World renowned architect visited the House of "Pai Tiatrist"

World renowned architect visited the House of "Pai Tiatrist" Joao Agostinho Fernandes at 306 Modsai Margao Goa in mid October 2008 at the invitation of this writer to examine the feasibility of restoring the 140 year old home and preserving it for posterity.

This follows the earlier visit of Shri Shantaram L Naik the Rajya Sabha MP who visited the House, at the instance of this writer and was impressed by the desire of the family viz his daughter-in-law Ms Ana Maria Carolina Quadros Fernandes and his grand-daughter Sharmila Fernandes to fulfill the wishes of "Pai Tiatrist" and his son late Tony Fernandes to preserve the same. Mr Naik promised Government assistance towards this end and also wrote to the Chief Minister thereafter.


While the issue is being pursued to its logical conclusion, it must be appreciated that several playwrights have assured similar support for the same once the plans for restoration are in place by Architect Gerard Da Cunha who is working on the same.

This will be a tribute of sorts to not only Pai Tiatrist but also his spouse Ms Regina Fernandes who was the first lady to act on stage on 22/11/1904 when no other woman set foot on stage fearing social stigma.


GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES,
BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. (INDIA)
+91 98221 58584 (24 HRS)
gonsalvesgodfreyji@yahoo.co.in

[Pictures provided by Godfrey J.I. Gonsalves]
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