H. Britton Will Live On Forever

H. Britton Will Live On Forever
●Tomazinho Cardozo


Konkani Tiatr stage is passing through a critical phase. Few months back a stalwart of Konkani stage M. Boyer and another tiatr personality, Lucas Fernandes, bid adieu to all tiatr lovers. Within a very short span of time, yet another multi-talented personality of the tiatr stage, H. Britton passed away on 24th September 2009. H. Britton’s contribution to Konkani stage is not only immense but unique too. I consider his contribution unique because his acting as a female character kept the Konkani tiatr stage alive when female artistes were reluctant to act on the Tiatr stage.


H. Britton’s real name was Hermegildo Camilo. In fact I saw him on the Tiatr stage during the yearly tiatr staged by the villagers of Britona on the occasion of the feast of Our Lady of Penha de France, in the late 1960s. If I am not mistaken, young, handsome and energetic Hermegildo had come down from Bombay to Goa for the village feast. This was clear from the announcement that had been made informing the tiatr audience that Hermegildo would sing two songs. Over 600 audience plus was eager to listen and see Hermegildo in action on the stage. Everyone in the audience was very happy. Continuous whistling by the boys from behind filled the atmosphere. I was surprised at the behaviour of the audience after Hermegildo’s name was announced. I realized that Hermegildo was very popular among the villagers. I was also informed that Hermegildo was acting in the tiatr after a gap of four years. Naturally people were anxious to see the acting of their most talented young artiste from the village at that time.

At last Hermegildo came on the stage with his inimitable style and rendered a song which sent the whole audience into pills of laughter. He was called again and again by the audience. But the best in Hermegildo was yet to come. The second song rendered by Hermegildo was excellent. He dressed as a girl and rendered the song in his unique style. His attire, his body movements, his actions and facial expressions mesmerized the audience. He was a perfect young lady criticizing the boys in her song. Although he criticized boys in that song, the boys in the audience could not resist in whistling more and more to bring him back on the stage again and again. He was the darling of the villagers of Britona at that time and hence they
called him Hermegildo and not H Briton although he had become a very prominent artiste in that name on the tiatr stage in Bombay at that time.

H. Britton’s singing, dancing and acting as a female character has no parallel in the history of Tiatr. He dominated the Tiatr stage as a female artiste for a long time although he had to go abroad in between for better prospects. After returning back he again embraced his first love – the tiatr. Besides being a very good singer and actor, he was a superb lyricist too. His composition was not only rich in content but
also full of wit and humour. He must have composed over 700 songs besides singing thousands of songs with other tiatr artistes including M. Boyer, Jacinto Vaz, and others.

He wrote and directed full length tiatrs too. His first tiatr was “Ekvottachem Foll” which was a hit. Some of his popular tiatrs which have won the hearts of the people were: “Custom Officer”, “Jivit Kuwaitchem”, “Bebdo Put”, “Bunhad Naslolem Ghor”, etc. However, as a singer, he has captured the hearts of the people. He has many albums to his credit. His songs namely ‘’Bandra Fest’ and ‘Pandu Lapiao’ has become a part and parcel of our cultural heritage.

As a female artiste of the tiatr stage he was responsible to keep the flag of Konkani Tiatr flying high when there was scarcity of girls to act in Tiatrs. He filled that vacuum then and saw that Tiatr not only lives but lives as a vibrant dramatic form of Goa.

(This Article was published by Times of India (Goa) dated 26th September, 2009)
Picture courtesy: www.goa-world.com

Antonette Mendes, a legend of Konkani stage

Antonette, a legend of Konkani stage
By J P Pereira

The Konkani stage has witnessed Antonette Mendes, as an actress, a singer and a director as well. For more than three decades, this veteran has been regaling the ‘tiatr’ audience and lovers of Konkani songs, with her unique style of acting and melodious voice.

Antonette made her debut on the Konkani stage in ‘Aum To Tarvotti’, a play written and presented by her father, A K D’Souza. She sang a solo and wanted to continue singing. However, her father insisted that she also should try her acting and became one of the most sought after actress in those days. Roles were offered in dramas by the late C Alvares, Alfred Rose, J P Souzalin, and Kid Boxer. She continued acting for M Boyer, Prem Kumar, Master Vaz and many others. Later, she wrote and directed her own ‘tiatr’, ‘Abgath’, ‘Tum Saiba Konn’ and ‘Khoinchem Mhojem Ghor’, along with her husband, late Romeo Mendes.

Antonette has acted in two of the best Konkani films produced till date. Her appearance in ‘Amchem Noxib’, a pretty 16 year old opposite a great comedian, the late Anthony Mendes, is remembered till today. There she was, prancing and singing ‘Tum nasloi punn tuka sweaterkori’. In ‘Nirmonn’, her rendition of the song ‘Claudia’ made it one of the greatest hits of Konkani music. There were others too. ‘Pitti Pitti Mog’, ‘Pixem’, ‘Bebdem’, ‘Norsichem Fugasanv’ and those M Boyer’s hits, ‘Dothi Magon’ and ‘Zati’. Some recorded on the HMV label, others produced by private companies. Her own releases, include ‘Jivit Ek Sopon’, ‘Vailankanni’ and ‘Raiturchi Imaj’, on audio cassette.

A comedy role in Jagdish Narulla’s Hindi film, ‘Mohabbat Zindagi Hai’ and a major role in Cyrus Mistry’s English play ‘The Legacy of Rage’, where she plays a subtly manipulative woman, are the other highlights of her career. The state government felicitate her, for her qualitative contribution to Goan culture.

Antonette considers herself lucky to have succeeded in her career, in those days when women were relegated to the kitchen. She is grateful to her family, for all the support and encouragement she received from them. She advises new comers to work hard, to achieve one’s goals, as there are no short cuts to success. Young script writers should bring about a change in society, concentrate on family ties, and make society aware of the consequences of family break-ups.

During her career spanning more than 30 years, Antonette has toured east Africa, England and the Gulf countries. She still sings and acts, made a come back in her son in law’s Jose Rod’s comedy hit ‘Mauli’ and recently played a major role in the revival of M Boyer’s ‘Ekuch Rosto’.

(courtesy: www.navhindtimes.com)

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“JIVIT EK SOPON”
by Antonette & Romeo Mendes

Legend: A = Antonette; R - Romeo

A: Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha

I
A: Chintlear mojem, jivit ek sopon
Noxib kallokan, ravlem lipon
Asleanv dogaim, sangatan ximpon
Khoro mog amchea, kallzan vompon

Dialogue:

A: Zanant tumi, mozoi novro asa
Ani to fokot mhaka cimitirin mevta
Ani mozo khu-u-u-u-p mog korta
Atam to mhaka mellonk ietolo

Chorus
R: Lal-la-la-la-la-la-a-a-a
A: Ho poi to, ho poi to ailo
R: Lal-la-la-la-la-la-a-a-a
A: Darling I love you
R: Lal-la-la-la-la-la-a-a-a
La-la-la-la-a-a

R: Kitlo teomp pasun tum moji, pollovn ravteleim vatt
A: Tujea vinnem ravonozo, ugddass ieta dis rat
R: Sangatan bonvtalevm, ghalun hathan hath
Derepent mornan, getlo mozo ghat

II
A: Xikleanv dogaim, ekech Collegin
Mogachem amchea, kallzak poddlem khinn
Sonvsar koddu, lagta tuje vinn
Fugar zavn roddtam, konnancher korum xinn

Dialogue:

A: Zannaim Brian, lok mhaka pixem mhunntat
Kiteak zannaim, ami mog kortanv mhunnon
Punn tum mhaka mevtoch, hanv sogllem visortam darling
Khorench hanv tuka sangtam, hanv sogllem visortam

Chorus
R: Lal-la-la-la-la-la-a-a-a
A: Lal-la-la-la-la-la-a-a-a
R: Lal-la-la-la-la-la-a-a-a
A: La-la-la-la-a-a

R: Tujea kallzan mhaka dovrun, ogddaitai ankvarponn
A: Ekleachoch hanvem mog kela, dusreacher lagonam mon
R: Sakrament zoddunk pavlonam, sukachem dar zalem bond
R: Koslo faido ghevn, bonvtai pixeaponn

III
A: Dogaimcheo chitti, vachun igorzanim
Kazar zavnk asleanv, thoddeach disanim
Dorun geloi, mogachi nixanni
Kazari amrut, chaklenam dogaimnim

Dialogue:

A: Resperadis, hanv igorjen vetelim
Deddo, fulancho turo mojea hathan divn, mojea poleacho kiss getolo
Magir padri amchem resper kortolo
Uprant, tum mozo poti ani hanv tuji potin
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-a-a

Chorus
R: Lal-la-la-la-la-la-a-a-a
A: Lal-la-la-la-la-la-a-a-a
R: Lal-la-la-la-la-la-a-a-a
A: La-la-la-la-a-a

R: Fuddar kor tujea jivitak, ghalun bonvonakaim fas
A: Avaz tuzo aikonk ieta, mhaka tum disonaim khas
R: Moron moji mathi zali, zavnk kazar dileli bhas
Porot tuka mevchonam, itlean sodd moji as.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/message/10912

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/message/11493___________________________________________________

http://www.goa-world.com/goa/tiatr&tiatrist/p59.htm
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http://www.parrikar.org/misc/antonette_pittipitti.ram


http://www.goa-world.com/goa/tiatr%26tiatrist/p59.htm
ANTONETTE & ROMEO MENDES


Antonette Mendes mull ganvan Vhoddlem Goem, punn tem zolmolem ani vaddlem Bombaim ani atam aplea kuttamba sangatak Bandra ravta. Fattlim 33 vorsam Konknni palkar tem dista.

1960 vorsa tem poilech pavtt Konknni palkar dislem aplea paichea, A.K. Dsouza, hachea tiatrant "Aum To Tarvotti". Antonete-ak tiatrant nhespachi bilkul khoyi nasli, punn tachea bapain taka forsan
mhonnllelea porim aplea tiatrant ghatleam, je vorvim uprant tem yaunk pavlem ek bhou prozollit nokhetr Konknni palkachem. Survatek palkar tem Marie Antonette nanvant aillem.

Antonette, hannem nhoich fokot bhumika keleat, bogor tannem apleam kantaram vorvim tiatr-pollenaranchea kallzannim apleak ek kherit yogo mellounk dovorla. Eka kallar tiatr pollennar tacher pixe zatale, ani tem aplem git gavpak palkar bhitor sortanch talliancho pavs korun taka ievkar ditale. Konknni palkar tachem poilem git zaun assa "Naum Mhojem Escolas". Konknni film "Amchem Noxib", hantun tannem gailelem omor ugddasachem git mhollea "Tum Nasloi Punn Tuka Sweater Kori", jem tem Anthony Mendes, hache vangdda gaita. Tachim her hit kantaram zaun asat "Pitti Pitti Mog", "Pixem", ani "Bebdem".

Tendnachea ani atanchea akanth digdorspi J.P. Souzalin, Kid Boxer, Master Vaz, C. Alvares, Prem Kumar, Alfred Rose, M.Boyer, adi., hanchea tiatranim tem nheslam. Tacheo chodd apurbaiecheo bhumika zaleo Prem Kumar, hachea "Angounn", M. Boyer-achea "Sounsar Sudhorlo", Kid Boxer, hachea "Fuddar", heam tiatramni. Tech porim Jose Rod, hannem halinch palkar haddlelea "Mauli" non-stop show-ant tannem bes bori bhumika kelli.

Antonette, hannem "Abgath", "Tum Saiba Konn", ani "Khuinchem Mhojem Ghor?". He tin tiatr boroun palkar dakhoileat, te xivai aplea pain boroilolo "Dilolo Jurament", ho tiatr tannem digdorxit korun palkar dakhoilo.

Konknni cholchitram "Amchem Noxib" ani "Nirmonn" hantun gavpa xivai tannem bhumika keleat. Jagdis Narulla, hachea "Mohabat Zindagi Hai", hea Hindi cholchitrant tannem vinodi bhumika kelea.

Antonette, hannem Konknni palkar khup khumika kealt ani gitam-i gaileant, punn tacheo kherit bhumika mhollear dukhest parti (tragedies) ani partintle dukhest "Cant". Kaim tiatramnim tannem gailele osle Cant tiatra-pollennaram modhem omor ugddasachea zaun geleat.

Gavpant, tannem jinsavar bhesamni gitam gaileant, zaun Fulwalichem, nisterkarnichem, bebdeeachem, vinodhi, dukhest avoichem, adi. Halim bhair sorteleam choddan chodd Konknni kesttimni tacho avaz aikonk mellta.

Antonette, hannem tiatr nhespak Afrikek, Inglanddak ani Gulf dhesamni bhonvddeo kelea. Tachim gitam atam cassettincher, rikorddancher, akaxvannir aikunk melltat. Survatek Antonette Dsouza aslem tem Romeo Mendes, hache kodden logn zaun Antonette Mendes zalem. Romeo Mendes zaun asa bhou purvilo Konknni kolakar, yo bhurgeponnich Star of Assnora nanvan kantorist koso Konknni palkar ailolo. Tacho bhav somplolo Anthony de Assnora tea kallar ek famad kantorist aslo. Te ganvan Assnora, Bardez. Uprant Romeo Mendes, hannem palk soddun dilem ani to maguir "Nirmonn" filmant dislo. Halinchea kallar to portun palkar distalo, punn tanchim chodd kantaram kesettincher aikopak melltat
ani Bombaichea durdixnnear to zaiteo kariavolli dita.
Questions or Comments? Please write to us at: thegoanreview@...


Special Thanks for the arrangements: Gaspar Almeida
with Fausto V. Da Costa. {Amchea kerit dhinvas Gaspar
Almeida ani Fausto V. Da Costa-k) - Goa-World Team
(Kuwait).
http://www.goa-world.com/goa/tiatr&tiatrist/


“SILVER JUBILEE”
- Sung by: Antonette, Romeo, Judy, June, Lara
(Romeo Mendes' first Konkani album "JIVIT")


Legend: A&R = Antonette & Romeo; JJL = Judy, June, Lara

I
A&R: Munis sonvsarant ieta tednam, Dev boroita noxib munxeachem
Sonvsarantli dovlot kabar zait, ghevn vexi tor suk jivitachem
Ghov-bailecho ekvott uronk, ekvottak zai bessanv Devachem
Ponchvis vorsam sangat korunk, hem vortovta noxib dogaimchem

Chorus
JJL: Vatt cholon altarachi, bandli gantt sakramentachi
Ami celebrate kortanv tumchi, Silver Jubilee kazarachi
Vatt cholon altarachi, bandli gantt sakramentachi
Ami celebrate kortanv tumchi, Silver Jubilee kazarachi

II
A&R: Mog korun ami kazar zal’leanv, khoxen dis sarunk daste vinn
Ekvottacho ho ruk dogaimcho, rukak follam Devan dileant tin
Bhurgim mhunnchem dovlot gharachi, sodanch ami dovrunk zai motin
Aiz ponchvis vorsam zalint purim, tum ani hanv zalear poti-potin

Chorus
JJL: Khoxen bhorla jiv amcho, pollovn ekvott daddy-mummycho
Mogacho ho bandpas tumcho, Golden Jubilee zaisor urcho
Khoxen bhorla jiv amcho, pollovn ekvott daddy-mummycho
Mogacho ho bandpas tumcho, Golden Jubilee zaisor urcho


III
JJL: Khoxen celebrate kortanv ami, dis kazarachea Silver Jubilee-cho
Daddy-mummycho ekvott uronk, ami upkar attoitanv Devacho
Tosoch anvddo ek asa kallzan, magtanv Devan to puro korcho
Vonttanim kellim khai pasun, tumcho ekvott osoch dovorcho

Chorus
JJL: Vaitt chintnam korun poro, sonvsar tumi kelo boro
Tumchea mogacho ekvott khoro, amchem boreponn povnk urlear puro
Vaitt chintnam korun poro, sonvsar tumi kelo boro
Tumchea mogacho ekvott khoro, amchem boreponn povnk urlear puro
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“INDIRA GANDHI”
- by Romeo Mendes

I
Kantar mhunnon as bhagoitam kallzachi
Sangonk zainam tarik amchea mornanchi
Borovn urteli 31 tarik Outumbrachi
Tea disa sompli Indira Gandhi maim Indiechi

Chorus
Tuji khobor gazli chearui konnxeanim
Sonvsarantle leader roddlet dukhanim
Ghatki moronn eit mhunn chintlenam amim
Tuzo ghath ghetlo tujeach rakonnddaranim

II
Sonvsarak sangoi zogddim-zuzam nakat mhunn
Xanti korunk dusrea ganvanim vocho apunn
Non-violence korun gullieo dovorleot samballun
Koslo faido teoch gullieo ghevn gheli apunn

Chorus
Nimnni uloili Orissa ganvan
Rogot xinvraiteli mhunn Indiechea nanvan
Him utram tujim azun assat monan
Tuvem chintlenaim moronn ravta mhunn ghoran

III
Jawarlal Nehru Indiecho Prime Minister poilo
Tachi dhuv, Indira Gandhi, maan kedo vhoddlo
16 vorsam raj cholovn maan tuvem zoddlo
16 vorsank 16 gullieo ghevn prann soddlo

Chorus
Familin tin Prime Minister ked’dem nanv
Pai, dhuv, aiz tuzo put choloita ganv
Rajiv Gandhi Indiechem satisfasanv
Main korunk nam tem putan korunk magtam hanv.




____________________________________________________________________
(From Dom’s antique shelf!)

Updating News on the Tiatr Fraternity of Goa: TIATR 'TUJEA UGDDASAK'

Updating News on the Tiatr Fraternity of Goa: TIATR 'TUJEA UGDDASAK'

TIATR 'TUJEA UGDDASAK'

'TUJEA UGDDASAK'
Piddek boli poddun, tornnech pirayer mon’xacher okosmat mornn ailear, tachea ghorcheank dukh bhogta. Jivim astona tanche khatir kainch ek korunk zaunk na dekhun, mornna uprant tanchea omor ugddasak somazant kitem-i korun, tosleank kallza-monant sodamkal jivim dovrunk proyotn zata mhonn Patrick Dourado 'Tujea Ugddasak' hea aplea tiatrant dakoll korta.
Pordesant astona, aplo sakramentacho ghorkar Clinton (Ulhas Tari) aplea sangata jiyetana, Mable (Dola) eka Keralachea M D Nayar (Ave)-chea mogant poddta. Gõyam yeupache vatter astona-i, Nayarak Gõyam haddunk Mable soglli bondabost korta.
Suela (Sonali) pordesant aslolea aplea bhava Clinton-achea mogak axeta, punn aple ghorkarnnichem aikun, to aple avoy Luciak (Antonette de Calangute) ani bhoinnik kenddta ani pois dovorta. Aple sasumainchem ghor pornnem dekhun, aplea ghorkarak aple muttient dovrun, Mable aplea ghorkara sangata aplea bapai (Mario de Vasco)-chea gharant pennem korta.
Tanchi ek dis bhett gheunk ailolim astona, Clinton pordesant thaun aple avoik dhaddlolea duddvancho hixeob magta. Aple sasumain borim nhesnnam ghalun, soglle duddu ogddaile mhonn Mable somzota, punn dhaddlole soglle duddu Suelache pidde fattlean moddle mhonn Lucia aplea putak sangta.
Dusre vatten, Mableak bhurgeam sovem koslich doya-maya na ani Sonalik sodanch kenddta dekhun, tanchea ekvottak ek-ui bhurgem na mhonn tacho bapui tachea tonddar marta. Aplea ghorkarak 'divorce' diun, aplea novea mogea thaim ekvott zoddpachim sopnam sopneun, Mable aplem sogllem bhangar ani duddu choryam Nayarak dita.
Mableak divors diun, aple avoik ani bhoinnik bhett diunk gel'lo astona, Suela-che 'blood cancer' pidde vixim Clintonak kollun yeta. Punn chodd uxir zal'lean, Suela aplea bhavachea hatant prann soddta.
Bhoinnichea omor ugddasak ani durbollanchi seva korchea monan, Clinton koslo nirnnoy gheta kai? Konn konnak fottoita ani xevottak konnacho ghat zata, tem tiatrachea dusrea bhagant bes bore toren dakoilam.
Komedi babtint, Emil (Joana)-a aplea sangata Sally, Richard ani Joaquimk gheun, lokak pottbhor hansoitat.
Kantaram vixim, Aniceto-chem 'Gõyche Khellgoddi,' Andrew-chem 'Nirdukai,' Joaquim Cabral-achem 'Borem Kor,' Ave-chem 'Devan Dhaddlam,' Marcus Vaz-achem 'Follam,' Aniceto-Andrew-Marcus-anchem 'Monis vo Sunnim' ani Mica-Sonali-Haswin-anchem 'Kochro' aikopa sarkim aslim ani boro sondex ditalim.
V.Ixtt Patrick Douradok porbim dita ani fuddarak anik-ui voznadik tiatr machier dakoun, Konknni machi odik girest korunk magta. Digdorspeachem Mon: Patrick Dourado -18 vorsanche pirayer hanvem tiatr borounk survat keli. Aiz meren hanvem 25 khell-tiatr ani 40 tiatr machier sador keleat. -'Nagovnnechi Girestkay' ho mhozo poiloch tiatr. -Kuttumbik vixoy monant golloun, mhoje tiatr boroitam. -Aiz choddxe nove tiatrist boroupi, digdorspi chukon zaleat.. Thodde duddvanchea nettar zaleat. Thoddeank hanvem rosto dakoila. -Adlea ani atanchea tiatr pollenaram modem ontor asa. Aiche tiatr pollevpi vegllech asat. Tankam novem kitem-i zai ani vangddach pozddem dakholear tankam avoddta ani toslem lok 'appreciate' korta.

P AGXEKAR
www.v-ixtt.com