazarus D'Souza etc.

Souza-Ferrao received lot of accolades for his performance in a show, along with Luis Borges also from Goa, to perform at Royal Opera, Bombay alongside famous Porguguese actor Silva Sanches, during Silva's visit to Bombay. Ferrao and the other Goan artiste were hand-picked by the then Portuguese consul.

Souza-Ferrao was the first Konkani artiste to broadcast the maiden Konkani musical programme on All India Radio, Bombay on November 11, 1936.  He himself produced the programme with music by Manuel Alphonso. He was an excellent composer of lyrics and music besides being a wonderful singer. Several of his hit songs were recorded by HMV and other companies.

Souza-Ferrao was the only Konkani artiste to have been invited to perform at Delhi on the occasion of Republic Day in the year 1954 and 55. 'The Goan Folk Song and Dance Party' led by Souza-Ferrao was adjudged as the best and Ferrao received lot of praise from the then President of India Dr Rajendra Prasad and Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. His folk dances were included in the documentary, 'The folk dances of India,' produced by the central government. In addition to the folk dances troupe, Souza-Ferrao also had his own drama troupe called 'Jolly Brothers Dramatic Club' through which he encouraged the youngsters to enter the Tiatr stage.

Out of many plays scripted and directed by Souza-Ferrao, 'Almam Vetat Sorgar', 'Pech-Pech', 'Kazari Okol', Ghatkeponn', 'Zotkaxi', Santan Bavdi', Govio Put' and ‘Pichem Farikponn’ became hits. Besides helping many playwrights to stage their shows, he directed several of the plays by Joao Agostinho Fernandes. Souza-Ferrao firmly believed that good singing, dancing and acting are essential elements that go into the making of a good artiste.

Ferrao was a multi-faceted personality who could fit in to any role. He portrayed different roles on the Tiatr stage like Cheddum, old man, old woman, Hindu, Mangalorean, landlord, mad man, drunkard etc. However, his forte was Goan Kunnbi roles.

Ferrao acted in several important films, starting with 'Amchem Noxib' that was a big hit, 'Nirmonn', 'Sukhachem Soponn', Mhuji Ghorkarn', 'Kortubancho Sounsar', 'Jivit Amchem Oxem', Bhuieranlo Munis', 'Boglantt' etc.

In addition to being a stage and cine actor, he was a gem of a person in real life. He always cared for the poor and the downtrodden in particular and he was always ready to stage shows that served the society.  When Governor Gabral's wife wanted to raise funds for the tuberculosis patients during the Portuguese times, Dr Froilano de Melo and Dr Victor Dias asked Souza-Ferrao to help. He organized numerous shows in different villages in aid of the T B patients of Goa. In tune with the wishes and ideals cherifhsed by the late Souza-Ferrao, A R Souza-Ferrao Cultural and Charitble Trust, has been established to promote his ideals.

Souza-Ferrao breathed his last on March 6, 1978 at St George Hospital, Bombay when he was 69. He was the greatest artiste the Konkani stage ever produced.  His memories have been immortalized by way of his sweet voice we hear in gramaphone records and movies. The Goan artistes while performing on stage, always remember Souza-Ferrao as an actor par excellence, who had a vision for the Goan Tiatr, song and music.